Research Shows Toddlers May Not Need Naps

BOSTON (CBS) – New research shows toddlers don't necessarily need to nap, which is not going to be welcome news to parents who need that little break from their kids during the day.

For years, parents and doctors have assumed that napping was vital to the health and well-being of preschoolers.

But researchers in Australia looked at 26 studies and found that especially for children over two years old, those who napped during the day tended to go to bed later, get less sleep overall, and had poorer quality sleep, in general.

Dr. Mary Brown, a general pediatrician at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center says parents should follow their children's lead.

"For most parents, I suggest that if their child seems to need a nap during the middle of the day, that's great, but if they don't seem like they're getting tired or that they're willing to stop playing or anything like that, then they really don't need to take a nap," Brown said.

Brown added that parents should look at how their children are sleeping at night. If they're not really getting a lot of sleep, they may want to cut back on the naps.

Most kids will outgrow their naps by age 3 or 4, and toddlers in general need about 11 to 13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.