12 Month Old Sleep Development:
At 12 months old we’ll continue to aim for at least 13.5 hours of total sleep per day (11-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours of day sleep over 2 naps). Most children need 3-4 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.
[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]
Don’t be alarmed if your child starts resisting naps. It’s common to see nap regressions at this age. Rather than transitioning to one nap right now (which can lead to chronic overtiredness and result in sleep issues), we recommend stretching the awake windows out a bit longer in order to preserve the 2-nap schedule for a bit longer.
Here’s a typical 12 month old schedule:
Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example.
Sleep Tip:
It might be time for more coziness! Check with your pediatrician about whether it’s a good time to introduce a pillow or lovey into their sleep space.
Sleep Fact:
Many daycare providers move children to one nap at this age. Offering an earlier bedtime on one-nap days (and sticking to two naps on the weekend) can help make the adjustment easier.