Evie Summers
A 15-month-old baby typically needs 12-15 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, including 10-12 hours of night sleep and 2-3 hours of daytime sleep. While some babies this age may transition to one nap a day, others may still need two. When transitioning from two to one nap, it's important to ensure your baby can handle a morning wake window of 5-6 hours without becoming overtired. To achieve longer night sleep, it's recommended to cap daytime naps at 2-3 hours and maintain a bedtime between 7:00-8:00 pm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Sleep | 12-15 hours in a 24-hour period |
| Night Sleep | 10-12 hours |
| Daytime Sleep | 2-3 hours |
| Number of Naps | 1-2 |
| Nap Length | 45 minutes to 2 hours |
| Wake Windows | 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Bedtime | 7:00-8:00 PM |
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What You'll Learn
Transitioning from two to one nap
The transition from two to one nap can be a big one for 15-month-old babies and their parents. It's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the transition may look different for each child. The key is to let your baby take the lead and adjust sleep times accordingly.
Most 15-month-olds need around 13.5 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including 11 hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep and 2.5 hours of daytime naps. When taking two naps, this usually means a nap of 1.5 hours and another of 45 minutes to 1 hour. When transitioning to one nap, this longer nap should be around 2.5 hours.
There are some signs that your baby may be ready to transition to one nap. Firstly, they should be able to handle a morning wake window of around 5-6 hours without becoming overtired. You may also notice that they begin to have trouble falling asleep at naptime and bedtime, or they may be happy and playful in the late morning, skipping their post-breakfast nap. These signs should be consistent for around 1-2 weeks before making the transition.
When transitioning, you can start by moving the first nap later by 15-30 minute intervals every few days. You may need to offer a shorter catnap in the afternoon to help them make it to bedtime without becoming overtired. As you move the naps later, night sleep may be temporarily shortened, but this should lengthen once the transition is complete. The transition period can take a few weeks, and you may find your baby alternates between one and two naps during this time.
Remember to remain consistent and be prepared for some crankiness and an increase in tantrums. This transition can be challenging, but with patience and flexibility, you can help your baby adjust to their new sleep schedule.
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Sleep regression
At 15 months old, your baby should be getting 12 to 15 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. This includes 10 to 12 hours of night sleep and 2 to 3 hours of daytime sleep. The daytime sleep can be divided into two naps, with at least one of them being an hour or longer. However, no single nap should exceed two hours to ensure your baby gets plenty of active awake time and adequate nighttime sleep.
- Crying when starting the bedtime routine or when being laid down
- Refusing to nap or taking shorter naps
- Waking up earlier than usual
- Increased separation anxiety, such as crying when entering their room or standing in the crib and fighting sleep
- Developmental milestones: your toddler may be taking their first steps, walking independently, or climbing on furniture
- Teething: the eruption of new teeth, like first-year molars, can cause temporary sleep disruptions
If your toddler is going through sleep regression, it is important to remain consistent with your sleep routine and approach. This helps signal to your toddler that sleep is coming every night, aiding them in getting back on track. You can also encourage independent sleep skills and work on healthy sleep habits during this time. While this phase is temporary and typically lasts a couple of weeks, it can be challenging. Remember that not all toddlers experience sleep regression in the same way, and it may be a sign of their unique sleep schedule adjustments.
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Wake windows
If your 15-month-old is taking two naps a day, their wake windows will be shorter than if they were taking one nap. For example, if your baby is taking two naps a day, they might have a wake window of around 3.25-4 hours before their first nap, and then another wake window of 3.75-4 hours before their second nap. This means that they will be getting around 2-2.5 hours of daytime sleep in total.
If your baby is transitioning to one nap a day, their wake windows will need to be longer. In this case, you should aim for a morning wake window of around 5-6 hours. This longer wake window will help ensure that your baby is ready for a longer, more restorative nap of around 2-3 hours.
It's important to remember that every baby is unique and their sleep patterns may vary. Some 15-month-olds may still be taking two naps a day, while others may have transitioned to one nap. If you're considering transitioning your baby to one nap, look out for signs of readiness over a period of 1-2 weeks. These signs might include your baby becoming overtired during shorter wake windows, or consistently taking shorter naps.
To help extend wake windows, you can try activities such as sensory play with water, role-play to encourage social skills, or creating DIY object permanence toys, such as pushing items through holes in a shoebox.
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Total sleep time
The total sleep time for a 15-month-old baby should be around 12 to 15 hours in a 24-hour period. This includes 10 to 12 hours of night sleep and 2 to 3 hours of daytime sleep.
The transition from two naps to one nap is a significant change that can impact a 15-month-old's sleep schedule. Some babies may still need two naps per day, while others have transitioned to one nap. When taking two naps, the total daytime sleep should be divided between the two naps, with at least one nap being an hour or longer for restorative sleep. The duration of each nap can vary, with some babies taking a 2-hour nap and a 30-45 minute nap, while others may have two 1.5-hour naps.
When a 15-month-old transitions to one nap, the goal is for this single nap to be 2 to 3 hours long. It is recommended to cap the nap at 3 hours to preserve nighttime sleep and maintain a healthy bedtime.
The wake windows, or the time between sleeps, also play a crucial role in a 15-month-old's sleep schedule. When taking two naps, the first wake window is typically around 3 to 4 hours, while the second may be longer, up to 4 to 5 hours. When on a one-nap schedule, the wake window before the nap can be 4 to 5 hours, and the awake time after the nap until bedtime should be similar.
It's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep needs may vary. Some babies may experience sleep regressions or struggle with nighttime sleep, which can impact their total sleep time. Consistency, sleep coaching, and maintaining a flexible yet predictable schedule can help navigate these challenges.
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Sample sleep schedules
At 15 months, your child might take one or two naps. A 15-month-old toddler taking one nap can often stay awake for 4-5 hours, while one taking two naps often stays awake for 3.5-4 hours. The ideal daily sleep for a 15-month-old is 11-14 hours, with 10-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day.
Two-Nap Schedule
- 6:30 am - Wake up
- 6:45 am - Breakfast
- 8:30 am - Snack/milk
- 9:30 am-10:30 am - Nap 1
- 12:00 pm - Lunch
- 2:15 pm-3:45 pm - Nap 2
- 4:00 pm - Snack/milk
- 6:00 pm - Dinner
- 7:30 pm - Bedtime (can include milk)
One-Nap Schedule
- 6:30 am - Wake up
- 6:45 am - Breakfast
- 8:30 am - Snack/milk
- 11:30 am - Lunch
- 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Nap
- 4:00 pm - Snack/milk
- 6:00 pm - Dinner
- 7:30 pm - Bedtime
Two-Nap Schedule with Longer First Nap
- 6:30 am - Wake up
- 6:45 am - Breakfast
- 8:30 am - Snack/milk
- 9:30 am-11:30 am - Nap 1
- 12:00 pm - Lunch
- 2:15 pm-3:15 pm - Nap 2
- 4:00 pm - Snack/milk
- 6:00 pm - Dinner
- 7:30 pm - Bedtime (can include milk)
Please note that these are just examples, and the schedule should be adjusted to suit your baby's needs. The wake windows and sleepy cues of your baby are important factors to consider when creating a sleep schedule. It is also important to ensure that your baby's naps are restorative and do not exceed two hours to protect their night sleep.
If your 15-month-old is struggling to sleep through the night, you may want to consider sleep coaching or sleep training to help them sleep through the night and improve their sleep cycles.
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Frequently asked questions
Most 15-month-olds take one nap, but some still take two. The number of naps a 15-month-old needs varies from baby to baby.
A 15-month-old's nap should be around 2.5 hours long. It should be no shorter than 2 hours and no longer than 3 hours.
A 15-month-old typically needs 11-14 hours of total sleep in a day. This includes 10-12 hours of night sleep and 2-3 hours of napping. A typical bedtime for a 15-month-old is between 7:00 and 8:00 pm.
