How do you know when/if LO doesn't need nap anymore?

[Scotlian]

Posted this on "Sleep" forum but not massive response.

My DS is 2 next month and I'm not sure if he still needs a nap or not. But I need him to need a nap (!) as I have 5 month old twins too (!!) and the day is impossible otherwise. But if he has anything more than an hour ish in the day he is up at 5 am - hence me at the computer now. Aaaaah.

Any advice/experience on knowing when a toddler doesn't need a nap anymore...and what to do about it... would be very very welcome.

Frazzled thankyous.

Real protests and taking ages to get to sleep at nap time and not going to bed til later and later in the evening. I was in denial for some time when dd really didn't need hers any more. No reason to stop nap because of later bedtime if you don't mind and they are coping with next day. I was really stressed when dd gave hers up- used to drive miles in vain hope of her dropping off!

Same situation as you really. I for some reason she has a bad night or is up very early then I risk a nap but otherwise I'm stopping now because bedtime is such a nightmare otherwise.

Re needing some time, could he have some quite time in his room?

I remember this stage. My DS1 was just over 2 and I had a 3 month old. I had to stop the nap in the end as he was not going to sleep in the evening til 9pm and getting up at 5am.
To start with he would not have a nap for a day or 2 then was really tired so would have a nap on the 3rd day or so. Gradually the spacing increased.

I used to just to a quiet activity instead of the nap, reading, colouring, craft puzzles or if I needed the rest CBeebies!

Can you keep the nap but just 45 min so it is just one sleep cycle? And say put him to bed 30 min later. With maybe DH taking over the later bed time so can put your feet up after the twins have gone to bed.

That way you still get a break in the day but hopefully not horrible 5am starts.

I am always suprised at how early some children give up their nap. My DS2 napped right up until starting in reception class and then we used to put him to bed at 6.30pm to compensate for no nap in the day. He is now 6 and still naps at the weekend if I can encourage it - ie have a nap with me!

My just 2yo has dropped his nap. I put the tele on instead and he is normally tired enough to sit still for about an hour. Every few days when he is shattered he will fall asleep on the sofa whilst watching, which stops him getting too over tired.

I was worried about losing the time to do stuff but this lets me get stuff done and then the bonus is I put him down at 6:30 and he goes straight off not waking will 7 or sometime 8!