Children nap: You should know that

Small children need an afternoon nap. But how long and from what age the offspring can finally do without it is controversial. Sleep solutions are as individual as the little ones themselves.

Small children need their afternoon nap

Everyone needs sleep, to refuel, to regenerate and to process what they have experienced. The youngest - from infants to toddlers - are pounded with a wealth of new impressions every day. In addition, there is disproportionate growth of the body: That is why children demand a greater sleep load than adults.

• The younger the child, the shorter the duration of waking or sleeping phases. The total length of sleep is gradually reduced.
• In total, an infant up to the age of three months needs about 14 to 17 hours of sleep, then about 12 to 15 hours. Until your child is about one year old and beyond, two day naps are definitely appropriate.
• From the first to the third year of life, the total sleep requirement decreases to about 11 to 14 hours a day. Now you should make sure that your child only takes an afternoon nap - but it is actually relaxing.
• At the age of three to five years, your child will sleep an average of 10 to 13 hours. However, if your child sleeps less at night, a rest during the day makes sense.

Find the right time to rest

A regular daily schedule helps the child find the sleep he deserves. However, daily activity planning is often based on the child's need for sleep. These figures provide thumbs for the necessary bedtime:

• In general, the time from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. is considered a good rest period. Then the natural bio-rhythm usually requires a break anyway.
• For kindergarten children, it is best to schedule an afternoon nap after an early lunch. Due to the upcoming digestive work, your child will be a bit more tired anyway.
• If your child is even younger and needs two naps a day, the first rest period is postponed to the morning, the second to a little later in the afternoon.
• The duration of bedtime will be highly individual. However, an hour or two of sleep should be enough for toddlers three years of age.
• However, keep in mind that the need for sleep can increase again in the short term with development spurts.
• However, if you notice that your child has difficulty falling asleep in the evening or even staying asleep for a longer period of time, then it is probably time to shorten the afternoon nap or to cancel it altogether.

When you rebel against sleep

Even if it is certain that every child needs their rest, it does not always work with an afternoon nap. However, you can support the child's willingness to sleep with a few simple measures.

• Give your child a helping hand for a healthy nap. Bring a rhythm into the day that signals at lunchtime: now is time for a break and rest.
• Consciously incorporate rituals for this. Reading a nice story or starting quiet, quiet music can be the signs for the upcoming break.
• The daylight should be slightly insulated in the bedroom. Ensure a cool and calm atmosphere in your child's relaxation area.
• You can also relax a little yourself or even take a nap in the same room as your child. Above all, this can help children who are generally very active and have a hard time "coming down".
• If your child does not want to take an afternoon nap, then do not let them experience an uncomfortable test of strength. Stay calm and offer your child a break with some relaxation: reading a book and watching it or listening to a radio play are good alternatives.
• Also adjust the kindergarten pick-up time to your child's sleep needs. If it is offered, a nap in kindergarten can make sense.
• On the other hand, it is unfavorable if your child takes a short nap on the way home, which would then prevent him from sleeping extensively.

There are often discussions about how much and when to sleep in later childhood. In the next practical tip you will find information about when children should be sent to bed.