12 month / 1 year old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule
Updated Feb 01, 2023
Don’t be alarmed if your 12 month old baby starts resisting naps. It’s common to see nap regressions at this age, 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.
Editor’s note
The recommendations listed below represent the average amount of sleep typically needed at this age. However, please note there is a range of normal as some children have lower or higher sleep needs. Your child’s schedule may vary, and that is normal.
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How much should a 12 month old sleep?
At 12 months old, we’ll aim for at least 13.25 hours of total sleep per 24-hour period (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.]
Top sleep tip for 12 month olds
It might be time for more coziness at bedtime! Check with your pediatrician about introducing a pillow or lovey into your baby’s sleep space 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.
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 2 naps 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 awake window 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
| Morning rise | 6:30 AM |
| 1st nap | 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (1 hour nap); 3.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap |
| 2nd nap | 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM (1 hour nap); 3.5 hours of awake time before 2nd nap |
| Get ready for sleep | 6:30 PM |
| Asleep | 7:15 PM; 4 hours of awake time before bed |
2-nap schedule with longer wake windows
| Morning rise | 6:30 AM |
| 1st nap | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (1 hour nap); 3.5 hours of awake time before 1st nap |
| 2nd nap | 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM (1 hour nap); 3.75 hours of awake time before 2nd nap |
| Get ready for sleep | 7:00 PM |
| Asleep | 7:45 PM; 4 hours of awake time before bed |
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.
12 month old baby sleep FAQ
Q: Can a 12 month old baby sleep through the night?
A:
Yes, many babies this age can sleep through the night without parental assistance. If your baby has strong independent sleeping skills, gets enough calories and is active throughout the day, and has a reasonable bedtime, they’re more likely to sleep 11 - 12 hours without needing a feeding or calling out for your assistance.
Q: How often do 12 month old babies sleep?
A:
When establishing your 12 month old’s sleep schedule, you’ll want to keep awake windows between 3.25 and 4 hours long. Generally, babies stay awake for about 3.25 hours in the morning before their first nap and 3.5 hours before their second nap. Most 12 month olds need about 4 hours of awake time before bed in order to be sufficiently tired for a long night’s sleep.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for a 12 month old?
A:
Ideally, your 12 month old baby will sleep for 11 - 12 hours at night. However, sleep needs do vary. If your baby has lower sleep needs than the average 13.25 hours of total sleep in 24 hours, many pediatric sleep experts agree that you’ll want to ensure they get a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime sleep.
Q: How much awake time for a 12 month old?
A:
Awake times for a 12 month old tend to be between 3.25 and 4 hours long. Generally, the first awake window of the day is the shortest, so expect that they’ll need at least 3.25 hours of wakefulness before their first nap. As the day progresses, your baby will be able to stay awake for longer periods, resulting in the longest window of awake time before bed, lasting about 4 hours.
Q: How much daytime sleep for a 12 month old?
A:
Target 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep for your 12 month old’s nap schedule, divided between a morning and afternoon nap.
Q: Is there a 12 month old nap regression?
A:
As a result of their growth and development, it’s common for babies to start resisting daytime sleep. Since dropping a nap too early can lead to sleep difficulties, we recommend lengthening the awake windows between naps rather than transitioning to a 1-nap schedule at this age.
Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
