You’re making your way through the 18-month mark and I want you to give yourself a big pat on the back. Toddlerhood is one crazy ride — and it comes with plenty of growth spurts, energy bursts and evolving sleep needs. Let’s take a look at what an ideal sleep schedule might look like for your little one so they’re well-rested while you catch up on some z’s.
Understanding Low Sleep Needs 18 Month Old
Every toddler is different and that includes their sleep needs. An 18 month old's sleep needs can fall somewhere on the spectrum of high, average, and low. While most kids thrive around this age with plenty of rest, there are those few who can’t seem to get enough. They still need quality shut-eye even when they’re awake longer than usual, and that means finding balance between playtime, quiet time and consistent sleep routines.
How Much Sleep Does an 18 Month Old Need?
On average, an 18-month-old should be getting about 13-14 hours of sleep in a day. So try to aim for roughly that amount when planning their routine; this includes daytime naps and overnight snoozes. Having these figures in mind will help you create a schedule that aligns with their unique rhythms.
18 Month Old Sleep and Eat Schedule
Sleeping habits are heavily influenced by nutrition at this stage, so it’s important to keep track of when your child eats throughout the day. You’ll want them to have a well-balanced meal plan dispersed across three main meals with two snacks as fillers — all leading up to a calm bedtime routine come evening time. Creating predictable patterns for both eating and sleeping can do wonders in helping them wind down smoothly.
Should a 18 Month Old Sleep Through the Night?
Ah yes — the answer we’ve all been waiting for! Surprisingly enough, many children this age are capable of snoozing straight through the night. However, that doesn’t mean all of them will do so. If your toddler is constantly waking up during the nighttime, it could be due to a number of things — like teething, separation anxiety or sleep regressions. Sticking with a comforting routine and watching out for any sleep associations can help them slumber more soundly when awake.
18 Month Old Baby Sleep Schedule
Making a schedule for an 18-month-old can feel like a real balancing act. On a typical day, they might rise around 7 am, eat breakfast then have their first nap around 9:30 am. A mid-afternoon nap usually follows at about 2 pm with bedtime taking place between 7-8 pm. Remember to approach each day with flexibility in mind; what worked yesterday might not work today.
Should 18 Month Old Sleep Through Night
In theory? Absolutely! But we all know life isn’t perfect and sometimes sleep disruptions are inevitable. Your child is growing and changing every single day, so if there’s one thing you should remember it’s this: consistency is key — especially when they wake up in the wee hours of the morning or before dawn breaks. Being patient and having a steady response will lead them to gradually sleep longer periods at night. And while you’re at it, revisit some sleep training techniques if necessary.
The Bedtime Ritual: Making it Work
When it’s finally time for your toddler to hit the sack again after running wild all day long, make sure your routine is as soothing and predictable as possible. Give them a bath followed by storytime or cuddles with mom and dad — whatever ends their evening on a peaceful note. The trick here is consistency; they need to know that bedtime means winding down and being reassured that tomorrow will be another great day.
Dealing with Night Wakings
Not going to lie— those middle-of-the-night cries are tough to bear. But it’s important to respond in a way that encourages them to self-soothe rather than depend on you right away. Of course, comfort them as much as possible without plucking them out of the crib. Sometimes, all they need is a soft pat or some gentle words before they drift off once more.
Nap Changes: One is enough
Somewhere around a year and a half, most kids shift from taking twice as many naps to just one. This change can mess with their nighttime snoozing for a bit but it’s part of growing up. If they’ve been fighting that morning nap or bedtime has become a battle royale, these are signs they’re ready to make the switch.
Hit The Park
Physical play at this age is crucial for development and good sleep. So make sure your little one gets plenty of time to run around each day (the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests at least 30 minutes structured and an hour unstructured). Not only does it help them burn energy so they’ll be tired come bedtime, but says Craig Canapari, M.D., director of Yale Pediatric Sleep, “it helps calibrate their sleep system.” In other words, being active during the day teaches their body when to feel awake and when to feel tired—more important than ever if they're giving up on one nap.
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