23-Month-Old Not Napping: What to Do?

Putting your baby to sleep is not always easy. And just when your baby is older and you seem to have figured it out and settled into a peaceful and reliable bedtime and nap routine with them, they decide to become more active and extend their waking hours. Toddlers, in particular, experience what is commonly called sleep regression when they’re about 23 months to 2 years old, and getting them to nap during the day can also get extra difficult.

 

So, what do you do when your 23-month-old toddler refuses to take a much-needed shut-eye? Is this normal and is it okay to just leave them be and wear themselves out? What causes these changes in their sleeping and napping behavior?

 

What You Need to Know About Sleep Regression in Toddlers

You might be wondering what this 2-year-old sleep regression is and whether it has something to do with why they refuse to take naps during the day. Sleep regression is a brief period when toddlers fight any urge to fall asleep during bedtime despite already establishing a good bedtime routine. They also tend to wake several times during the night or wake up earlier than usual in the morning. And while this period is very common among two-year-olds, it also occurs at several ages, like 4 months, 8 months, and 18 months.

 

This phase is normal and you don’t need to worry about it becoming a permanent issue. According to a 2005 study on the sleeping patterns of young children, 19 percent of children have had sleep problems at 2 years old, but these problems abated over time and eventually went away.

 

This brings us back to the next important question: Does sleep regression have anything to do with your 23-month-old’s refusal to take a nap? Generally, any disruption in your toddler’s bedtime routine significantly affects their daytime nap schedule or behavior. Moreover, the main causes of this regression are essentially the same reasons why your toddler isn’t napping.

 

Why Won’t My 23-Month-Old Nap?

Your toddler’s refusal to take some shut-eye could be because they are just too busy exploring the world around them, learning new things, and developing new physical, social, and communication skills. All the learning, developing, and exploring that they are doing as they grow could bring in so much fun and excitement that they would fight off naps.

 

Overstimulation could also be another reason. Playing with your toddler or giving them sugar right before naptime could over-excite them or cause their brain to become too active for sleep. 

 

On the other hand, being overtired can also keep your toddlers from napping. When your toddler is overtired, their fight-or-flight response gets triggered, and this, in turn, releases cortisol, which is a hormone that is responsible for keeping people alert. You’d know that your little tyke is too tired when they become cranky and bleary-eyed, or when they get drowsy before their usual siesta schedule. Napping at the wrong time is yet another cause for your 23-month-old missing his regular nap in the afternoon.

 

Other possible reasons include teething, separation anxiety, and changes to your tot’s nap schedule, such as those caused by playdates and family outings.

 

What to Do to Make Your 23-Month-Old Nap

Here are some tips on how you could get your toddler to take a nap during the day:

 

Exhaust remaining energy before naptime.

Young children have tons of energy. So for them to be able to relax and doze off during the day, they have to burn off that extra energy. As long as they still have some bottled-up energy begging to be spent, they will fight naptime.

 

Taking them outdoors, like in the playground or even just in your backyard, and allowing them to run around and be active is a great and healthy way to tire them. They get some fresh air and some sunshine, too. 

 

In fact, the World Health Organization recommends that children 1 to 2 years old should spend at least three hours each day doing various physical activities. These activities should be of varying intensity and spread throughout the day.

 

Limit screen time and sugar.

Many parents these days allow their toddlers to use mobile devices to watch educational programs. Some also use the screen to keep their little ones distracted, to keep them still, or to keep them from making a fuss. While this may be effective to a degree, screen time should still be very limited at this age. 

 

Being too indulgent with your little tot when it comes to screen time prevents them from engaging in the kind of physical activities that are necessary for their age. It can also be mentally and physically overstimulating, making it difficult for them to relax. In turn, you can expect them to fight off sleep.

 

As a matter of fact, the WHO recommends not more than one hour of sedentary screen time (watching videos, TV shows, or playing computer games) for children aged 2 years. When sedentary, reading and storytelling is instead encouraged.

 

You should also avoid giving your tot sugary snacks. Sugar causes the release of the stress hormone adrenaline, and this can cause restlessness in your toddler.

 

Keep a consistent bedtime schedule and sleep space.

Falling asleep is easier if your child takes a nap at the same time every day. Their body clock is set to accept sleep at a predictable time and they will feel drowsy.

 

Moreover, let your tot sleep in the same space. This consistency in their sleeping area promotes easy and high-quality sleep every time.

 

Keep in mind that when it comes to your child’s development, routines play a key role. The predictability and structure of their lives on any given day give them a sense of stability and security. Speaking of routines, you can also create a pre-nap routine with them to help calm them down and condition them for siesta. It could be a little cuddling, a short bedtime story, a brief massage, or a couple of lullabies. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sleep does a 23-month-old toddler need?

According to the WHO, children 1 to 2 years old should have a total of 11 to 14 hours of good-quality sleep, and this includes 1 to 2 hours of nap.

 

How long will toddlers fight naptime during their sleep regression phase?

Sleep regression usually lasts one to three weeks, and as long as you are patient and you commit to getting your toddler to nap every day during this phase, they will slide right back to their normal shut-eye schedule.

 

When is the best time for a nap?

Toddlers ideally take 1- to 2-hour naps after lunch, with 5 to 6 hours of awake time after waking up in the morning and before bedtime at night.