13 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

Updated Feb 23, 2024
13 Month Old Sleep Schedule Blog Header - Baby

It’s common to see some nap skipping at this age, as children begin to outgrow their 2-nap schedule windows. You may have some days with 1 nap and other days with 2 naps; we recommend continuing to offer 2 naps a day. On days that naps are short, or a nap is skipped, offer an earlier bedtime to limit overtiredness.

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.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

How much should a 13 month old sleep?

Sample 13 month old sleep schedule

Naptime schedule for a 13 month old

Bedtime for a 13 month old

13 month old baby sleep FAQ


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. (And you may already know this if you've recently dealt with the 12 month sleep regression.) 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 just as crucial as the hours they log in order to make sure they're getting the rest they need.

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

Some older babies really enjoy the routine of throwing their pacifier out of the crib at bedtime. Fun game for baby, not so fun for mom and dad! 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 at bedtime, getting them used to only having a limited amount. 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 1 nearby when they wake during the night, meaning they won't need to call out for your help.

If your baby has started to wake early, consider whether dinner is being offered too early in the evening. Many babies this age have difficulty going 12 hours (or more) in between meals. This means a 5:00 PM dinner can lead to a 5:00 AM morning wake up, which is a tough sleep habit to break.

13 month old sleep time, nap time and bedtime schedule (sample)

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

A 13 month old’s nap schedule should allow 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.

Plan for 2 naps a day. The morning nap is typically 3.25 hours after waking in the morning, 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 wake window before each nap by 15 - 30 minutes.

Using SweetSpot for nap transitions

If you are using SweetSpot, this would also be a good time to update your settings in the Huckleberry app to 1 - 2 naps to give you the flexibility to get SweetSpot alerts for days you may see a missed nap.

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

Morning rise6:30 AM
1st nap9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (1 hour nap) 3.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap
2nd nap2:15 PM - 3:15 PM (1 hour nap) 3.5 hours of awake time before 2nd nap
Get ready for sleep6:30 PM
Asleep7:15 PM 4 hours of awake time before bed
Morning rise 6:30 AM
Nap 11:15 AM - 1:30 PM (2.25 hour nap) 4.75 hours of awake time before nap
Get ready for sleep 6:00 PM
Asleep 6:45 PM 5.25 hours of awake time before bed
Daily nap schedule for 13 month old

Ideally, your 13 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 a better option than prematurely transitioning to a 1-nap schedule.

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

13 month old baby sleep FAQ

Q: Can a 13 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 and gets enough calories throughout the day, they’re more likely to sleep 11 - 12 hours without needing a feeding, or calling out for your assistance.

Q: How often do 13 month old babies sleep?

A:

When establishing your 13 month old’s sleep schedule, you’ll want to keep wake windows between 3.25 - 4 hours long. Generally, babies will stay awake for about 3.25 hours in the morning before their first nap, and 3.5 hours before their second nap. Most 13 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 13 month old?

A:

Ideally, your 13 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, many pediatric sleep experts agree that you’ll want to ensure that they get at least the minimum of 10 hours of nighttime sleep.

Q: How much awake time for a 13 month old?

A:

The ideal wake window for 13 month olds tends to be between 3.25 - 4 hours long. Generally, the first wake 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. On days your baby skips a nap, they’ll likely be awake for about 5 hours in between sleep periods.

Q: How much daytime sleep for a 13 month old?

A:

Target 2 - 3 hours of day sleep for your 13 month old’s nap schedule, divided between a morning and afternoon nap.

Q: Is there a 13 month old nap regression?

A:

Your baby’s development means it’s common for them to start resisting day sleep. Since dropping a nap too early can lead to sleep difficulties, we recommend lengthening the wake windows between naps rather than fully 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.