Moving from four naps to three

Typical timing: 4–5 months. Readiness is individual.

Look at the pattern.

The last nap becomes hard to fit as awake periods lengthen. One difficult day does not prove readiness.

Keep the day flexible and use an earlier bedtime when a nap is missed. Continue responding to sleep and feeding cues.

Should I drop a nap on a certain birthday?

The cited span is typical, not a deadline. A consistent pattern and the child’s ability to handle longer awake time matter.

Can some days still need the old nap count?

Mixed days can occur during a transition. Protect rest opportunities and follow cues.

What if the last nap is missed?

The day may need an earlier bedtime. A sample cannot predict the effect for every child.

Does dropping a nap mean dropping a night feed?

Those are separate decisions. Discuss night feeding and growth with the pediatrician.