13 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

Has your little one been napping well then suddenly daytime sleep has gone sideways? It’s common to see some skipped naps at 13 months, as kiddos begin to outgrow their 2-nap schedule wake windows.

In this article, we'll give you advice for skipped naps, walk you through a typical 13 month old sleep schedule, and let you know about the 2-1 nap transition.

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How much should a 13 month old sleep?

At 13 months old, we’ll continue to aim for around 13.25 hours of total sleep per day (11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of day sleep over 2 naps). Most babies need 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.

Baby sleep can be a tricky thing and every little one is different. Don't stress over meeting a certain number of hours — the recommendations are just that: recommendations. Paying attention to your baby's mood and energy levels is another great way of ensuring they’re getting the rest they need.

Here's a quick overview of what you may expect when it comes to 13 month olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.

Want a personalized sleep schedule for your 13 month old?

With our Schedule Creator, you can customize this sleep schedule to your toddler, taking into account their morning rise time, bedtime, and hours of sleep per night. We'll do the rest to build in age-appropriate wake windows between sleeps!

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Top sleep tip for 13 month olds

Some older babies really enjoy the routine of throwing their pacifier out of the crib at bedtime. Fun game for baby, but not so fun for parents! Instead of placing a handful of pacifiers in the crib at bedtime (just to be thrown overboard anyway), try giving them just 1 or 2, so they’re used to having a limited number. Then, pop back in after your child has fallen asleep and place a few extra in the crib. That way, your baby will be sure to have one nearby when they wake overnight, instead of calling out for your help.

Sample 13 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

Want a personalized sleep schedule for your little one?

With our Schedule Creator, you can customize this sleep schedule to your child and we'll do the rest to build in age-appropriate wake windows between sleeps.

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Naptime schedule for a 13 month old

How long should a 13 month old nap?

We recommend that a 13 month old’s nap schedule allows for 2 - 3 hours of day sleep. Expect your baby to take 2 naps each day, ideally, each about 60 - 120 minutes long. Most babies need between 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time in between naps at this age.

How many naps for a 13 month old?

Plan for 2 naps a day. At this age, a set nap schedule tends to work best. Wake windows typically range from 3.25 to 4 hours, with the shortest window in the morning and the longest before bedtime. A common approach is to set the morning nap around 3.25 - 3.5 hours after typical wake up time and the afternoon nap about 3.5 – 4 hours after the first nap usually ends. However, if you find that your baby is consistently resisting or skipping naps, consider lengthening the wake window before nap times by 15 - 30 minutes. 

It’s common to see some skipped naps at this age, as children begin to outgrow their 2-nap schedule wake windows. Though you may have some days with 1 nap and other days with 2 naps, we recommend continuing to offer 2 naps a day to limit overtiredness.

Some babies may have already moved to a 1-nap schedule due to factors like daycare. This can lead to new sleep issues like increased night waking and early rising. If this is the case, we recommend offering a second nap when possible (on weekends or non-daycare days) to avoid overtiredness as your child adjusts to this new schedule and longer awake times.

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

2-nap schedule

1-nap schedule

Bedtime for a 13 month old

What time should a 13 month old go to bed?

Most 13 month olds need 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. A later bedtime is typically preferable over prematurely transitioning to a 1-nap schedule.

On a day your baby skips a nap, you’ll want to offer an earlier bedtime limit overtiredness, which often leads to shortened nighttime sleep.

Why does my 13 month old keep waking up at night?

At 13 months, your child may be waking up overnight more than usual. If this is the case, here are a few factors that may be at play: 

• Falling asleep with assistance and desiring the same support overnight 

• Dropping to 1 nap prematurely 

• Needing a schedule adjustment

• Mastering milestones 

• Hunger

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

Is there a sleep regression at 13 months old?

Fortunately, there’s not a predestined “13 month sleep regression” that will wreak havoc on sleep the second your child turns this age. Instead, sleep regressions can happen anytime. Around a child’s first birthday is a common time for them to have new sleep challenges, typically thanks to evolving sleep needs and working on new milestones (like walking and talking). The good news is that sleep regressions tend resolve in a couple of weeks if kiddos have a solid sleep foundation. 

Can my 13 month old sleep with a pacifier?

Pacifiers can be used during sleep and awake times at 13 months. Your 1 year old can likely replace their own paci if it falls out during sleep. To increase the likelihood of this, we recommend putting a couple in their crib so they can easily find one and pop it back in instead of calling out for you to help. Make sure you’re checking pacis over time to be sure they haven’t turned color or torn over time, especially if your little one has teeth. It’s best to replace old binkies if you see signs of wear and tear [1].

Can I sleep train a 13 month old?

Sleep training can help a useful tool at 13 months if you’re looking to remove parent-led sleep associations and teach your child to fall asleep on their own. If you’re worried about “cry it out” methods, note that there are many ways to sleep train. Some are slower and more gradual while others are faster and prioritize results. Caregivers should decide which method fits their family. 

Can a 13 month old sleep on their stomach or side?

The AAP recommends putting babies flat on their backs during sleep times [2]. However, it’s OK to let them sleep on their stomach or back if they got into the position on their own and they can roll both ways on their own (front to back and back to front). 

What are the developmental milestones for a 13 month old?

At 13 months, your little one may be trying new things like taking steps and saying a few words. Here’s a list of milestones your baby may working towards at this age. 

• May take a few independent steps

• Learning to crawl up stairs

• Attempts to use utensils and drink from a cup independently

• Turns a single thick page 

• Says one or two words other than “mama” and “dada”

• Look at a familiar object after you name it

• Understands around 50 words

• May say “no” or use gestures to express strong opinions/ideas

Does a 13 month old need to eat during the night?

Most babies won't need to eat overnight at 13 months. If you suspect your child is waking up overnight or early in the morning due to hunger, try to ensure they’re getting enough calories and physical activity throughout the day. Also consider when your kiddo is eating dinner. If their mealtime is on the early side, try moving it a little closer to bedtime or offering a healthy snack before bed.

Takeaway

• We recommend around 13.25 hours of total sleep per 24-hour period at 13 months. This usually breaks down to 11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep split between 2 naps. Babies at this age typically need 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time between sleep periods.

• It's common for 13 month olds to resist naps. We suggest continuing to offer 2 naps per day (instead of moving to a 1-nap schedule), but skipped naps happen! If your child skips a nap or has a very short nap, try moving bedtime earlier that night to limit overtiredness. On the flip side, if they take a later afternoon nap, it’s OK to push bedtime later. 

• Factors like working on new developmental milestones (like walking and talking), teething, hunger, and outgrowing wake windows can contribute to new sleep challenges at 13 months.

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 14 month sleep schedule. Also check out a 12 month sleep schedule to see how far your little one has come.