20 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

Is your 20 month old’s bedtime later than you feel it should be at this age? As your toddler gets closer to 2 years old, you’ll find that their wake windows are lengthening. As a result, it’s common for bedtime to get later, which can be surprising — and, let’s face it, sometimes tough — if you’ve started to enjoy your kid-free evening hours.

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How much should a 20 month old sleep?

When your child is around 20 months, continue to aim for about 13 hours of total sleep per day (11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of day sleep in one nap). Most children need 5 - 5.75 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.

Keep in mind that each child is unique and their sleep needs can vary. Don't stress about reaching specific sleep hour targets, the recommended hours are just a rough estimate. Monitoring your child's mood and energy levels is just as crucial as keeping track of their sleep, to ensure they're getting the rest they require.

Also note that children may go through a period of sudden disrupted sleep around this age, commonly referred to as the. Some resources have parents convinced that chaos will ensue at predetermined ages, but sleep is impacted by so many factors that it’s a bit more complicated than that. Your child may have a sudden and significant decline in sleep patterns sleep at 20 months instead of 18 months.

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

Top sleep tip for 20 month olds

As toddlers gain more independence, you may find they start taking a looong time making choices. They want to do everything themselves — regardless of, you know, their actual capabilities at this age! If you find that your during their bedtime routine, it can help to offer definitive choices. Consider options like, “Do you want to wear the red pajamas or the blue ones?” or, “Would you like to brush your teeth or wash your face first?” This can help children feel in control while also ensuring more cooperation at bedtime.

Sleep fact for 20 month old babies 

Some toddlers this age will suddenly start to protest at bedtime due to rearing its head again. Consider experimenting with leaving their bedroom door open or introducing a night light (choose one free of blue light). These measures can help your toddler feel more secure at bedtime, while still maintaining healthy independent sleep habits (a.k.a. you don’t have to spend an hour trying to silently creep out of their room after helping them fall asleep). We recommend closing their door after they drift off to sleep. In case of a fire in your home, having the bedroom closed may help slow the spread of fire and smoke.

Sample 20 month old sleep schedule

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

• Morning rise: 7:00 AM

• Wake window before nap: 5 hours

• Nap: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (2 hour nap)

• Get ready for bed: 7:00 PM

• Wake window before bedtime: 5.75 hours

• Asleep: 7:45 PM

Naptime schedule for a 20 month old

A typical schedule for 20 months old should include a nap in the middle of the day, approximately 5 hours after morning waking. If you’d like a more predictable nap schedule, consider waking your child within the same 30-minute window each day.

How long should a 20 month old nap?

A 20 month old’s nap schedule should allow for 2 - 3 hours of day sleep during one nap. Most toddlers need between 5 and 5.75 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.

How many naps for a 20 month old?

Aim for , with naptime beginning typically 5 hours after waking in the morning. Be sure to offer lunch before the nap so your toddler doesn’t wake up early because they’re hungry. 

If your child is struggling to make it to bedtime without becoming overtired, consider moving bedtime earlier (but no earlier than 6:00 PM).

Here are some examples of what your day might look like at this age:

1-nap schedule

1-nap schedule with short nap/early bedtime

Bedtime for a 20 month old

If your toddler is struggling to fall asleep at bedtime, consider whether the awake period between nap and bedtime is age-appropriate. Insufficient awake time before bed lots of playing in the crib before eventually falling asleep, whereas overtired toddlers are more likely to cry.

What time should a 20 month old go to bed?

Ideally, your 20 month old will be, so bedtime should be about 12 - 13 hours after waking in the morning (as long as your child naps well). If your toddler takes a short nap, offer an earlier bedtime to limit overtiredness, which often leads to shortened nighttime sleep.

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 a to see how far your little one has come.