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A lot of parents worry about letting their infants and toddlers sleep too much during the day and then having them awake too much at night. Most experts agree that a 1- or 2-hour nap in midafternoon will be fine for most preschoolers. In a November 2004 article in Parents Magazine, on doctor cautions that not napping during the day may actually over-stimulate a young child, who may then not be able to settle down come evening.
Here's a little guidance:
Age 3 mos: 3 to 4 naps during the day; about 2 to 4 hours each
Age 6 mos: 2 naps during the day; about 1 to 3 hours each
Ages 12 to 18 mos: 1 to 2 naps during the day;1 hour morning and/or 1 to 3 hours in the afternoon
Ages 2-3 years: 1 nap a day, 1 to 3 hours in the afternoon
Ages 4-5 years: 1 nap a day, 1 to 2 hours in the afternoon, if the child seems tired
Ages 5-6 years: 0 to 1 nap per day, 1 hour of sleep or 1 hour of just "quiet time"
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