Should I stop my 3.8 year old from napping?

[alittlebitbockety]

Hi - I have a 3.8 year old DS. Very physically lively, happy boisterous boy. Goes to Montessori 5 mornings a week, his Dad picks him up and they do something (usually playground), then he usually falls asleep on the couch for 40 minutes/an hour or so when they get home. He sleeps well at night (finally ) and goes to bed easily. Sometimes his nap is a bit late (maybe 5ish) and then he is tired and cranky till bedtime, but this is only sometimes.

A colleague was shocked he was still napping, and because he does sometimes nap too late, I wondered should we try and stop it now? On the other hand, I mostly feel that if he is napping, and sleeping well at night too, then he must need it. Opinions? He won't start school till September 2013 by the way.

Leave it and enjoy the quiet.

DS is just about to turn four and has only just dropped his nap (except for the odd day like today when he has had a little nap).

He will start school at the same time as your DS.

My plan had been to cut it out at four ish on the basis that it seems to take ten a good six months to readjust.

So I'd probably suggest leaving your DS til he is four and then just try cutting out every other nap and see if he does the rest?

I dont usually like pushing these things too muh as studies show children who nap concentrate and learn better.

DS is 4.8 and still naps sometimes in the day, depending on what he's been doing, how well he slept the night before and whether or not he's in the car for any length of time while tired. I'd say he has a nap maybe 3 times a week now?

I let him, so long as it's not too close to dinner time - if he starts to drop asleep around 5:30, I try to keep him awake, get some food into him and then get him into his pjs and bed asap.

However - one of the preschools he goes to still encourages an afternoon nap (it's a long day) - the shorter day one doesn't offer it.

Well I for one am not shocked as I have a 3.11 still napping! He too is happy and boisterous but more than happy at 1ish to suggest a nap himself when DS2 is going for one- most days I have to wake him after an hour as he would sleep for well over 2hrs if I didnt! He goes to bed happily at 7.30/7.45 and sleeps great til 6.30ish. Some days recently he has not napped, if we are out and about or busy and while he has struggled through to bedtime he hasnt been as rattty as he has been in the past so I guess it will end soon of its own accord
I would go with your instinct as it doesnt sound like its causing any of you any hassle. (Isnt it amazing how 'shocked' people can be over things that really shouldnt bother them?!)

Ds1 is 3.5 and sometimes he naps and sometimes he doesn't - if he does then he usually sleeps for 2hrs so obviously needs it. His sleeping is fine at night (usually does 11-12hrs). I've no intention of stopping it for the moment (with a 3mo as well I like the break ), he also goes to school sept 13 so if he's still napping when he turns 4 then I may look at trying to phase it out but he gets so grumpy & tantrumy if he doesn't get his sleep that there's not much incentive at the moment.

I would leave it and see if your ds drops his nap naturally over the next 6months.

Thanks all - looks like I'm not the only with a long term napper! I will follow my instincts and let him keep on napping for now anyway. Appreciate the replies.

DD1 napped until well past 4, she was fine once she started school (but still napped after an hour's swimming on weekends).

DD2 dropped all daytime naps before she turned two (but also napped after swimming).

I'd just let it go, it's normal.

Lucky you. :) Sounds as if he still needs it.

Sleep books say most children need naps till about 3, some till 4 or 5. A friend's daughter still needed naps at 5 when she was at reception (and really struggled then as a result). Studies suggest that children who nap do better academically, behaviourally and concentrate better (in general).

I'd cut it down or out when it makes bedtime too late. Otherwise enjoy it.

I'm just jealous - when my 2.7 y.o. has a short nap (which he does most days), he won't get sleepy till at least 9.30pm.

It's actually my DH who really benefits - I work full time, he works part time -so he is the one at home every day. I do enjoy the chance to read the paper get some housework done at weekends though.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Mine all dropped their naps stupidly early, because they all got to the point where if they even had five seconds of sleep after a certain point they couldn't get to sleep at night, and they simply weren't tired enough before that point.

Leave him be. DS was a fab napper, until over 4yo and only stopped because his little sister wouldn't leave him in peace.

DS2 always napped a lot - even when he started school - until october half term they were doing half days and he would go for the morning then sleep the afternoon. Once he was in school full time he would wake at 8am go to school 9-3.30, come home fall asleep, wake up, eat dinner and be in bed by 6. He was 5 before he fully stopped napping - some kids just need more sleep.

If he sleeps well in the evening and goes down without a fight, what's the problem? It's not like most of Southern European adults don't have a post lunch nap if they can manage it :)

My ds 3.9 is in the process of dropping his nap. I would say on average he naps every few day when tiredness catches up with him. Every 2/3 days. I only generally let him nap for 20/30 mins as any longer and it tends to impact on night time. I would say though if your ds is happily napping and sleeping through at night I would let him lead the way.