12–18 month old sleep schedule: moving from two naps to one

Toddlers aged 1–2 need about 11–14 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Most start this stage on two naps and, at around 18 months or sometimes sooner, condense them into one afternoon nap, according to KidsHealth on toddler sleep. Once your toddler is on one nap, Sleep Foundation suggests it end at least 3–4.5 hours before bedtime. The move from two naps to one is the big event of these months, and it rarely happens in a straight line.

How much sleep does a 12–18 month old need?

The NHS says babies sleep around 12–15 hours in total after their first birthday, slightly higher than the AASM range. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) gives average totals of 14 hours at 1 year (11 at night, 3 in the day) and 13.5 hours at 18 months (11 at night, 2.5 in the day). Night sleep stays about the same while day sleep shrinks, which is what makes room for the move to one nap.

Wake-window charts from Cleveland Clinic and Sleep Foundation stop at 12 months; Cleveland Clinic's last range is 3–6 hours at 10–12 months. From here, nap timing and tired cues are more useful than counting minutes. The Better Health Channel lists toddler tired cues as clumsier movements, taking longer to do things, irritability and emotional tension.

When do toddlers go from two naps to one?

KidsHealth says that at around 18 months, or sometimes sooner, most toddlers condense their two naps into one afternoon nap. Sleep Foundation describes most children having made the switch by about 18 to 24 months, and its wake-window guide says that between 12 and 18 months most children start napping two or fewer times a day.

Signs your toddler may be ready:

• they resist the morning nap, which KidsHealth calls a sign of readiness for just an afternoon nap
• the morning nap takes a long time to start, or is spent chatting and playing
• the afternoon nap keeps getting shorter, later or skipped
• bedtime drifts later because they're not tired

A few off days aren't a sign on their own. Teething, illness and new skills can all upset naps for a while; see the 12-month sleep regression.

How do you move a toddler from two naps to one?

1. Push the morning nap later in small steps over several days or weeks, until it lands around lunchtime.
2. Move lunch earlier so your toddler eats before the new single nap rather than falling asleep hungry.
3. Expect a mix of one-nap and two-nap days. Sleep Foundation notes that refusing a nap doesn't necessarily mean a child is ready to stop. Follow the day you're having.
4. Bring bedtime earlier while they adjust. KidsHealth on naps suggests an earlier bedtime when a child gives up daytime sleep, and regular naptimes that aren't too close to bedtime.
5. Protect the end of the nap. Aim for it to finish at least 3–4.5 hours before bedtime, as Sleep Foundation suggests, so your toddler is tired enough at night.
6. Offer a quiet rest if sleep doesn't come, with books in the cot or a calm cuddle, rather than forcing sleep.

See two naps to one for a detailed plan.

What does a 12–18 month old's day look like?

These days are examples built from the ranges above, not targets. The meals follow the NHS guide to first solid foods, which describes 3 meals a day from 12 months, with a couple of nutritious snacks between meals if needed.

Example day — adjust to your toddler: two naps (around 12–14 months)

Awake stretches here run about 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, with about 2 hours 30 minutes of daytime sleep.

Example day — adjust to your toddler: one nap (around 15–18 months)

The nap here ends about 4 hours 15 minutes before bed, within Sleep Foundation's 3–4.5 hour suggestion. Sleep Foundation says most toddlers nap for around 1–3 hours a day, and a 2-year-old's afternoon nap typically lasts about 1.5–3 hours. Its own sample day for a 2-year-old starts the nap after lunch, at about 12:30–1 pm.

What time should a toddler go to bed?

There's no single right bedtime, but Sleep Foundation's sample toddler day puts bedtime at about 7–8 pm, with the routine starting from about 6:15–7:15 pm. Working back from your usual wake-up time and the 11–14 hour range is a good way to find yours.

The routine matters more than the exact time:

• Keep it simple and consistent. KidsHealth suggests something like a warm bath and a story, and keeping the routine from getting too long.
• Set the limits ahead. KidsHealth suggests deciding in advance, for example, how many drinks of water you'll allow, so bedtime doesn't become a negotiation.
• Switch screens off early. The AAP's healthy sleep habits page suggests turning screens off at least 60 minutes before bedtime and keeping them out of bedrooms.
• Keep the morning steady. The AAP also suggests the same wake time on weekdays and weekends, and advises against putting children to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.

See bedtime routine and toddler sleep.

How do childcare nap times fit in?

Many toddlers start childcare in this stage, and many childcare rooms have their own rest routine. Some practical steps:

• Share your toddler's pattern with their educators: usual nap times, tired cues and how they like to settle.
• Ask about their rest times, and whether a toddler who still needs a morning sleep can have one while they transition.
• Plan for tired evenings. Some toddlers nap less in a busy room, so an earlier bedtime on childcare days can help.
• Keep home days similar where you can, but don't worry if weekends look a little different.

Why might sleep get harder around 12 months?

New skills arrive fast. The CDC's 1-year milestones include pulling up to stand and walking while holding on to furniture, which many toddlers want to practise at bedtime. KidsHealth lists other common causes of night waking at this age: teething or illness, dreams and nightmares, screens, a cold room, noise from other rooms, and mild separation anxiety. Sleep Foundation says separation anxiety usually resolves by age 2.

Keep the routine steady, respond calmly and briefly at night, and give plenty of active play and outdoor time by day. See the 12-month sleep regression and night wakings.

When should a toddler move from a cot to a bed?

There's no rush. KidsHealth suggests keeping toddlers in a cot while it's safe. If your toddler starts climbing out, lower the mattress to its lowest setting; if the climbing continues, consider moving to a toddler bed or a bed with a side rail. See cot to bed.

Keeping the cot safe for a toddler

KidsHealth says a light blanket is acceptable at this age and a small comfort toy is fine. It advises against cot bumpers (a toddler can use them as a step), extra-large soft toys, and cords, ties or strings within reach. Move curtains, blind cords and wall hangings away from the cot, and childproof the room in case your toddler gets out.

When should you get help with your toddler's sleep?

• Call your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) now if your toddler is struggling to breathe, has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, is floppy, difficult to wake or cannot be woken, is much sleepier than usual and not eating or drinking, or is having a seizure. These are on the NHS list of signs needing urgent help.
• See a doctor today (or call a health advice line (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 in Australia, NHS 111 in the UK, your pediatrician's after-hours line in the US)) if your toddler is eating or drinking much less than usual, has fewer wet nappies than usual, or seems unwell.
• Book a GP or child-health nurse visit soon, rather than waiting for the next check, if your toddler snores most nights. The AAP lists snoring and sleep apnoea as sleep problems to watch for, and its sleep apnoea guide says to tell your doctor right away about frequent snoring.
• Mention it at the next check with your GP or child-health nurse if night waking or bedtime battles are wearing the whole family down.

If you are so exhausted or low that you have thoughts of harming yourself or your child, call a crisis line (Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, 988 in the US) or your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) now.

What's worth noting in a sleep log?

During the nap transition, note each nap's start and end, how long it took your toddler to fall asleep, and bedtime. After a couple of weeks you'll see whether one-nap days are becoming the norm. A log also helps if you want to talk through sleep with a GP or child-health nurse.