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

Happy first birthday to your little one! At 12 months your child has many exciting new milestones on the horizon. However, along with this development, it’s common for new sleep challenges to pop up too, like nap resistance and/or more overnight waking. 

This period of bumpy sleep is often referred to as a “1 year sleep regression” and may have you thinking that it’s time to drop your kiddo’s second nap. However, 12 months is typically too early to fully transition to a 1-nap schedule. Rather than moving to 1 nap now (which can lead to chronic overtiredness and result in disruptive sleep habits), we recommend lengthening wake windows and sticking to a 2-nap schedule for a while longer. 

In this article we’ll walk you through an age-appropriate 12 month sleep schedule, provide tips for better rest, and give you the lowdown on night sleep at this age.  

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 remember that every baby is different and there’s a range of normal when it comes to sleep. Don't worry about hitting a certain number of hours. The recommended sleep hours are simply a rough guide. It’s equally important to pay attention to your child's mood and energy levels to ensure they are getting sufficient sleep.

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 introducing a pillow or lovey into your baby’s sleep space after their first birthday [].

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?

Ideally, a 12 month old’s nap schedule allows for 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep, with each nap between 60 - 120 minutes long. Expect your baby to take each day, unless they’ve moved to a 1-nap schedule due to daycare. Most babies do best with a set schedule that allows for 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time between naps at this age.

How many naps are expected for a 12 month old?

At 12 months, most babies are taking 2 naps per day. The morning nap is typically 3.25 - 3.5 hours after waking, and the afternoon nap should be offered about 3.5 - 3.75 hours after your baby typically wakes from the first nap. If you find that your kiddo 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?

Most12 month olds do best 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 OK as long as your baby averages at least 10 hours of sleep each night and is typically a preferable option than prematurely transitioning to a 1-nap schedule. (That said, if your little one skips a nap, we recommend moving bedtime earlier to avoid overtiredness.)

Why does my 12 month old keep waking up at night?

If your newly minted 1 year old is waking up at night more frequently, some contributing factors may be: 

• Dropping to 1 nap prematurely 

• Needing a schedule adjustment

• Mastering milestones 

• Hunger

• Falling asleep with assistance and desiring the same support overnight

If you’re looking for more sleep support, consider submitting for a personalized, step-by-ste Sleep Plan via .

Is there a sleep regression at 12 months old?

Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a predestined “” that will affect all children as soon as their birthday rolls around. However, this is a common time for kids to experience new sleep challenges, often due to evolving sleep needs and working on new milestones. 

Can my 12 month old sleep with a pacifier?

Yes, 12 month olds can use a pacifier for sleep and awake times []. Often 1 year olds are developmentally capable of replacing their pacifier if it falls out while sleeping. We recommend putting a couple in their sleep space to increase the likelihood that they can replace it themselves (instead of calling out for you to help) when they wake overnight. Also check periodically to ensure the rubber hasn’t changed color or torn over time, especially if your little one has teeth. Replace old pacifiers if you see signs of wear and tear.

Can I sleep train a 12 month old?

If your baby is , sleep training can help eliminate parent-led sleep associations and teach them to fall asleep on their own. There are many techniques, ranging from gentle and gradual to faster and more intense. There’s no “right” way to do it — caregivers should decide which method fits their family. 

Can a 12 month old sleep on their stomach or side?

The AAP recommends placing babies flat on their back for sleep []. At 12 months, if your little one has rolled to their stomach or side during sleep, it’s OK to leave them in that position if they can roll both ways on their own (front to back and back to front). 

What are the developmental milestones for a 12 month old?

As a newly minted , your little one may be trying some of these things: 

• Does a version of crawling 

• Walks while holding furniture 

• May stand and take steps alone 

• Gets into a sitting position without help

• Manipulates objects with their hands 

• Imitates scribbles at 12 months, scribbles spontaneously closer to 2

• Experiments with noises that sound like intelligible speech

• May say 2 - 3 words at 12 months, says 15+ words at 18 months 

• Uses and imitates gestures 

• Learns 3 body parts by 12 - 15 months 

• Develops preferences for people and toys

• Requests attention from parents using sounds and actions

Note there’s a wide range of normal at 12 months and it’s OK if your baby isn’t doing these things quite yet. Contact their healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about your baby’s development.

Does a 12 month old need to eat during the night?

Night feedings are typically not needed at . To help your child sleep better overnight, ensure they’re getting sufficient calories and physical activity throughout the day. Also consider the timing of dinner and bedtime. If your 1 year old is eating dinner on the early side, they may wake up hungry early in the morning. 

Takeaway

• We recommend around 13.25 hours of total sleep per 24-hour period at 12 months. This typically looks like 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.

• If your baby is regularly skipping or resisting naps, consider lengthening their wake windows instead of moving to a 1-nap schedule before they’re truly ready. Dropping a nap prematurely often leads to more sleep challenges. 

• If your child skips a nap or has a very short nap, consider moving bedtime earlier to limit overtiredness. On the other hand, if they take a later afternoon nap, it’s OK to push bedtime later.

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.