17 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

By 17 months old, your toddler’s personality has really begun to shine! At this age, language development really takes off, and you may be amazed at how much your child is talking.

With such a rapidly developing vocabulary, your 17 month old will need plenty of sleep to process and store new memories. Helping your child get enough sleep also improves their mood, and can limit tantrums. Let’s dive in to learn more about healthy sleep habits and ideal sleep schedules for 17 month olds.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

How much should a 17 month old sleep?

Most 17 month olds need between 13 - 14 hours of total sleep per day for proper growth and development. At this age, pediatric sleep experts recommend children get at least 11 hours of nighttime sleep and 2 - 3 hours of sleep during the day.

Every child is different, and their sleep needs can vary. Try not to stress about reaching a specific number of sleep hours — the recommendations are just a general idea. Monitoring your toddler's mood and energy levels is just as important as monitoring their sleep totals, to guarantee they're getting the rest they need.

[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 17 month olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.

Top sleep tip for 17 month olds

By 17 months old, many toddlers are tall enough to begin swinging one leg over the crib rail in an attempt to climb out. When this happens, parents often fear their child will get hurt and question if they should transition them to a toddler bed. Pediatric sleep experts caution against transitioning children to a toddler bed this young. Before the age of 3, children lack impulse control and once the crib rails come, down many toddlers will turn into a “jack-in-the-box,” popping out of bed all throughout the night!

Thankfully, there are a few tricks that can prevent your child from climbing out of their crib. First, lower the crib mattress to the lowest setting. If your child’s crib has a shorter rail in the front, you can also turn the crib around so the shorter side is against the wall. Next, consider ditching pajamas for a toddler sleep sack which limits how much your little one can move their legs. 

Sleep fact for 17 month old babies 

Many parents report their toddler becomes increasingly active and energetic in the hour or so before bed, and wonder if their child is tired enough for sleep, or if bedtime should be later. Being very energetic before bedtime is actually a sign your 17 month old is overtired. When children stay awake longer than what their bodies can comfortably handle, fatigue-fighting hormones set in, sending the child into “overdrive.”

Once your child has caught this “second wind,” you may find it’s more difficult for them to fall asleep at bedtime. Increased adrenaline can also lead to frequent night wakings and . To avoid missing your child’s ideal sleep window, keep an eye on the clock and stick to age-appropriate wake periods. At 17 months, most children need about 4 - 5.5 hours of awake time before bed.

Sample 17 month old sleep schedule

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

• Morning rise: 6:00 AM

• Wake window before nap: 5 hours

• Nap: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (2 hour nap)

• Wake window before bedtime: 5.5 hours

• Get ready for bed: 6:00 PM

• Asleep: 6:30 PM

Naptime schedule for a 17 month old

By 17 months old, most toddlers have transitioned to a , though some children are still taking . It’s also not uncommon for 17 month olds to be in a stage of transition—some days, needing just 1 nap, and other days, needing 2 naps. Once your child has made the transition to a 1-nap schedule, you can expect about 5 hours of awake time before the nap. A typical nap schedule for 17 month olds who are taking 2 naps per day includes approximately 3.25 hours of awake time before the first nap and about 3.5 hours before the second nap.

How long should a 17 month old nap?

17 month olds need 2 - 3 hours of sleep during the day. While still taking 2 naps, you should aim for both naps to be at least 1 hour. Once a child drops their second nap, the remaining nap should be at least 2 hours on average. 

How many naps for a 17 month old?

Most 17 month olds are down to just 1 nap per day. If your 17 month old is still taking 2 naps per day, you can expect them to complete the transition to a 1-nap schedule in the coming weeks.

2-nap schedule

1-nap schedule

Bedtime for a 17 month old

A consistent bedtime routine is very important for toddlers, especially as they begin to test boundaries. 17 month olds may try to test boundaries by crawling away when it’s time to read, dumping a basket of toys on the floor, or emptying all their clothes out of a drawer, for example.

Behaviors like these are designed to get attention, and are very amusing to your toddler! However, it’s important not to give them too much attention, since doing so can make it into a “game,” and make it difficult to get your child to bed on time. As long as your child is safe, you may find that continuing on with reading (even if your child won’t sit still) sends a stronger message.

What time should a 17 month old go to bed?

Bedtime for 17 month olds should be early enough to allow for 11 - 12 hours of sleep overnight. For many families, this means their 17 month old’s bedtime is between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. If your child has recently transitioned to 1 nap, or is napping less than the recommended 2 hours per day, don’t be afraid to move bedtime earlier — although we don’t recommend bedtimes before 6:00 PM.

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 an . Also check out a to see how far your little one has come.