Toddler sleep schedule chart: How much sleep should your toddler get?

One of the key things to having a happy baby is a complete, consistent, and smooth sleep. It's important to create a regular toddler sleep schedule chart for your infant.

That, together with a decent nighttime ritual, is usually the first step toward attempting to sleep through the night and developing a consistent daily sleep and feeding schedule.

A baby with a bedtime that is too late may become overtired while a baby with a bedtime that is too early may get up early in the morning and take only brief naps. 

How can you make sure that your toddler gets the right amount of sleep they need? The best bedtimes for each age group consequently depend on the developmental stage and sleep needs of your individual baby. Let’s talk about the toddler sleep schedule chart.

Toddler sleep schedule chart: How much sleep should toddlers generally need?

Toddlers should sleep between 11 and 14 hours each day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

Your child can get all those hours with a combination of two 1-2 hour naps during the day (or one longer afternoon nap as she gets closer to age 2) and a full 10 to 11 1/2 hours at night. 

Many kids transition from two naps to one between 12 and 18 months, while others wait until they are two.

What time should you put your baby to bed?

When babies are put to bed around 7:30 or 8 p.m., they often sleep better. Going to bed earlier than usual gives your child the opportunity to get the rest she needs.

Additionally, studies demonstrate that young children who go to bed before 9 p.m. are likely to experience fewer overnight awakenings and better sleep.

Should I train my baby in a toddler sleep schedule chart?

Babies’ needs change as they grow older – the same is true with the amount of sleep and the toddler sleep schedule chart they need. 

Maintaining a schedule will help prevent your significant other from becoming overtired at bedtime by ensuring they get the appropriate amount of sleep. This might lower your risk of experiencing sleep issues or complaints and aid in preventing those dreaded early-morning wake-ups.

Toddler sleep schedule chart: How much sleep baby needs based on their age? 

According to Baby Sleep Site, here’s what 13 months old sleep 18 months old sleep, or whatever age your baby needs.

• Newborn

  • Total Sleep: 15-18 hours

At this age, babies don't require a specific bedtime because they need to eat frequently and wake up at all hours to nurse. Pay close attention to your baby's sleep cues and put them to bed as soon as they show tiredness.

• 1-4 months

1. • Total Sleep: 14-15 hours

Use the later bedtime for younger babies. You can gradually start using the earlier bedtime as your baby begins to sleep through the night for longer stretches by 3 or 4 months.

• 4-8 months toddler sleep schedule chart

1. • Total Sleep: 14-15 hours

Most infants are prepared for a schedule by the time they are 6 months old. During this time, naps are commonplace (4 naps at first, and then gradually moves to 3 naps). Use the early bedtime as you transition from four naps to three to avoid being overtired.

• 8-10 months

1. • Total Sleep: 12-15 hours

The majority of neonates take two naps at this age. The sleep regression that began at 8/9/10 months is currently at its height! Use the earlier bedtimes if the regression makes your baby nap less or wake up more at night, which causes overtiredness.

• 10-15 months old sleep

1. • Total Sleep: 12-14 hours

Keep the two naps if feasible for 10-13 months old sleep, 14 months old sleep, and 15 months old sleep. 

Most newborns aren't ready to go from two naps to one until they are between 15 and 18 months old sleep. If your baby has the 12-month nap regression, use the earlier bedtime to make up for lost nap time.

• 15 months old sleep - 3 years old

1. • Total Sleep: 12-14 hours

For 15 months old, 16 months old sleep, 17 months old sleep, 18 months old sleep schedule, 19 months old sleep and up. Your child will have adjusted to only needing one afternoon nap by the time they are 18 months old sleep.

The sleep should last two to five hours. Use the earlier bedtime during the transition from two naps to one and during the 18-month and two-year sleep regressions to make up for any lost sleep. Your child should go to bed at the earliest opportunity by the time they are two; younger toddlers should do so around 6:00.

• 3-5 years old

1. • Total Sleep: 11-13 hours

Most children stop their afternoon naps at this point. Instead of napping, spend the afternoon relaxing. Try to set the bedtime for kids who are no longer taking naps to get about 12 hours of sleep at night. Use the later bedtime for children who are still getting used to bed later.

Toddle sleep schedule chart: Do baby need to take naps?

Babies frequently take naps and spend a large portion of the day sleeping. Although children's average nap time decreases as they get older, it's typical for infants to continue to sleep for at least 2-3 hours each day. Babies frequently take a 3–4 hour nap during the day.

Not only is this napping permissible, but it's also beneficial. According to a study, having regular naps helps infants cement specific memories. Naps also encourage a more comprehensive memory, which is important for learning and brain growth.

According to Baby Sleep Site, here’s the prescribed toddler sleep schedule chart for baby naps:

Read more about the nap schedules for babies here.

Tips for a successful toddler sleep schedule chart

• Observe a schedule. 

If your child wakes up, naps, and goes to bed at the same time every day, it is more likely that she will be tired when you tuck her in.

• Make the necessary adjustments to your baby’s schedule. 

If your toddler often acts like she's not tired during naps or at night, or if she starts waking up earlier than normal, it may be time to adjust her nap schedule or put her to bed a bit later.

• Let your toddler play

If she insists that she is not tired, advise her to sing or play quietly with a few stuffed animals until she falls asleep. Your child may find it simpler to go to sleep at night if she believes she has won thanks to the "permission to play" card.

• Establish a routine o support your 16 months old sleep or your baby at any age.

The same is true of the things you do to unwind before going to sleep and napping, as well as how you react to requests for another story, a glass of water, or to get out of bed. If your child is aware of what to expect (and what won't work), she will be more inclined to adhere to the plan.

• Keep your baby active during day time.

By engaging in a lot of physical activity and being exposed to the fresh air outside, your youngster will become exhausted.

• Limit screen time.

The AAP suggests staying away from screens at least two hours before bedtime and forbidding the use of screen-based technology in your child's bedroom.

• Check your baby’s sleeping habits. 

If you've made various adjustments but your toddler is still rejecting or frequently waking up at night, a more severe sleep training program may be helpful.

Toddler sleep schedule chart: What should you do if your baby doesn’t sleep well at night?

Parents who are concerned about their child's sleep should speak with a pediatrician first. If you keep a sleep diary to track your child's sleeping patterns, the doctor may be able to determine whether your baby's sleep has a regular pattern or may suggest a potential sleeping problem.

It may be useful to enhance sleep hygiene by creating a regular sleep schedule and routine. You can also follow a toddler sleep schedule chart like the one above. Lastly, ensure a calm and quiet environment for sleeping.