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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

3 year old still need nap

21 replies

kitkey · 14/12/2010 17:52

I know this is not that normal but my 3 year old (tomorrow!) little boy is terrible if he does not nap in the afternoon - for example he has had terrible tantrums this afternoon - at least 4- we popped to supermarket and he did fall asleep in car at 3.30pm but i woke him to go in the shop so he hasn't had a nap today and is really tired and whinging. I also have a 19 month old DS2 who naps 1-3pm and I generally watch TV or do a puzzle with DS1 and he often drops off on my lap but he didn't today and now he is terrible - as he is most days he doesn't nap. I know I shouldn't really encourage a nap at 3 and my friends little boy hasn't slept in the afternoon for a year so I feel that my sons need for a nap is odd. Any advice on how to wean from naps!?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

mamasmissionimpossible · 14/12/2010 17:55

I didn't think it odd that a 3 year old needed a nap! My dd (2.11) still has a nap every day. She is an absolute wingey nightmare if she doesn't have a nap. My ds still had naps at 3.5.

Seona1973 · 14/12/2010 17:56

My sisters son had a nap in the day till he was over 4 - he could sleep anywhere (even the stairs!! - and she has photos to prove it). Some need it and some dont. Does he sleep well at night too.

SoupDragon · 14/12/2010 18:02

DD is nearly 5 and still needs nap several times a week :) She just falls asleep if she needs to so I can't stop her.

lovecheese · 14/12/2010 18:06

Just enjoy it whilst it lasts!! 'Tis a sad day when they drop their nap. My DD1 was 3, DD2 over 4, and DD3 at 2 1/2 shows no sign of stopping! Yay!

llareggub · 14/12/2010 18:08

My son has just turned 4 and still naps occasionally. He was definitely napping daily just after he turned 3. I wouldn't try and stop it; tantrums are usually caused by tiredness!

notyummy · 14/12/2010 18:09

Dd didn't need one every day from 3 onwards, but used to have them at least 2 days a week until she was nearly 4. On holiday in the heat she still has them 4/5 days out of 7. Cue some snoozing/ reading and and loving for dh and I.

You should be revelling in it!

SkyBluePearl · 14/12/2010 21:37

My 3.5 had naps every day despite other children giving them up. He really needed them.

Tgger · 14/12/2010 21:43

Yes, don't worry about other people's children , napping at 3 is good and to be encouraged!

DS napped everyday until about 3 and 2 months and then it became a bit more as and when, but he had one or two naps a week and sometimes more until nearly 4. Even now (just over 4) I think he would be better off with a nap some days. His behaviour really deteriorates when he's tired- he goes from being a rational lovely little boy to more like a 2 year old!(in a big 4 year old's body and very articulate!!)

MogTheForgetfulCat · 14/12/2010 22:45

It's not odd! DS1 napped until well after 3, and is still sometimes tired without one at 4.10, even though he gets plenty of sleep at night. DS2 heading the same way, still napping daily at 2.10... I love it, am 32 weeks pg and I often use DS2's nap to have a doze myself .

defineme · 14/12/2010 22:48

Omg - enjoy the nap time whilst you can-toal bliss when my 3 all had a nap at the same time! I napped til I went to school when I was 4, so did all my kids.

Valpollicella · 14/12/2010 23:11

DS also need a nap (anywhere between 2 and 3 hours ) every day, and only stopped at 3.4yo as he started nursery, in the pm session. Even then for a couple of months after he'd still take himself off to bed for a couple of hours at the weekend.

Enjoy it!

polarfox · 15/12/2010 13:12

My son had naps every afternoon right up to starting reception. I must admit that I didnt discourage it (nor encouraged it!!) as he was more boisterous late aftrnoon on if he didn't!

Even now in the summer holidays when we go abroad, where we eat later, stay up later etc. he has a siesta for a couple of hours, and it agrees with hin (and me!!).
He's 6 now, but very active so I guess he does burn himself out...

BornToFolk · 15/12/2010 13:24

My 3 year old still naps. It might not be normal but it's bloody lovely! He doesn't sleep when he's at nursery (3 days a week) but when he's at home, he really needs it or he's a little horror in the afternoon. It doesn't affect bedtime, he goes to sleep at 7pm regardless.
Make the most of it!

jacquiel · 15/12/2010 13:29

Ha ha polarfox I can relate to this!
I would pick up my son from reception and regularly get told he had fallen asleep on the carpet during story time!

cubscout · 15/12/2010 17:15

My ds regularly slept at lunchtime until he went to reception (at 4 years 10 months!). The summer before he started I did make an effort to wean him off mainly so he could cope when he started school.

God help me when he's a teenager - I sense serious bed issues coming...

meandjoe · 15/12/2010 17:34

My ds is 3.4 and still has an hour and half nap every afternoon. He can manage without it but if I go anywhere in the car he dozes off if he's not had one so I think he must need a lot of sleep. He goes to nursery school every week day morning and by the time he's come home at 12 and had his lunch he's shattered. He sleeps 12 hours a night still and whilever it's not affecting his bedtime I am encouraging it!

PortlyBlackSantaUpAChimney · 15/12/2010 17:42

I can beat all of those - DS2 is 8 and still has a nap on a Sunday or if he is off school in hols (not if he is ill as he would obv need one then). I dread to think what he will be like as a teenager . Strangely it doesn't affect him at school and he has never nodded off in class. If he has an afternoon nap he still sleep all night.

Although i'm not being remotely smug as he makes up for Ds1 who hasn't slept for 10 years and still has night terrors.

Valpollicella · 15/12/2010 21:55

I think that some people are just predisposed to needing a siesta...

Hell. I grew up in Italy (for a few years) where it didn't matter how old you were, you all had a nice sleep in the pm

Valpollicella · 15/12/2010 21:56

Also, have noticed how most of the responses on here are people saying their 'DS' need naps...is it a boy thing?

Megletitsnow · 15/12/2010 21:59

My 4yo DS has naps at the weekend, usually 90 mins.

He has quiet time at nursery in the week but is shattered when we get home.

pippylongstockings · 15/12/2010 22:01

Please don't make him give up his nap if he is not ready - all you get is a grumpy child and you stressed from dealing with him.

My DS1 is 6 and he will still nap at the weekend if he feels it has been a hectic week at school. He was still napping regularly right up to starting school at 4.8 years old - I even had to go and see the Head in case he wanted to nap at school when he started, she said I could take him home if he was struggling

My DS2 still naps about 4 days out of 7 he will be 4 in the New Year. Long may it last I say......

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