When do toddlers stop needing naps?

My daughter has never been much of a napper. Even when she was a young toddler, she couldn't have even a brief afternoon nap without staying up all night. At age 3, she sleeps a full 10-14 hours per night, but doesn't nap during the day. Some kids, however, continue taking naps well into their preschool years. If you're wondering when your toddler will stop taking naps, here are some facts to consider.

1. Naps are not essential for your child's health.

Although afternoon naps are beneficial for parents' convenience and for children's behavior, there is no reason that a toddler absolutely has to nap. As long as your child sleeps a total of 12-14 hours per 24-hour period, he does not necessarily need to take naps in the afternoon.

2. Most 1-year-olds need one or two naps per day.

According to Judith Owens, a pediatric sleep expert, the majority of 12-month-old toddlers need to nap at least once or twice per day, for a total about about two hours. The rest of the toddler's sleep should take place at night, although it isn't at all abnormal for a 1-year-old to awaken at various points during the night.

3. Toddlers generally continue to nap until age 2.

Between 18 to 24 months of age, the majority of toddlers will still need one nap in the afternoon, usually lasting no longer than one hour. If these continue, they can help to mitigate many of the behavioral problems associated associated with the "terrible twos."

4. Preschoolers may or may not need naps. Some, but not all, preschool-age children continue to benefit from afternoon naps. Judith Owens reports that one-half of 4-year-olds take afternoon naps. Your child's need for an afternoon nap will depend upon his personality, health, behavioral patterns, and (if applicable) the schedule of his preschool or daycare.

5. The majority of kindergarteners do not need afternoon naps. Your child probably won't need afternoon naps at age 5. Most kindergartens no longer have scheduled nap times times, but about three out of 10 children in this age group need naps after school. As your child matures physically, socially, and behaviorally, it will be increasingly less likely that he will request afternoon naps.