Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is essential for the development of children of all ages. Children between 1 and 2 years old should get 11 to 14 hours of sleep every 24 hours. This includes a sleep of 10 to 12 hours at night and a nap of 1 to 2 hours during the day. Toddlers often push off the covers at night, so they should be dressed in warm pajamas during the colder months. A positive bedtime routine helps toddlers feel ready for sleep and settle more easily when they wake at night. Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended hours of sleep | 11-14 hours every 24 hours |
| Number of naps | 2 naps per day at the start of this period, but many older toddlers only take 1 nap in the afternoon |
| Nap duration | 1-2 hours |
| Bedtime | Between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm |
| Sleep training | A positive bedtime routine will be a big help with sleep concerns |
| Sleep regression | 12-month sleep regression is common but doesn't last longer than a few weeks |
| Crib or bed | If your toddler is trying to climb out of the crib, consider moving them to a toddler bed or "big kid" bed with a side rail |
| Nighttime awakenings | Toddlers often push off the covers at night, so dress them in heavy pajamas during colder months |
| Sharing a room | If your toddler shares a room, try getting them settled before the other child goes to bed |
| Separation anxiety | Toddlers may wake up at night due to mild separation anxiety |
| Nightmares | Dreams and nightmares can affect toddlers, who struggle to distinguish them from reality |
| Comfort items | Consider getting a comfort item like a lovey or blankey to help provide reassurance |
| Screen time | Time spent with screens (like a TV or tablet) can disrupt a child's sleep |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep regression
There are several strategies that parents can use to manage sleep regression and promote healthy sleep habits in their toddlers:
- Consistent bedtime routine: Establish a calming pre-bed routine such as a warm bath, reading a story, or singing a lullaby. Keep the environment quiet and avoid loud or energetic play before bedtime.
- Limit screen time: Turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime, and avoid exciting or scary content.
- Manage noise and light: Ensure the bedroom is quiet and comfortable. Consider using a night light if your toddler is scared of the dark.
- Address discomfort: Check for physical discomfort, such as teething pain or illness, and provide appropriate comfort.
- Handle separation anxiety: Spend intentional one-on-one time with your toddler during the day. Provide reassurance at bedtime and let them know you are close by.
- Encourage independence: Help your toddler feel safe and secure by building a strong relationship. Recognize their signs of tiredness and encourage them to sleep before grumpiness sets in.
- Safe sleep environment: Ensure your toddler's furniture and sleep environment are safe. If they are trying to climb out of their crib, consider transitioning to a toddler bed with side rails.
It is important to remember that sleep medications are not usually recommended for children's sleep problems. If you have concerns about your toddler's sleep, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
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Bedtime routines
- Stick to a schedule: Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm as they sleep deepest between 8 pm and midnight. Keep the bedtime routine consistent, even on weekends.
- Avoid late naps: If your toddler's nap is too late in the day or too long, they might not be ready for bed until late at night. The ideal time for a daytime nap is around lunchtime.
- Create a calming environment: Keep things calm and soothing in the evenings. Avoid loud, energetic play and screen time at least an hour before bedtime.
- Establish a pre-bedtime routine: A warm bath and a bedtime story can help your child relax and get ready for sleep. Other activities such as singing a gentle song or having a cuddle can also be part of the routine.
- Address separation anxiety: Toddlers may experience separation anxiety at this age. Be calm and soothing, and consider leaving a small night light on in their room.
- Childproof the room: Ensure your toddler's room is childproofed and safe. Install a gate in the doorway to prevent them from wandering around the house.
- Provide comfort items: If your child doesn't have a comfort item like a lovey or blankey, consider providing one to help provide reassurance.
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Sleep duration
Sleep is vital for the development of children of all ages. Toddlers between 1 and 2 years old need between 11 and 14 hours of total sleep every 24 hours. This is usually a sleep of 10-12 hours at night and a nap of 1-2 hours during the day.
At 12 months, toddlers might be having two naps a day, but by 3 years, they're likely to have just one nap or to have dropped daytime sleep altogether. The transition from two naps to one usually happens around lunchtime. During this transition time, the one nap they have may be shorter than usual – ideally, it'll last a couple of hours, but it may initially be shorter. It may take a few weeks before they settle into their new routine. If you're worried your toddler's single daytime nap isn't long enough, or if they're napping earlier in the day than you want them to, you can always give them a catnap during the day.
Toddlers can have trouble relaxing and winding down at night, causing bedtime battles. Try to keep things calm in the evenings, sticking to soothing activities like a warm bath, a bedtime story, or a quiet song. It's important to keep the routine consistent, even on weekends. A positive bedtime routine will help toddlers feel ready for sleep and settle more easily when they wake at night.
If your toddler wakes in the middle of the night, quietly and quickly provide reassurance that everything is OK and you are close by. But too much interaction can backfire, so keep your nighttime "visits" brief and boring for your toddler. If your toddler shares a bedroom, try getting them settled and sleeping before their sibling goes to bed.
If your toddler is still trying to climb out of their crib, consider moving them into a toddler bed or "big kid" bed with a side rail. For added safety, install a gate in the doorway of the room so that your child can't wander around the house. Be sure your child's room is childproofed.
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Sleep environment
The sleep environment for 1- to 2-year-olds should ideally be calm and soothing. A positive and consistent bedtime routine is important to help toddlers feel ready for sleep and settle more easily when they wake up at night. A typical daily sleep schedule for toddlers includes a nap of 1-2 hours during the day and 10-12 hours of sleep at night.
Toddlers may start to display independence by trying to climb out of their cribs. If this happens, consider transitioning to a toddler or "big kid" bed with a side rail to ensure safety. It is important to childproof the room and install a gate in the doorway to prevent toddlers from wandering around the house unsupervised.
To create a soothing sleep environment, limit screen time and loud, energetic play at least an hour before bedtime. Instead, opt for calming activities such as a warm bath, reading a bedtime story, or singing a gentle song. Keep the lighting dim with a small night light if necessary, and ensure the room is quiet and comfortable.
Additionally, be mindful of your toddler's comfort. Dress them in warm pajamas during colder months, and provide a comfort item like a lovey or blankey to help them feel secure. It is also important to ensure your toddler has everything they need before you leave the room, including a drink of water and a few safe toys to keep them occupied if they wake up early.
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Transitioning from a cot to a bed
Typically, children move from a cot to a bed when they are between the ages of 2 and 3. However, this transition can occur earlier, at around 18 months, if your toddler is consistently climbing out of their cot and risking injury. If you have a new baby on the way, it is recommended to transition your toddler a few months before the baby is born or when the baby is a few months old, so that your toddler does not associate the change with the arrival of their sibling.
To prepare for the transition, you can set up your child's new bed in their room while they are still using their cot. This way, they can get used to the idea of sleeping in a new bed. You can also start by having them take daytime naps in the bed and sleeping in the cot at night. It is important to create a positive bedtime routine to help your child feel ready for sleep. This can include a quiet time before bed, where toys are packed away and the bedroom is prepared as a place for quiet rest. You can encourage your child to climb into bed and pull up their bedcovers to make them feel more settled.
When choosing a bed, consider a smaller toddler bed, especially if your child likes their small space. You can introduce a guard rail to prevent your child from falling out of bed, and ensure that the bed frame and rails fit tightly against the mattress to avoid gaps that your child could get stuck in. If you opt for an adult-height bed, be mindful of the risk of your child falling out of bed or becoming trapped between the bed and the wall. You can use portable bed rails to prevent this, but ensure they are fitted properly to avoid any entrapment hazards.
For safety, it is recommended to choose a fairly firm mattress and keep pillows out of the bed for children under 2 years old. Keep the area around the bed clear of soft toys, bean bags, and other objects that could pose a suffocation risk. Additionally, conduct a safety check of your child's room and the rest of the house to identify potential hazards that may result in falls, drowning, strangulation, or poisoning. Install safety locks on windows, wrap curtain and blind cords out of reach, and keep heaters, electrical appliances, and power points out of your child's reach.
Remember, there is no rush to transition from a cot to a bed. If your child is happy and safe in their cot, you can take your time with this change.
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Frequently asked questions
Toddlers between 1 and 2 years old typically need between 11 and 14 hours of total sleep every 24 hours. This includes a nap of 1 to 2 hours during the day.
There could be various reasons for your toddler's sleep difficulties. Here are some tips that might help:
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine, including soothing activities like a warm bath and a bedtime story.
- Make sure your toddler's room is quiet, dark, and comfortable.
- Limit screen time before bed and ensure your child doesn't watch anything too exciting or scary.
- Check if your toddler is experiencing discomfort, such as teething pain, or mild separation anxiety.
- Provide a comfort item, such as a lovey or blankey, to help reassure your child.
Most children move from a cot to a "big kid" bed when they're around 2 to 3 years old. However, if your toddler is trying to climb out of their crib, it's recommended to transition to a bed earlier for safety reasons.
Establishing a consistent pre-nap routine can help encourage napping. This could include singing a gentle song, having a cuddle, or reading a story. The ideal time for a daytime nap is around lunchtime, and it should ideally last a couple of hours.
