The 2 to 1 Nap Transition: A Gentle Sleep Coach's Guide

The 2 to 1 nap transition is a significant milestone in your child's sleep journey. As a certified Gentle Sleep Coach and founder of Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching, I've guided countless families through this change. This transition can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth process for both you and your child. In this blog, I'll share expert tips and strategies to help you navigate the 2 to 1 nap transition with ease.

Understanding the 2 to 1 Nap Transition

The 2 to 1 nap transition typically occurs between 15-18 months, but every child is unique. Some signs that your child may be ready to drop from two naps to one include:

• Consistently fighting the afternoon nap: If your child resists the second nap or takes it very late, it might be time to transition.

• Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime: An extended afternoon nap can interfere with bedtime.

• Shortening morning nap: If the morning nap becomes shorter or skipped entirely, your child might be ready for just one nap.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

1. Adjust the Morning Nap Gradually: Start by pushing the morning nap later by 15-30 minutes every few days until it aligns with the desired single nap time, usually around midday.

2. Keep a Consistent Schedule: Consistency is key in sleep training. Stick to a routine to help your child adjust to the new nap schedule.

3. Create a Soothing Nap Environment: Ensure your child's nap space is conducive to sleep. Use blackout curtains, white noise, and maintain a comfortable temperature.

4. Watch for Sleep Cues: Pay attention to your child's sleep cues don't let them get “over tired” or they will fight the nap. Overtired signs are rubbing eyes, yawning, or becoming fussy. 

5. Offer a Quiet Time: During the transition, if your child skips the nap, offer a quiet time to rest. This can help prevent overtiredness, 45 minutes is ideal.

6. Be Patient and Flexible: The transition can take a few weeks. Be patient and allow some flexibility in the schedule as your child adjusts.

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Overtiredness: During the transition, your child may become overtired. To combat this, consider an earlier bedtime to compensate for the lost nap time. 

• Inconsistent Nap Length: Initially, the single nap might be shorter than expected. Encourage your child to extend the nap by keeping the environment calm and minimizing disturbances.

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Do you wonder how much sleep your child should be getting? When they should nap? Have you asked yourself “is this is normal”?

You will love my Ages and Stages Daily Sleep Requirements Freebie! This guide breaks it down in an easy-to-follow chart! These charts will show you sleep averages of how much daytime sleep and nighttime sleep children need.  They can help you create some kind of routine, avoid overstimulation and add some predictability to your life! As your child grows up, you can refer to these charts to see when you may need to drop a nap or change bedtime.

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When to Seek Help

If you find the transition particularly challenging or your child is struggling with sleep, it might be helpful to consult with a gentle sleep coach. At Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching, we offer personalized support and strategies to help your child achieve healthy sleep patterns.

The 2 to 1 nap transition is a natural part of your child's development. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can help your child smoothly adjust to this new sleep schedule. Remember, every child is different, so it's important to follow your child's cues and make adjustments as needed.

For more expert tips on sleep coaching and transitioning your child's naps, visit Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching. Together, we can ensure your child gets the restful sleep they need for healthy growth and development.

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Need help with this transition? Let’s Do This.

If you’re thinking, “Okay, I kinda-sorta-maybe want to try this, but I still have questions,”—that’s what I’m here for.

Let’s start with an easy first step, schedule a Sleep Strategy Session so me, you and your partner can have an 1 hr long zoom session so I can properly assess the sleep situation and determine if you need one-on-one sleep coaching support. 

Let’s get your baby sleeping—and get YOU your sanity back.

Contact Me

If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.

Blissful Baby Beliefs

The Gentle Sleep Process

The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep

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Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching was picked as winner of Red Tricycle’s 2016 Totally Awesome Awards.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2016, San Francisco CA. Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching has won the honor of Most Awesome Parenting Program in Red Tricycle’s Annual Totally Awesome Awards. To celebrate this award, read below for special offers and a giveaway for a FREE 30-minute Sleep Consultation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2016, San Francisco CA. Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching has won the honor of Most Awesome Parenting Program in Red Tricycle’s Annual Totally Awesome Awards.

Red Tricycle’s Totally Awesome Awards is the largest awards program in the greater parenting community. The Totally Awesome Awards recognize the best family-friendly products, parenting tips, and resources for babies and tots across the nation and allows parents to elect their favorites from a curated list of best-of-the-best.

The 4th Annual Totally Awesome Awards Driven had a huge audience of active and engaged parents.  This year’s Totally Awesome Awards amassed more than 350,000 participants and 70,000 online votes across 88 categories.

Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching not only won this award in 2016, but also in 2012 and 2013. “Winning a Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Award is an incredible recognition of the hard work I do to offer individualized Pediatric Sleep Coaching services using a proven approach of gentle sleep coaching to reclaim peaceful nights for tired parents”  says Joanna Clark, Founder of Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching. “Red Tricycle is a pillar in the parenting community, and having been awarded Best Parenting Program 3 different times is verification of the growing recognition of my passion and practice of helping tired families establish healthy sleep habits, thus, restoring peaceful nights and resulting in a well-rested family.  

Jacqui Boland, CEO and Founder of Red Tricycle, congratulated all the winners saying: “The reason that you have achieved this success is because your community reached out and took the time to vote for you. It may sound simple, asking people to click a few boxes, but we know that even that is no easy feat. Everyone is so busy that even an extra five minutes is difficult to squeeze in. But your customers took the time to do this because what you do is important to them. And it’s important to us. Nothing gives us more pleasure than helping a business that supports families not only succeed, but thrive.”

To see the winners for each category, please visit redtri.com/2016-totally-awesome-award

Gentle Sleep Coaching is emerging as a “Best Practice” in Pediatric Sleep Science and my goal is for Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching to be known as a trusted resource and leader in this field.

In honor of my Red Tricycle AWARD & my ongoing quest to educate families about the benefits of Gentle Sleep Coaching,

 I am offering two unique opportunities until 10/31.

1. I am offering $50 off all Gentle Sleep Coaching packages booked before 10/31. Clients must begin the first night of Sleep Coaching no later than 12/1/2016.

2.  I am offering a daily opportunity to WIN a FREE 30 minute baby sleep consultation with me.

To Enter Giveaway: please complete the following 2 tasks:

1. Please go to my website to download “Was Your Child Awake Last Night?” 

Website: http://www.blissfulbabysleepcoaching.com/

 2.  Please “Like” my Facebook business page: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blissfulbabysleep/

Winner: Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching

2016 Totally Awesome Award Winner of

Best Parenting Program in San Diego

@RedTri's #TotallyAwesomeAwards2016 for Best Parenting Program!

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