A 1-year-old needs 11 to 14 hours of total sleep per 24-hour period, including naps. Most of that sleep happens at night in one long stretch, with the remaining hours split across one or two daytime naps. Where your child falls in that range depends on their individual needs, but the goal is consistent, uninterrupted rest that adds up to at least 11 hours daily.
How Sleep Breaks Down: Night vs. Day
At 12 months, the bulk of your child’s sleep happens overnight. A typical 1-year-old sleeps roughly 10 to 12 hours at night and gets another 2 to 3 hours from naps during the day. By this age, most children no longer need nighttime feedings. The AAP recommends stopping night feeds by 6 months, so a healthy 1-year-old can generally sleep through the night without eating.
As toddlers become more mobile and start walking, they tend to sleep longer at night and consolidate their daytime rest into fewer, shorter naps. This shift happens gradually over the months ahead.
Wake Windows and a Sample Schedule
Around 12 months, children do best with wake windows of 3 to 4 hours between sleep periods. The first wake window of the day is usually on the shorter end (closer to 3 hours), while the stretch before bedtime runs longer (closer to 4 hours). A bedtime between 7:00 and 8:00 pm works well for most 1-year-olds.
Here’s what a realistic day looks like for a 12-month-old on two naps:
- 6:15 am: Wake up and breakfast
- 9:15 to 10:45 am: First nap (about 1.5 hours)
- 11:00 am: Lunch
- 2:15 to 3:30 pm: Second nap (about 1.25 hours)
- 5:00 pm: Dinner
- 7:20 pm: Bedtime
This is a framework, not a rigid clock. The key is watching for your child’s sleepy cues within those wake windows rather than forcing exact times. If your child wakes earlier or later, shift the whole schedule accordingly while keeping the spacing consistent.
The Two-to-One Nap Transition
Most 1-year-olds are still on two naps, but the transition to one nap typically happens between 13 and 18 months. You’ll know your child is ready when they consistently show several of these signs:
- Fighting or refusing one of their naps
- Taking unusually short naps
- Having trouble falling asleep at bedtime
- Waking frequently during the night or too early in the morning
- Needing a very late bedtime to squeeze in both naps
The important word here is “consistently.” A few rough days doesn’t mean it’s time to drop a nap. Watch for these patterns to hold steady for at least one to two weeks before making the switch. Jumping too early often makes sleep worse, not better. When you do transition, expect an adjustment period where your child seems overtired in the afternoons. A temporarily earlier bedtime can bridge that gap.
The 12-Month Sleep Regression
Right around the first birthday, many parents notice their child’s sleep falls apart. This is the 12-month sleep regression, and it’s driven by a collision of developmental changes happening at once. Your child is likely pulling to stand, possibly taking first steps, and processing a flood of new physical and cognitive skills. Separation anxiety also peaks around this age, making bedtime and middle-of-the-night wakings more emotional.
Teething plays a role too. Many 1-year-olds are cutting their first molars, which cause more discomfort than the earlier front teeth. All of this restlessness and overstimulation can lead to nap refusals, night wakings, and bedtime battles that feel sudden and frustrating.
The good news: this regression typically lasts no more than a few weeks. The most helpful thing you can do is stay consistent with your existing routine. This is not the time to introduce major schedule changes or assume your child is ready to drop a nap. The regression will pass, and sleep will stabilize again on its own.
Signs Your Child Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep
Because the recommended range spans 11 to 14 hours, it can be hard to tell if your child is getting enough. Rather than obsessing over exact totals, watch your child’s behavior. A well-rested 1-year-old is generally in good spirits during wake windows, falls asleep within about 15 to 20 minutes at nap and bedtime, and wakes relatively happy.
A child running a sleep deficit often looks hyperactive rather than drowsy. You might notice increased clinginess, frequent tantrums, difficulty focusing during play, or resistance at mealtimes. Consistently waking before 6:00 am or taking less than an hour of total nap time during the day can also signal that overnight sleep quality needs attention, whether that means an earlier bedtime, a darker room, or more consistent wake and sleep times.