27 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

If your 27 month old is experiencing new sleep challenges like nap protests and bedtime stalling, rest assured this is not uncommon toddler behavior. It’s developmentally appropriate [] for children to push boundaries at this age. However, new sleep issues may also signal the need for a slight schedule change.   

In this article, we’ll give you an idea of how and when to make adjustments to toddler sleep, give you an overview of how much sleep your child may need at 27 months, and answer frequently asked questions about 2 year old sleep. 

IN THIS ARTICLE: 

How much should a 27 month old sleep?

Toddlers at 27 months may sleep around 10 - 11 hours overnight and 1.5 - 2.5 hours during their daily midday nap. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11 - 14 hours [] of total sleep per day for children at 2. Keep in mind these ranges are guidelines. If your child needs more or less than this, that’s OK too! Sleep needs vary. However, if you notice any red flags when it comes to your child’s sleep, reach out to their pediatrician. 

Most children aren’t ready to completely at 27 months, even though periods of sleep resistance can be typical at this age. If your child is suddenly going through a nap strike, this may be a sign that they need a slight schedule change. Toddlers tend to do well with around 5.5 hours of awake time before their daily nap, but every child is different. Your little one may need more awake time in this scenario.

We also often see meltdowns around sleep at this age. Rest assured tantrums are developmentally appropriate [] — and temporary. We suggest setting boundaries so your child feels secure and confident about knowing what to expect. Offering two age-appropriate choices (“Would you like the red pajamas or the green pajamas?”) can help prevent bedtime battles by giving your little one a sense of control. 

Here's a quick overview of what you may expect when it comes to 27 month olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.

Top sleep tips for 27 month olds

A common sleep challenge around 27 months is waking early due to hunger. It’s easier for a child to sleep when their tummy is full! To help your child get the rest they need, we recommend offering lunch 30 - 45 minutes before their nap. We also suggest providing a later dinner or pre-bedtime snack as it can be difficult for toddlers to go 12+ hours overnight between dinner and breakfast. Here are some ideas for easy-to-digest, quick, and filling food options: 

• PB&J

• Cheese + crackers

• Yogurt 

Sleep fact for 27 month old toddlers 

If your child is stalling at bedtime, you’re not alone. This is not uncommon toddler behavior. Children may need more time to wind down for sleep at this age so it’s normal and appropriate to need a longer (~45 mins) bedtime routine. We often find it helpful to carry out pre-sleep routines in dim lighting in order to help your little one fall asleep quickly. In this case, you could start a longer bedtime routine earlier to maintain their normal bedtime, or push bedtime a little later if it seems as though your child isn’t quite sleepy enough when it’s time to sleep.

Sample 27 month old sleep schedule

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

Naptime schedule for a 2 year old

We recommend continuing to offer a daily nap to your 27 month old, even in periods of sleep resistance. Most toddlers at this age and aren’t quite ready to stop napping completely. We typically see around 5.5 of awake time in the morning before midday sleep. 

How long should a 2 year old nap?

Toddlers typically sleep for around 1.5 - 2 hours each day during their one nap. It’s not uncommon for 27 month olds to sleep more or less than this. However, keep in mind if naps are very short or long, overnight sleep may be impacted. For instance, a child who takes a long (or late) afternoon nap may have a hard time falling asleep at bedtime that night. On the other hand, a particularly short nap can make it difficult for a toddler to make it to their normal bedtime. In this case, we recommend offering an early bedtime (but not earlier than 6:00 PM) to limit overtiredness.  

How many naps for a 2 year old?

Children at 27 months usually take one nap per day at around midday. We recommend offering lunch to toddlers before their nap to help prevent them from waking early due to hunger. 

1-nap schedule

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

1-nap schedule with shorter nap/early bedtime

If your child typically takes a shorter nap, or has not slept at all on a particular day, consider moving bedtime earlier to avoid overtiredness. Children who are too tired during the day may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep at night. 

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

Bedtime for 27 month olds

This is a common age where we see an due to all of the growing and changing children go through. If your 2 year old is suddenly experiencing sleep challenges like resisting bedtime, waking more frequently overnight, or waking early in the morning, we’d consider this a . Contrary to popular belief, sleep regressions don’t occur at prescribed times — they can happen anytime! 

There are lots of factors that may impact sleep at 27 months, milestones like , , , and . If your little one is experiencing a sleep regression, there are a few ways we recommend navigating this period of challenging sleep: 

• Maintain healthy sleep habits (Continuing, for example)

• Continue to offer daytime sleep at an

• Set realistic expectations. Patience can be key during a sleep regression! Sometimes kids take a few weeks to return to normal sleep habits after a period of separation anxiety or mastering a new milestone

What time should a 27 month old go to bed?

Children at 27 months may do best with a consistent bedtime that allows for around 6 hours of awake time after their afternoon nap. Ideally, toddlers get around 10 - 11 hours of overnight sleep, so if your child typically wakes at 6 AM, bedtime will likely be around 7 - 8 PM. A regular bedtime can help regulate the body’s internal clock, which can lead to more quality, restful sleep. 

It’s OK to maintain the same bedtime if your child’s nap durations change from day to day. However, we recommend moving bedtime earlier if the nap is skipped entirely. An earlier bedtime can help prevent overtiredness, which can lead to poor sleep. Note that if your child falls asleep before 6:00 PM, this may lead to a cycle of early rising that can be hard to shift later.  

When it comes to bedtime, also account for shifts in nap patterns. For instance, if your child’s nap had been at noon and now they are going to sleep at 12:30 PM and waking up 30 minutes later than usual, you may want to adjust bedtime a little later. A later bedtime may make it easier for them to fall asleep at night. 

Note that it may take some time to get your child’s sleep schedule “right” at this age, especially if they’re in the midst of a sleep regression, nap strike, or need a schedule change. Toddler sleep can be tricky! Overall, it can be helpful to consider your child’s overall mood and energy levels in addition to the number of hours they’re sleeping per day when determining if they’re getting enough rest. 

Takeaway

• Most children at 27 months do best with around 10 - 11 hours of night sleep and one nap. 

• Toddlers typically take one midday nap at this age, though there may be periods where they resist daytime sleep or skip naps. Most children at 2 aren’t ready to stop napping yet. If your child regularly protests naps, this may indicate the need for a schedule change. Consider moving the nap a little later to see if this helps them fall asleep more easily. 

• 2 year olds often need around 5.5 - 6 hours of awake time before and after their daily nap.

• A consistent bedtime may lead to more restful sleep for your 2 year old. However, consider moving bedtime earlier if your child has skipped a nap that day. 

If you're curious about what lies ahead in the coming month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience when your little one is on a . Or take a look back at a .