An 11-month-old needs about 13 to 14 hours of total sleep per day, split between nighttime sleep and daytime naps. Most babies this age sleep 10 to 12 hours overnight and take two naps during the day totaling 2 to 3 hours. That said, this is also an age when sleep can feel unpredictable, thanks to new physical milestones, separation anxiety, and shifting nap needs.
Daytime Naps at 11 Months
Most 11-month-olds take two naps per day. Each nap should last at least 60 minutes, with a combined total of 2 to 3 hours of daytime sleep. A typical pattern is a longer morning nap of 1 to 2 hours and a slightly shorter afternoon nap of 1 to 1.5 hours. Some babies stretch both naps to similar lengths, while others clearly favor one over the other.
Between naps and before bedtime, your baby can comfortably handle about 3 to 4 hours of awake time. These “wake windows” include feeding, play, and any transition time before sleep. If your baby is consistently fighting one of their naps, that wake window may need to stretch a bit longer, but resist the urge to drop down to one nap just yet.
The 2-to-1 Nap Transition Isn’t Here Yet
Around 11 months, many parents notice nap resistance and wonder if it’s time to switch to a single nap. For most babies, it isn’t. The typical age for dropping to one nap is between 13 and 18 months. At 11 months, most children simply can’t stay awake long enough to make it to a single afternoon nap without becoming overtired.
Signs your baby is genuinely ready for one nap include consistently refusing one of their two naps, needing a very late bedtime to fit both naps in, or experiencing frequent night wakings and early morning wake-ups. If these things happen occasionally, it’s more likely a temporary disruption than a true readiness signal. One exception: if your baby is in daycare, the center may transition to one nap as early as 11 months out of scheduling necessity, and that’s generally fine.
Why Sleep Gets Rocky Near 12 Months
Sleep problems are common in the second half of a baby’s first year. Around 11 to 12 months, several things converge at once. Your baby is likely pulling to stand, cruising along furniture, and possibly taking first steps. That physical excitement can make it hard to settle down at bedtime or cause middle-of-the-night practice sessions in the crib. Language is also emerging, and the brain tends to be more active during periods of rapid skill development.
Separation anxiety peaks around this age too. Your baby may cry out at night and calm down the moment you walk in, not because anything is wrong but because they’ve become acutely aware that you can leave. This is a normal developmental stage, not a sleep problem that needs fixing. Teething, particularly the first molars, can also cause discomfort that disrupts sleep.
This cluster of disruptions is sometimes called the 12-month sleep regression. In most cases, it doesn’t last longer than a few weeks. Keeping your baby’s sleep schedule as consistent as possible during this stretch helps them come out the other side faster.
Night Feeds at 11 Months
Whether your baby still needs calories overnight depends partly on how they’re fed. Formula-fed babies over 6 months old are unlikely to wake from genuine hunger, since formula digests slowly and most are eating plenty of solid food by this age. If your formula-fed baby still wakes for a bottle, the feed may be more of a sleep association than a nutritional need.
For breastfed babies, the picture is a little different. Night weaning before 12 months can reduce your milk supply, so many lactation experts recommend waiting until after the first birthday to phase out overnight feeds if you’re nursing. If your breastfed baby is growing well and eating solids during the day, a nighttime feed or two at 11 months is normal and not a sign of a problem.
A Realistic Daily Schedule
There’s no single correct schedule, but here’s what a typical day looks like for an 11-month-old who wakes around 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.:
- First wake window (3 to 3.5 hours): Breakfast, play, and morning activity after waking for the day.
- Morning nap (1 to 2 hours): Usually starts around 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.
- Second wake window (3 to 4 hours): Lunch, active play, and time outdoors if possible.
- Afternoon nap (1 to 1.5 hours): Usually starts around 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.
- Third wake window (3 to 4 hours): Dinner, bath, wind-down routine.
- Bedtime: Usually falls between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m.
If your baby’s morning wake-up shifts earlier or later, the whole schedule shifts with it. Watch your baby’s tired cues (rubbing eyes, fussiness, zoning out) rather than locking rigidly to the clock. Some days, especially during growth spurts or teething, naps run shorter and bedtime needs to move earlier to prevent overtiredness.
Safe Sleep Still Matters
At 11 months, the same safe sleep rules apply that have been in place since birth. Your baby should sleep on their back in their own crib, bassinet, or portable play yard on a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet. Keep blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and bumper pads out of the sleep space. Avoid letting your baby sleep on a couch, armchair, or in a swing or car seat (unless actively riding in the car).
Many parents wonder when they can introduce a blanket or lovey. The general guidance is to wait until at least 12 months for a small comfort object, and to hold off on pillows and loose blankets longer. Even though your baby is close to their first birthday, the safest approach for the next few weeks is to keep the crib bare.