Toddler Wake Windows: Sleep Schedules for 12–24Months
As your baby grows into a toddler, their sleep needs evolve. Wake windows lengthen dramatically, and many children shift from two naps to one. Keeping an eye on these longer windows helps prevent an overtired toddler and preserves those precious quiet hours at night.
Wake Window Ranges
Experts agree that wake windows increase steadily throughout the second year of life. Dr.HarveyKarp’s guide lists wake windows of 3–5hours for 11–14month olds and 4–6hours for 15–24month olds. Napper’s chart notes that toddlers aged 14–24months stay awake 4–6hours between sleep periods. Dr.Golly adds that by two years, children may handle 5–6hours between sleep.
| Age | Wake Window | Number of Naps |
|---|---|---|
| 12–14months | 3–4hours | Usually two naps (morning and afternoon). Some toddlers start resisting the morning nap. |
| 15–18months | 4–5hours | Transition period from two naps to one. Watch for signs such as refusing one nap or taking longer to fall asleep at night. |
| 18–24months | 4.5–6hours | Most toddlers are on a single midday nap lasting 1½–2hours. |
Sample Schedules
12‑Month‑Old (Two Naps)
- 07:00 – Wake and breakfast.
- 10:00–11:00 – Nap1.
- 11:00–14:30 – Play, lunch, errands.
- 14:30–16:00 – Nap2.
- 16:00–19:30 – Snack, outdoor play, dinner, bedtime routine.
18‑Month‑Old (Transition to One Nap)
If your toddler begins skipping the morning nap or taking a long time to fall asleep at bedtime, it may be time to switch to one nap. Expect some days with two naps and some with one as you transition.
- 06:30 – Wake and breakfast.
- 11:30–13:30 – Midday nap (1½–2hours).
- 13:30–19:00 – Lunch, park play, story time, dinner, bedtime routine.
Activities for Toddlers
- Gross motor fun: Encourage climbing, running, and dancing. Soft play areas or parks are great for burning energy.
- Fine motor development: Offer crayons for scribbling, stacking blocks, shape sorters, and simple puzzles.
- Pretend play: Toy kitchens, stuffed animals, and dress‑up clothes nurture imagination.
- Outdoor exploration: In Jaipur’s mild mornings, visit gardens or markets. Point out colors, animals, and vehicles; let your toddler walk holding your hand.
Transition Tips
- Watch for readiness: Signs that your toddler is ready for one nap include consistently refusing a nap, taking very short naps, or bedtime creeping later. Don’t rush the transition; some toddlers need two naps until 18 months.
- Adjust bedtime: When you drop a nap, bedtime may need to move earlier. A well‑rested child falls asleep faster and sleeps longer overnight.
- Create a calm nap routine: Even older toddlers benefit from predictable pre‑nap rituals like reading a story and closing curtains.
- Provide choices: Offering a choice between two books or two pajamas gives toddlers a sense of control and can reduce resistance at sleep times.
Sources
- Happiest Baby outlines wake window ranges of 3–5hours for 11–14month olds and 4–6hours for toddlers 15–24months.
- Napper’s wake window chart shows that toddlers 14–24months typically stay awake 4–6hours between sleep periods.
- Dr.Golly’s guide indicates that 18‑month‑olds can handle 4.5–5hours of awake time and two‑year‑olds 5–6hours.