Colin Snow
As your baby grows, their sleep patterns and habits will change. A 13-month-old baby will likely still need two daytime naps, but this is also a time when they may begin to transition to one nap a day. This transition should be gradual, and it's important to watch your baby for signs of tiredness and adjust their sleep schedule accordingly. Most 13-month-olds will have wake windows in the 3-4 hour range, with the first wake window of the day being shorter, around 3 hours. At this age, your baby should be getting a total of 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including naps. This is a decrease from the previous months, as their growth starts to slow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Sleep | 11-14 hours |
| Daytime Sleep | 2-3 hours |
| Overnight Sleep | 10-12 hours |
| Number of Naps | 1-2 |
| Wake Windows | 3-6 hours |
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What You'll Learn
A 13-month-old baby should sleep for 11-14 hours in a 24-hour period
A 13-month-old baby should sleep for a total of 11 to 14 hours in a 24-hour period. This includes naps during the day, which are an important part of a baby's sleep cycle and contribute to their overall sleep total.
At this age, your baby may still need two daytime naps, but this will gradually transition to one nap over the coming months. Most 13-month-olds are not yet able to stay awake for long periods without becoming overtired, so it is important to ensure they are getting enough sleep during the day.
The first wake window of the day is usually shorter, at around 3 hours, with the wake windows before the second nap and bedtime being longer, between 3.5 and 4 hours. It is recommended that toddlers between 1 and 2 years old get their 11 to 14 hours of sleep through a combination of daytime naps and nighttime sleep.
As your baby becomes more independent and starts walking and talking, their sleep needs will change, and they will likely sleep longer at night and take fewer naps. Establishing a consistent sleep routine and boundaries around sleep will help your 13-month-old get the sleep they need.
Additionally, it is important to note that every baby is unique and develops at their own pace, so these recommendations may vary slightly depending on your child's individual needs and development.
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They should have two daytime naps, but the transition to one nap is normal
A 13-month-old toddler will need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. This will include both daytime naps and overnight sleep.
At this age, your toddler may still need two daytime naps. However, it is also normal for them to transition to one nap a day. In fact, around half of all toddlers are down to one nap a day by 15 months. This transition will likely happen gradually over the coming months. You might find that the morning nap is the first to go, as your toddler no longer needs it.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to a 13-month-old's sleep schedule. It is recommended that you watch your toddler for signs of tiredness and adjust their sleep schedule accordingly. For example, if your baby is taking two naps on non-daycare days and those naps are going well, there is no reason to drop a nap at home.
To transition to one restorative nap, your toddler needs to be able to handle much longer wake windows than they did on two naps. Most 13-month-olds are not able to stay awake for 5-6 hours before their nap and 4-5 hours after without becoming overtired. Waiting until your baby is truly ready will make the transition much smoother.
Toddlers between 1 and 2 years old should get between 11 and 14 hours of total sleep every day. Their napping decreases compared to infants, and they frequently get around 1 to 2 hours of daily sleep. Two naps per day is normal at the start of this period, but many older toddlers only take one nap in the afternoon.
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Nighttime feedings can be stopped
A 13-month-old toddler will probably need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day. They may still need two daytime naps, but around half of all toddlers are down to one nap a day by 15 months. The transition to a single nap will likely happen gradually over the coming months. Most 13-month-olds are on a sleep schedule with wake windows in the 3-4 hour range.
If your baby is still waking up at night to eat, now is a great time to wean them off these nighttime feedings. As long as your one-year-old is healthy, they are more than ready to drop these feeds and sleep straight through the night until morning. However, always seek out professional medical advice for guidance on your specific child’s health and their nighttime nutritional needs.
If you are breastfeeding your baby and would like to continue, you can continue to breastfeed to supplement their solid food intake for as long as you would like. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends capping your 13-month-old’s milk intake at 16-20 ounces per day. If your baby is drinking too much milk, it can take away from the calories and nutrients they need from solid food.
If you decide to try night weaning, your child still gets all the benefits of breast milk if you keep breastfeeding during the day. Your child might want to feed more for comfort when big changes are happening. For example, they might need more comfort if they’re starting childcare. Babies and young children might wake at night and need comfort but not a feed. If this sounds like your child, you or your partner can help your child learn to settle.
If your baby is formula-fed and aged over 6 months, they are unlikely to be waking at night because they are hungry. This is because infant formula is digested more slowly than breast milk. If you decide to try phasing out night feeds and your baby is having 60ml of milk or less during a night feed, you can stop the feed altogether and re-settle your baby with the sleep and settling techniques that work best for you and your baby. If your baby’s feed is more than 60ml each night, you can gradually cut down the amount your baby drinks over 5-7 nights. Reduce the volume of milk by 20-30ml every second night. Once you get down to 60ml or less in the bottle, stop the feed altogether.
There are some scenarios where night weaning cold turkey could be appropriate. You might consider a cold-turkey approach if your little one is over 12 months or isn’t eating much during those night feedings. However, experts agree that you’re better off taking a gentler approach if you can.
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Separation anxiety can make it harder for babies to fall asleep
A 13-month-old baby needs around 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day. They may still need two daytime naps, but it's also common for half of all toddlers to transition to one nap per day. This transition should happen gradually, and you should watch your baby for signs of tiredness and adjust their sleep schedule accordingly. If your baby is still waking up at night to eat, you can start weaning them off these nighttime feedings.
Separation anxiety is a normal part of a baby's development. It usually begins around the time infants start crawling or walking, as this is the first time they can physically distance themselves from their parents. When children realize they are separate from their caregivers, it can provoke anxiety and may lead to sleep challenges. For example, your baby may become upset when you leave the room, even for a few minutes, and this can make it much harder for them to fall asleep by themselves.
Separation anxiety can also make it harder for your baby to stay asleep through the night. This is because overnight sleep marks a long period of separation from caregivers. You can help your baby through this by letting them know that you will check on them after a certain amount of time. When the time is up, go back and check on them as promised. This consistency helps reduce their fear of separation.
Another way to help your baby with separation anxiety is to play "Peek-a-Boo" or "I'll Be Right Back." These games teach your child that even if they can't see you, you're still there, and your return is both fun and reassuring.
If your baby is struggling with bedtime due to separation anxiety, it's important to keep your bedtime routine consistent and not introduce new habits, such as holding your baby as they fall asleep.
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A consistent sleep schedule is important
However, some 13-month-olds may be ready to transition to one nap a day, which will be a longer restorative nap of around 2.5 to 3 hours. You'll know they're ready for this transition when they can handle much longer wake windows of 5 to 6 hours before their nap and 4 to 5 hours afterward.
Establishing a consistent sleep schedule for your toddler can be challenging, especially with the various developmental milestones they're reaching, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep and night wakings. Separation anxiety, teething, and cutting their first molars can also disrupt their sleep.
To help your 13-month-old sleep better, you can start by weaning them off nighttime feedings if they're still having them. As long as your toddler is healthy, they're ready to drop these feedings and sleep through the night. You can also introduce cow's milk to their diet, offering up to 16 ounces of whole milk or 2% milk in a cup or sippy cup.
Additionally, you can try to stick to a bedtime routine, such as reading together or following a bedtime ritual. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule will not only benefit your toddler's development but also provide you with some much-needed quiet time!
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Frequently asked questions
Your toddler probably needs about 11 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. This includes 1 to 2 hours of daytime sleep.
Your 13-month-old may still need two daytime naps. However, around half of all toddlers are down to one nap a day by 15 months. If your baby is taking two naps on non-daycare days and those naps are going well, there’s no reason to drop a nap.
Each nap should last between one and four hours.
Your baby needs to be able to handle much longer wake windows (think 5-6 hours before the nap and 4-5 hours after) to transition to one restorative nap. If your baby is taking two naps and often wakes up during the night, they might be overtired, and dropping a nap too early could make this worse.
