In the first years of life, the child's sleep pattern is constantly changing. Most babies sleep a lot, taking short waking breaks and snacks. Then gradually biorhythms are corrected, and the child goes into two daytime sleep. Most children give up their first day of sleep between the ages of 12 and 24 months. As you can see, the run is rather large, which clearly shows us: age is not the only criterion by which we can understand that it is time to transfer a child to one day’s sleep. This is what Elizabeth Paintley, the mother of four children and the author of many books about parenting, advises.

How to understand that the child still needs two daytime sleep

- The child does not have a year yet
  - When you lay him down, he resists, plays in the crib, but eventually he falls asleep for at least an hour or more
  - When you go somewhere by car or public transport, the baby easily falls asleep
  - If for some reason the child misses one day’s sleep, then he is naughty and shows signs of fatigue earlier than normal.
  - A child has changes in his life (a disease, the birth of a younger sibling, the beginning of classes in wrestling or nurseries), which adversely affect the quality of his sleep - both day and night
  - A child may skip a dream when you are on a trip or are simply out of the house (for example, in a queue at a clinic), but falls asleep as usual at home.

What is dangerous too early transition to one day of sleep

According to Paintley, the crisis period of two-year-olds, the so-called terrible twos, is explained not by the fact that children are simple, but by the fact that parents deprive them of one of their two daytime dreams too early. She believes that many Toddlers are transferred to one dream at a time when they are not biologically ready for this (the baby needs good sleep in the morning for full brain development). And they react to such interference in the regime with bad behavior and sharp mood swings.

How to understand that a child is already enough one day nap

- When you try to put the baby on the first day's sleep, he is naughty or plays, and then stably falls asleep for a very short period of time or does not fall asleep at all
  - The child does not fall asleep during a short trip in transport
  - When a child misses the first daytime sleep, he feels well, eats well, plays and does not show signs of fatigue
- The child sleeps well and soundly in the second day's sleep.

How to transfer a child to one day sleep

First, do not dramatize too much. It is clear that for a parent on leave to care for a child - daytime sleep - this is an opportunity to drink coffee, do the dishes, watch the series and read the NaN. But let it be better for you to have at your disposal a full two hours of free time in a row than two stubs of 40 minutes each when you do not have time.

Secondly, treat the transition to one day's sleep as an inevitable change of regime, and not as a natural disaster that overtook you suddenly. Give yourself and your child time to mentally prepare for a new daily routine.

Have patience: one child may need a couple of weeks to go to sleep, and another couple may take another month. At this time you can:
  - Especially closely monitor the condition of the baby - as soon as he starts to act up and torment you, put him down. Soon you will know that, for example, hour X is at 13:00, and by this time it would be good not only to pick it up from the site, but also to feed
  - Considering that you still have two afternoon sleep. Just instead of the first one, you may just have time for reading or quiet games, such a kind of sensory discharge and recharge.
  - Choose to sleep the average time between your former first and second daytime sleep. For example, he went to bed for the first time at 10, and the second at 14 o'clock. So, a good time to try to lay him down to sleep will be about noon. Make sure that by this time the child has already had time to play, take a walk, and go crazy.
  - Watch the mode. Try to wake up and pack the child at the same time every day (in this sense, it is good discipline to attend a part-time group or some other institution with classes in the morning). If you notice that the baby wants to take a nap during the day a little earlier than you had planned, pack it up, and in the evening start the bedtime ritual for 40-60 minutes earlier than usual.

Beginning at 12 months, most children sleep 1.5–3 hours during the day, usually in two doses, and can stay awake 3–3.5 hours before the first day’s sleep and 3.5–4 hours between the end of the first day and the start of the second day’s sleep. As they mature, these periods may gradually increase by 15-30 minutes at a time.

Your task is to closely monitor the child and be guided by his behavior. You don’t have to transfer daytime sleep to a later time yourself, it’s better to let him show that he is ready for it: for three or four days he will be reluctant to sleep in the afternoon (be sure to exclude other possible causes, such as illness, teething, fear of separation or the approach of another milestone in development). Unwillingness to sleep may be manifested in the fact that the child will sing or babble while lying in a crib, cry loudly at an unusual time or sleep for a short time. If you notice these signs, postpone daytime sleep at a later time.

If your baby is 12 to 18 months old and he only sleeps once a day, see the section on daytime sleep for children 18 to 24 months.

If you began to stack the child for 30 minutes later, but he still does not want to fall asleep, or if after a few quiet weeks he starts to calm down again, it means that it is necessary to stack him another half hour later.

Further transfer of daytime sleep to a later time

• Falling asleep: 19:30
• Awakening: 6:30
• First day sleep: 10:00 (sleeps until 11:30)
• Second day's sleep: 15:00 (sleeps until 16:00)

Daytime sleep should not be too late!

If the second daytime sleep of the child ends too close to the time of evening laying and he does not have time to get tired, then it is time to move on to a one-time daytime sleep. At this age, it should end at least 3-3.5 hours before the time of falling asleep. For example, if a baby falls asleep at 7:30 pm, then by 4:00 pm or 4:30 pm the afternoon nap should already be over.

The transition from a two-day nap to a one-time

As a rule, this transition occurs between the ages of 14 and 16 months, although the range of the norm is 12–20 months. If the child does not want or cannot fall asleep during the day for the second time for 4-6 days in a row, or if the second day’s sleep begins to interfere with quietly falling asleep in the usual evening time, it’s time to move to a one-time daytime sleep. And here the transition period begins again, when two times is already a lot, and one is still not enough. Sometimes the child will fall asleep for a short time a second time a day, and sometimes it will be enough for him once. This inconstancy is a bit tedious for parents, but usually it lasts a maximum of one month.

Turning to a one-time daytime sleep, the child will still sleep a total of 1.5 to 3 hours back, and you will need to help him prolong the morning wakefulness so that later there is not too much time between the end of the daytime sleep and evening sleep. The final goal is about the middle of the day, so that between the morning waking up and the beginning of the daytime sleep, about the same amount of time passes as between its ending and the night's sleep. However, at first, you will most likely have to start at 11:30; if the child went to bed at 10:30, then over several days gradually increase the wakefulness period by 15 minutes, until you reach 11:30.

• When the baby starts to go into one day’s sleep, it may be difficult for him to sleep for more than an hour or the usual length of the first day’s sleep. In this case, after waking up, leave him for a while in the crib, for 15-30 minutes, so that he tries to fall asleep again. If necessary, check it a couple of times. If the child does not cry, do not disturb him.
• Be patient; the transition takes time, and it may take several weeks before the child begins to sleep at least 1.5 hours.
• As in the case of the transition from a three-day to two-time daytime sleep, you may have some time to lay down the child a little earlier in the evening. You can also give him a nap a few minutes in the afternoon — in a carriage or car — so that he has enough strength for the evening. Just make sure that the baby does not start falling asleep too early, otherwise in the morning he will also wake up too early (if you move the sleep time no more than 1 hour ago, everything will be fine).

Typical schedule for a one-day nap

Falling asleep: 7:30 pm Awakening: 6:30 am Day sleep: 11:30 am (sleeping until 1:30 pm)

As the child grows up, the duration of daytime sleep usually remains the same, but the wakefulness time may increase. For example, a child who slept from 11:30 to 13:30, then will be able to sleep from 12:00 to 14:00, then from 12:30 to 14:30, etc.

Approximate schedule of later daytime sleep

Falling asleep: 19:30 Awakening: 6:30 Day sleep: 12:00 (sleeps until 14:00)

Daytime sleep schedule for a child 2-3 years old

By two years, most children can fall asleep at 12:30 or 13:00 and sleep from 1.5 to 3 hours. They need to wake up at least 4 hours before evening sleep.

Sample sleep schedule for a 2 year old child

Falling asleep: 7:30 pm Awakening: 6:30 am Daytime sleep: 12:30 (sleeps until 2:30 pm)

Between three and four years, most children begin to give up naps. But your child can sleep during the day and up to 5 years (if you are lucky!). At 3 years old, the child may go to bed during the day, even later, around 1:00 pm or even 2:00 pm, and sleep until about 3:30 pm.

Sample sleep schedule for a 3 year old child

Falling asleep: 7:30 pm Awakening: 6:30 am Day sleep: 1:30 pm (sleeping until 3:00 pm)

When the child completely abandons the daytime sleep, the last transitional period will come, when the baby will determine whether he needs to sleep during the day or not. For some time, be guided by his behavior: when he is going to sleep during the day, put him in the evening at his usual time. If he refuses to sleep during the day, put him in the evening earlier than usual (if necessary, then for an hour). You can trick the baby to take a nap, for example by rolling it in the car. In the end, he will completely give up daytime sleep, and his body will get used to being awake until the evening.

Open a sleep diary and complete the planned schedule of daytime sleep, taking into account the age of your child. Note. If the child sleeps more than once during the day, the time of the second and third sleep will vary depending on how long the previous sleep ends.
When planning a daytime sleep schedule, take the target time of the second and third times simply as guidelines, and not as a mandatory requirement.

In most cases, the transition to sleep 1 occurs between the ages of 15–18 months, but some children pass as early as 11–12 months.

Signs:

1. The child sleeps well the first dream, but refuses the second sleep
2. The second dream is reduced
3. The child resists laying at the usual time, the mother is under constant stress from long laying

Mothers of 8-10 months old children who read me will surely be surprised that they already have such a period. But this is due, most likely, not with the transition to one dream, but with the REGRESS of sleep: worsening of nights and completely abandoning daytime dreams. The reason, alas, is in the absence of bedtime procedures (are you still sleeping on your chest? ... think about the separation of food and sleep, the article on the site, the “sleep training” heading) and the fact that mom did not build a day regimen / did not observe stability in days. What to do? We are waiting for the regress to complete a couple of weeks, wait for the regress of sleep and do not rush to translate into one dream.

How long does the transition take? Sometimes it is enough 10 days of adaptation, a lot depends on the season, living conditions, etc. I transferred my twins to 1 sleep for a couple of months. It seemed to be ready and one dream had slept for a week. And then I saw fatigue again by the usual morning time and put me to bed.

How to go to one dream?

Each case is individual! And there is no one answer. For example:

1. During the transition period, we put it on 1 dream, then on 2. Focus on the child! Mom knows her child well and adapts to it. In one dream, we put it earlier than usual into the night.
2. If a mother is not ready to go to sleep even earlier than usual (one-room apartment, mother works, eldest child), then temporarily distribute two daytime sleep within a day with an increased wakefulness period, according to the child’s current endurance. For example, before the second dream was from the 14th day, we mix it later TEMPORARY, going into a night sleep later. But it threatens overwork!
3. Your task is one sleep in the middle of the day, starting at 12: 30-13: 00, so put a few days at 11 am, when the child is already tired. Then 15-30 minutes later, after a week or two, try to move more and so gradually you will come to an optimal daytime sleep in the middle of the day. If the child got up at 6 am and slept from 11:30 to 13:30, then it would be inappropriate to pull the bed up to, say, 19:30. Lay in 18 and gradually shift the only dream as I described above in this paragraph.

Overworked child - rushing around the house, and it is impossible to calm. Sleep in no eye, opens a second wind. Whims when laying in a bed, pulls hands to mum, asks for handles and so forth. When falling asleep crying and falling asleep with it, then periodic sobbing. Nightly awakenings become more frequent because in the evening the stress hormone in the blood rises. Nothing good, agree? And also often begin early ascents.

An early rise is earlier than 6 am, a rise between 6 and 7 is a normal time for children. Mothers advise you to go to bed early to be cheerful and fun in the morning with your baby :)

If a child has slept, horror of horrors, just 50-60 minutes and in the middle of the day, try by any means to help him to snooze at least 20 minutes after the afternoon snack: car seat, stroller .. To hang on to the evening and not break the night .. It didn't work out - not worry, you did everything you could!

The very first thing you need to do is evaluate your child’s day regimen. If the baby sleeps more and more later in the evening the second time, and it is too late for the night, most likely it’s time to change his routine. The concept of "late" is different in every family. However, it is optimal for the child to go to bed around 21-22 pm. You can also focus on the age of your child. Usually the children go to one dream at the age of about a year.

Satisfying the first half of the day.

If you intend to transfer the baby to a one-day nap, you need to increase his waking time in the morning. For these purposes, a walk in the fresh air is perfect. Try to keep the child walking more himself (or crawling), but not sitting in the stroller. It is also better not to go somewhere in the car or walk with a stroller far away - so the baby will simply fall asleep. Walk to the playground next to the house to be able to quickly return home from it.

Try to actively play with the baby so that he stays awake longer than usual and went to bed a day later than he used to do it. How much longer - depends on the particular baby.

The shift of regime points at a time earlier than usual.

In the transitional period, it is better to move the baby’s lunch a while earlier. If you feel that enough time has passed from breakfast, give your child a smaller portion for lunch. Try to have your child eat before bedtime: a well-fed baby will sleep for a longer time.

At the time of early move not only lunch, but also afternoon tea, dinner, evening bathing and bedtime. At first, the baby may begin to be capricious in the evening. It will take him several days to understand and get used to the fact that he will not sleep the second time. And for the night during this transitional period it is better to put the child very early - at 20 o'clock. You shouldn’t get too excited a baby in the evening to put it at 21 or 22 hours. Over time, his mode will be established.

Parents are sleeping too.

Often, during the transition to a one-day nap, a baby can wake up an hour or two after falling asleep. If at this time, parents are actively engaged in household chores, the kid may think that the day goes on. He will wake up and be ready for games, and then it will be very difficult to lay down the child. Therefore, by the time the baby wakes up, mom and dad should already be sleeping. Then he will see that night has come, everyone is asleep and will go to sleep on. This does not mean that you should not even open your eyes. Of course, you can get up, help your baby fall asleep again in the usual way for him and you. But you have to show him that the day is over and it’s time for everyone to sleep.

Usually the transition to a single daytime sleep is not particularly difficult. The first time, when the baby is still getting used to the new regime, the young mother even manages to rest: after all, the child goes to bed very early at night. This happens not only because he needs to get used to stay awake longer, but also because the two-day nap is usually shorter (40 minutes) than the one-time (1.5-2 hours).

Depending on age, babies sleep during the day from 1 to 4 times, starting around four months. Before that, sleep is a big part of the life of the crumbs. And once the moment comes when the child needs to be transferred to 1 day's sleep. The main thing is to clearly understand that this moment has indeed come.

When do children usually go to 1 day sleep?

As a rule, the transition from two daytime dreams to one takes place between the ages of 15 and 18 months. During this period, the transition occurs in 80% of cases. Of course, these are average indicators, and the fact that all children are individual should be taken into account. Sometimes the baby is already fully ready to give up one sleep during the day, and someone in a year and a half is not able to gain strength in just 1 day's sleep. In fact, the readiness of the child’s body comes no earlier than 15 months. The transition to 1 sleep in 1.5 years is ideal.

How can a mother understand that a child is ready to go on one day's sleep?

How to understand that the baby is already physically and mentally ready to go to sleep 1 day? How not to be mistaken and not to make hasty steps in this direction? There are a number of signs, the combination of which allows us to conclude that 2 sleep by day is already a lot for your child.

Your baby is ready to go to sleep 1 day, if:

• He reached the age of 15-18 months.
• His night sleep is of good quality and long (it goes quietly and lasts 10-11 hours).
• He hardly falls asleep in the first dream during the day, or his second dream becomes too short.
• The child refuses one sleep for two weeks.

As a rule, problems with falling asleep for 1 of dreams (we do not take into account occasional problems, and prolonged refusals) occur in the second day's sleep. The baby can also demonstrate that he has not gained enough fatigue to calmly fit in the evening. At the same time, sleep “at night” may come with difficulty, and the baby may even begin to refuse to pack for the night.

How to make the transition to 1 day's sleep painless?

The refusal of one dream during the day may occur abruptly or smoothly, it depends on the particular child. In most cases, the transition takes some time - 2-3 weeks. At this time, the child may sleep in different ways: once or twice. And for the bulk of the kids - this is the best option, because the regime change - it is always stress for the fragile children's body.

Where to start? If all or most of the indicators on the face, start quietly to increase the time interval between daytime dreams. Gradually move the first sleep toward dinner for 15 minutes daily. At the same time, the second dream should also be shifted by the same number of minutes and shortened. Do this until the first dream reaches a normal duration of 2.5-3 hours, then you can completely abandon the second.

It is important!

It is very important to monitor the mood of the child, to observe him more closely during this period, to feel and satisfy his needs. In no case should not overwork. It is necessary that the night sleep was distinguished by high quality: it was long, if possible, continuous and calm. Do not forget about the evening ritual.

And further. Evening laying should be early (no later than 20.00). You should not think that the child is already old enough to prolong the evening wakefulness. Punishment for such a misconception can be overworked and “fun” night for both the baby and parents.

How long does it take to go from 2 dreams to 1?

As we mentioned above, it depends on the child. A couple of months from the "start", kids usually sleep out of habit. Sleep lasts 1 hour 15 minutes or 1.5 hours. Gradually, the duration of sleep will be lengthened by itself in a natural mode, until it reaches 2.5-3 hours. Only after the new regime is firmly entrenched, and your baby enters the rut, you can do a little relief in laying time for the night. But do not delay it longer than 30-40 minutes.

Means to normalize sleep

The German natural drug Dormikind, which is specially designed for children and recommended from birth, helps to quickly fall asleep and improve the quality of child's sleep. Dormikind is economical and sold in pharmacies without a prescription.

The article “Transition to 1 day sleep” from the site of the Center for Children's and Mother's Sleep.