How Long Should My 1 Year Old Nap?

Your child's naps can make or break his day.

Lengthier Naps

Many parents choose to let their 1-year-olds nap as long as they want to; naps can sometimes go up to four hours but are generally two to three. Letting a 1-year-old determine his own nap length can make for a happy and well-rested toddler.

Shorter Naps

Some parents find that allowing a child to take lengthy naps interferes with the child's nighttime sleep. Oftentimes letting 1-year-olds take marathon four-hour naps can lead to difficulties falling asleep in the evening. In this case, parents find it beneficial to wake their child up after about two hours.

Bottom Line

According to KidsHealth.org, "Most toddlers between the ages of 1 and 2 require about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day." If your child is active, he might need upward of 13 hours, which means that if he's sleeping 10 hours at night, a three-hour nap is perfectly fine. Every child is different, so experiment with a few different nap lengths to see what works best with your 1-year-old.

References

• KidsHealth.org: "Toddlers and Sleep"