Q
My 32-month old son has not been able to sleep at nap time for the last three days in a row. Could this just be a phase? When do kids stop taking naps, anyway? Thanks for your help.
A
Developmentally, children show tremendous individual differences in how frequently and for how long they nap, as well as when they stop napping. Usually, children give up their morning naps between ages one and one half and two and their afternoon naps between three and six.
Your child may indeed not need her afternoon naps anymore. Track her physical activity level, how well she sleeps during the night and for how long. Look for any mood changes especially during certain times of the day. All these variables will suggest whether this is a natural "self-weaning" from her nap or a momentary blip on the screen.