Written by Ebony - Certified Sleep Consultant 

If your baby happily takes their morning and midday naps but then flat-out refuses that late afternoon snooze, you're not alone. It’s one of the most common nap struggles parents face, and the good news is… it’s totally normal.

Let’s dive into why that third nap can suddenly become a battle and what it might mean for your baby’s sleep routine.

What’s the Deal with the Last Nap?

Babies follow natural biological sleep windows, which are times during the day when their body is primed for sleep thanks to a dip in cortisol and a gentle rise in melatonin. These windows make it easier for them to drift off.

But here’s the catch, there’s no strong biological sleep window in the late afternoon. That means the third nap of the day is naturally the hardest one to achieve. It’s not your fault, and it’s not your baby being difficult, it’s just biology.

Is My Baby Getting Enough Day Sleep Already?

As babies get older, their total sleep needs shift, and often they’ll get enough daytime rest from just two solid naps. If your baby is getting good quality sleep earlier in the day, they simply might not have enough sleep pressure left to want (or need) that third nap.

This is when something like a short/long/short nap routine can help if they are struggling with 2 naps or too early, offering structure while still giving your baby enough awake time to build sleep pressure for bedtime.

When Can You Drop the Third Nap?

Most babies are ready to say goodbye to their third nap somewhere between 7 and 8 months of age.

Here are a few signs your baby might be ready:

• They can comfortably stay awake for at least 2 hours and 45 minutes.
• Consolidating both Nap 1 and Nap 2
• The second nap ends late enough in the afternoon to carry them to bedtime.
• They’re refusing the third nap consistently but still handling bedtime without becoming overtired.

If that sounds like your little one, you’re probably safe to start phasing out that final nap.

The bottom line is, If your baby is pushing back on the last nap, it might be their way of telling you they’re ready for a little schedule update. Trust their cues, keep an eye on their overall mood and nighttime sleep, and don’t stress, it’s all part of the natural progression of sleep development.

And remember: one dropped nap might just mean an earlier bedtime for a while (and maybe a bit more evening to yourself—win-win?).