12 month / 1 year old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

Don’t be alarmed if your 12 month old baby starts resisting naps. It may be common for a at this age (especially for naps), but it’s typically too early to transition fully to a 1-nap schedule. Rather than dropping to 1 nap right now (which can lead to chronic overtiredness and result in disruptive sleep habits), we recommend lengthening the wake windows to preserve the 2-nap schedule for a bit longer.

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How much should a 12 month old sleep?

At 12 months old, we’ll aim for at least (11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep over 2 naps). Most babies need 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time between sleep periods at this age.

It's important to bear in mind that baby sleep needs can differ, and what is considered normal and healthy has a wide range. Don't worry about hitting a certain number of hours. The recommended sleep hours are simply a rough guide, and it's equally important to pay attention to your child's mood and energy levels to ensure they are getting sufficient sleep.

[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]

Here's a quick overview of what you may expect when it comes to 12 month olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.

Top sleep tip for 12 month olds

It might be time for more coziness at bedtime! Check with your pediatrician about after their first birthday.

Sleep fact for 12 month old babies 

Many daycare providers move children to 1 nap at this age, which can lead to a lot of overtiredness by the time you start your baby’s bedtime routine. Offering an earlier bedtime on 1-nap days (and sticking to 2 naps on the weekend or other non-daycare days) can help make the adjustment easier.

Sample 12 month old sleep schedule

Note: Sleep needs vary by child, and this chart should be viewed as an example.

• Morning rise: 6:30 AM

• Wake window before first nap: 3.25 hours

• First nap: 9:45 - 10:45 AM (1 hour nap)

• Wake window before second nap: 3.5 hours

• Second nap: 2:15 - 3:15 PM (1 hour nap)

• Get ready for bed: 6:30 PM

• Wake window before bedtime: 4 hours

• Asleep: 7:15 PM

Naptime schedule for a 12 month old

How long should a 12 month old nap?

A 12 month old’s nap schedule should allow for 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep. Expect your baby to take each day. Ideally, each will be about 60 - 120 minutes long. Most babies need between 3.25 and 4 hours of awake time between naps at this age.

How many naps are expected for a 12 month old?

Plan for 2 naps a day. The morning nap is typically 3.25 hours after waking, and the afternoon nap should be offered about 3.5 hours after your baby typically wakes from the first nap. However, if you find that your baby is consistently resisting naps, consider lengthening the before each nap by 15 - 30 minutes.

Here’s an example of what your day may look like at this age:

2-nap schedule with standard wake windows

2-nap schedule with longer wake windows

Bedtime for a 12 month old

What time should a 12 month old go to bed?

Ideally, your 12 month old will be getting 11 - 12 hours of sleep at night, so bedtime should be 12 - 13 hours after waking in the morning. That said, some babies this age need longer periods of wakefulness between naps, which means bedtime will be shifted later.

If your baby resists the typical 2-nap schedule and needs more awake time between naps, expect that night sleep will temporarily be shorter. This is usually okay as long as your baby averages at least 10 hours of sleep each night and is a better option than prematurely transitioning to a 1-nap schedule.

If you're curious about what lies ahead in the coming month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is on a . Also check out an to see how far your little one has come.