What’s wrong with skipping naps to get out and enjoy some fresh air or just hang out with my friends and theri kids?
Here are three facts: From Proc Natl Acad Sci, 2009: Naps with “REM sleep enhances the integration of unassociated information for creative problem solving…” Cortisol, a hormone that rises during stress, falls during every nap. At 6 months of age, infants who take brief naps are likely to remain taking brief naps until about age 2 years; the same is true of infants who take long naps. The duration of naps appears to be genetically regulated. So napping has a strong biological basis and biological benefits. Skipping naps now and then probably won’t cause much harm, especially if your child is well rested overall. But skipping naps frequently, especially if night sleep is problematic is more likely to have significant consequences.
