I recently posted on social media that even though my 3.5-year-old has officially dropped his nap, every time we’re in the car between 1 and 3 PM, he falls asleep! (Unless we’re listening to Danny Go—then it’s all dancing, jumping, and singing!)
So why is this happening?
If most advice online says toddlers drop their last nap around age 3, and he’s perfectly fine when we’re at home, why does he still doze off in the car? Should I let him nap or wake him up? And if he does nap, for how 1long?
Toddler Sleep Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Toddlers are a whole new level of sleep challenge, and every child is different. That’s why there’s no universal answer to when and how they should drop their last nap. Instead, you need to tune into your toddler’s unique needs—it might look completely different from your friends’ kids or even your older children’s experiences.
Some Sleep Facts to Consider
Toddlers typically drop their last nap after age 3—but not always. Some kids continue napping until they’re 4 or even 5. Fun fact: not too long ago, kindergarteners actually had nap time! So if your 3.5-year-old still seems to need a nap, that’s completely fine—follow their cues.
Some toddlers nap sporadically. If your child only seems to need a nap on certain days, that’s normal too! Some kids nap every other day, only on weekends, or once every few days. It’s all about finding what works for your little one.
Signs that it might be time to adjust the nap: If your toddler still naps but is showing signs like:
Taking a long time to fall asleep at bedtime
Waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to go back to sleep
Waking up unusually early in the morning
They might be under tired and not building enough sleep pressure. If this sounds familiar, try shortening the nap to 45 or even 30 minutes and see how that works. Some trial and error may be needed!
What if your toddler already dropped the nap but still struggles with sleep? It’s possible they’re actually overtired. (I know—it contradicts the last point, but toddler sleep can be tricky!) Overtired toddlers can show similar sleep struggles, so consider reintroducing a nap every other day or opting for an earlier bedtime.
What Works for Us
For my little one, we’ve found a balance:
He naps in the car on the way back from preschool about once a week, but only for 25 minutes.
We prioritize an early bedtime every night. Lights out between 6:45 and 7 PM, and he’s usually asleep by 7:10.
On days when he seems extra tired, I move bedtime even earlier—lights out by 6:40 PM.
The Bottom Line
Every toddler is different, and there’s no single right way to handle dropping the last nap. Pay attention to your child’s sleep patterns, experiment as needed, and trust that you’ll find the right rhythm for your family. And remember—some days, even a “nap-free” toddler might still sneak in some extra Zzz’s (especially in the car!).
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