Most toddlers transition from 2 naps to 1 nap between 12 and 18 months, but timing varies.
Signs your child is ready
- morning nap gets resisted for many days
- bedtime becomes very hard after two naps
- one nap still gives good energy and mood
Step-by-step transition
1. Shorten the first nap to protect sleep pressure.
2. Move the main nap gradually later by 15-20 minutes every few days.
3. Use an earlier bedtime during transition weeks.
If bedtime gets messy
- keep the transition slower (do not jump schedule too fast)
- use a short bridge nap only when needed
- keep wake-up time fixed
How long it usually takes
Most families need 2-4 weeks to stabilize.