The 1–0 Nap Transition:

Moving Out of Day Sleeps

The 1–0 nap transition marks the final major change to your child’s day sleep. For many families, this stage feels confusing because some days look fine without a nap, while other days completely fall apart.

This transition is less about age and more about sleep needs, temperament, and how well overnight sleep is holding together. Understanding when your toddler is truly ready, and how to support the transition without creating overtiredness, is key.

What is the 1–0 nap transition?

The 1–0 nap transition refers to the gradual move from one daytime nap to no naps at all.

As toddlers grow, their total sleep needs decrease and they are able to tolerate longer periods of wakefulness across the day. Eventually, daytime sleep is no longer required to support overnight sleep.

This transition is permanent and should be approached cautiously.

When does the 1–0 nap transition happen?

Most children move through the 1–0 nap transition between three and five years of age. Some children may show signs earlier, while others continue to benefit from a nap well into preschool.

Age alone is not a reliable indicator. Many toddlers appear ready on some days but still need a nap on others.

This is why dropping naps too early often leads to more sleep disruption rather than better nights.

Signs your child may be ready

True readiness for the 1–0 nap transition usually shows up as a consistent pattern rather than occasional resistance.

Signs may include:

  • Refusing naps most days despite adequate awake time

  • Taking a nap but bedtime becomes very late

  • Taking a nap and then struggling to fall asleep overnight

  • Managing long days without becoming overtired

  • Nights remaining settled without a nap

These signs should be present consistently over several weeks before fully dropping the nap.

When nap refusal does not mean readiness

Many toddlers resist naps for reasons unrelated to sleep needs.

Nap refusal can also be linked to:

  • Growing independence

  • Increased boundary testing

  • Stimulation or excitement

  • Fear of missing out

This is why it is important to look at the whole picture, including behaviour, mood, and night sleep, before removing naps entirely.

Nap resistance that coincides with bedtime battles or overnight disruption often indicates that sleep is still needed.

How dropping naps affects bedtime

When naps are dropped, bedtime usually needs to move earlier to prevent overtiredness.

If bedtime remains late without a nap, overtiredness can show up as:

  • Increased emotional dysregulation

  • Early morning waking

  • Night waking

  • Difficulty settling

Supporting this transition often means protecting night sleep more than focusing on how the day looks.

What does the transition look like in practice?

Many children move through a long in-between phase where:

  • Some days include a nap

  • Some days do not

  • Bedtime shifts earlier on no-nap days

Rather than forcing a full drop, many families find success with:

  • Offering quiet rest instead of sleep

  • Keeping routines predictable

  • Adjusting bedtime based on nap or no-nap days

A realistic structure for this stage is outlined in the 2+ year sleep routine, which supports toddlers as day sleep fades.

Behaviour changes during the 1–0 nap transition

As toddlers lose daytime sleep, behaviour can become more challenging temporarily.

This may show up as:

  • Increased emotional outbursts

  • Difficulty settling at night

  • More resistance around routines

  • Frequent requests after bedtime

Some children may also start getting out of bed more frequently as fatigue and boundary testing overlap.

A calm, supportive toddler environment can help reduce overstimulation and support smoother evenings during this stage.

Common mistakes during the 1–0 nap transition

Some common challenges include:

  • Dropping naps too early

  • Keeping bedtime too late

  • Expecting immediate improvement

  • Removing naps during periods of illness, travel, or big change

Gradual adjustment and flexibility tend to lead to far better outcomes than sudden removal.

Supporting your toddler through the transition

Helpful strategies during the 1–0 nap transition include:

  • Offering rest time instead of sleep

  • Using earlier bedtimes on no-nap days

  • Maintaining consistent routines

  • Keeping expectations realistic

This stage is about supporting regulation, not pushing independence.

Looking ahead

Once the 1–0 nap transition settles, many families find nights become more predictable again and evenings feel calmer.

Having guidance through toddler sleep changes can make this stage far less overwhelming.

The Toddler Course supports families through toddler sleep challenges, including nap transitions, bedtime resistance, overnight waking, and emotional development, with practical strategies that grow with your child.

The Smarter Way to Invest in Better Sleep

As your baby grows, their need for swaddling will change. Some babies transition out earlier, others later, and both can be completely normal.

If you want guidance that grows with your baby beyond the newborn stage, the 5–24 Month Infant Course supports families as sleep continues to evolve through infancy and to

Infant

5-24 Months

Toddler

2-4 Years

© Copyright The Sleepy Little Bubs All Rights Reserved.