When to Transition from Two to One Nap

I have 3 children. They dropped their second nap at 15 months, 11 months, and 14 months, respectively. They all basically did what your daughter is doing-just played in their crib during one of the naps. The good news is that once they drop a nap, their bedtime can be a little earlier or wake time is usually extended. I actually enjoyed it , once they dropped their morning nap because then we could be out doing things all morning, and weren't constricted by nap time. Now my just-turned-5-year-old doesn't nap at all. The younger ones are still napping in the afternoon. It makes for a very long day with one of them not napping at all. I do make her have "quite time" somewhere in the house away from me or in her room. I see nothing wrong with your daughter having "quiet time" in her crib until her brother is ready to drop his nap too. Good luck.

My trips did the same thing. You look forward to the naps to get a few things done (or take a rare quiet moment). It is possible that your d no longer needs the nap. But if she will continue to play quietly with her bro sleeps, there is nothing wrong with that. It can actually give her a chance to play by herself, which she does need to know how to do. And if she happens to catch that extra nap, great. You don't say that she is super cranky for dropping this extra nap so she sounds like she is fine without it. As they both change their schedules, they will once again nap at the same time. I know that books say this or that but the child is telling us what is really needed for the most part. I had no problems listening to mine when they were this age and they eventually adjusted to taking one nap a day at the same time.
Of course, now they postpone going to sleep at night as long as they can. :)

It sounds like your daughter no longer needs her morning nap, they definitely let you know when they are done napping by simply refusing to nap. However, it sounds as if she is perfectly content to play quietly during that time. I don't see any problem in continuing to give her quiet time in her crib or bed while your son is sleeping. It doesn't sound as if she minds it and you might as well take advantage of that!

It won't hurt your daughter to have two naps. sleep begets sleep and even if it is only down time, she will fine with that. My experience is go with what the child seems to need. So stay with 2 naps as long as your son needs them. Believe me, once you get to 1 nap you will miss the morning nap :)

According to a great book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" it states the following: Mos. 13 to 15 - 1% have 3 naps, 43% have 2 naps, 56% have one nap. Mos. 16 to 21 - 23% have 2 naps, 77% have 1 nap at 18 mos.; 12% have 2 naps, 88% have 1 nap at 21 months. Mos. 21 to 36 - 5% have 2 naps and 95% have 1 nap at 24 mos.; 0% have 2 naps, 91% have one nap and 9% have no naps at 36 mos. On their third birthday, most children (91%) are still napping every day. At age 4, about 50% nap 5 days each week, and by age 5, about 25% are napping about 4 days each week. Naps are usually gone by age 6. Hope this helps.

My son who is almost 14 months old is down to 1 nap a day. For me it's actually better since he sleeps 3 hours instead of 2 short naps. In your case I can see how it will be more difficult since you have twins. If your daughter will play quietly in her crib and not disturb her brother I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping her in her crib. If she sleeps, great. If she doesn't sleep, then she spends the time learning how to play independently. I'm a twin and supposedly my sister and I gave up ALL naps before we were 2 years old. Can you imagine, my poor mother! Anyway, good luck!