My DD is almost 2y6m and within the last few days has started 'playing up' at nap time. She'll sleep less then normal, plays/talks for a while before falling asleep etc.

Mummy is not ready to let the daytime nap go yet , but was just wondering what signs your child showed when you knew it was time to give up the daytime nap? Was there a transistion time or did they go cold turkey?

I hope my situation can give you some reassurance that the naps aren't gone forever yet!

DS1 started talking and chatting to himself when first put in his room for his nap, when previously he'd just roll over and go to sleep. I think he was about 2 when this change happened. He would drop off to sleep after about 1/2 an hour, though. Over time the playing became longer and his nap shorter. I thought for sure he was dropping it . Then came a period where he would happily play in his room for up to 2 hours (hellajulah!) but then call out to get up after that time and those days we obviously had no nap and an early bedtime. We then got to the stage where he was really only napping on DC days and I braced myself for him dropping the nap completely at home. Lo and behold, two months ago he started napping again!! There was no change to our routine, except I suppose I'd put him down a little earlier, at the same time as DS2, I guess to give myself a break. In hindsight, as he got older his nap time was creeping up later and later as I had to attend to DS2 first and found it easier if I held him off for a little while. Maybe he was just too overtired to nap?? Or maybe it was the bribe of a Tick Tock biscuit if he was quiet and had a little sleep Either way, I'm not complaining!

For the record, DS turns 3 next month!! So 12 months ago I was certain he was in the process of dropping it but here we are still napping, to the envy of some of my friends.

I would certainly persevere with quiet time in your DD's room. This was my "recharge" period during the day, enough to put my feet up, have a cuppa (survey all the housework that needed doing ) and just have a bit of a breather before the boys got up and round 2 began. I am still keeping up my sleeve the option of watching a quiet DVD in the lounge for when he starts fighting me on actually going into his room. This will be the next step, I'm sure!

HTH!

DS was about the same age when he started dropping the day time nap.

He started resisting going down for a nap, would talk and play in his room for ages - 30mins at first, eventually over an hour. When he did go to sleep he would sleep for 2-3 hours still but it was hard to get him to sleep. At night he didn't want to go to bed until 8-8.30, would wake up half the night and get up at 5am. Eventually we figured out that maybe if we just let him skip the nap he would sleep better at night. It worked a treat. He goes to bed at 7pm now, sleeps through most nights and gets up between 6-7am.

It took about 6 weeks before he got used to not having a nap. For the first few weeks he could stay awake till bedtime one day, the next day he'd fall asleep at 4.30 eating his dinner.

My DD who just turned 3 still loves and nees her day nap. She can go without it but shes really cranky and easily upset on the days she doesnt. So unless there is some reason why not, we would usually be home at nap time so she gets one.

Most days its about 1.5 hours but she then doesnt go to bed until 9ish and up at 7. Suits us this way but may not suit others who want a 7.30 bedtime (with no nap shes fast asleep by 8).

In my mothers group, out of 6 bubs, only 2 still regularly have naps.

Good luck, hopefully just a faze.