Toddler Sleep Schedule by Age - What to Expect at 1, 2, and 3 Years

Published: May 5, 2026, Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Sleep is one of the most searched and most worried-about topics in toddler parenting.

And for good reasons. When a toddler is not sleeping well, nothing else in the household works well either. Parents are exhausted. The toddler is overtired and more difficult. Daily routines become harder to manage.

The good news is that toddler sleep follows predictable patterns at each age. Understanding what is normal at 1, 2, and 3 years makes it much easier to identify when something needs attention and when you simply need to wait.

This guide gives you research-backed sleep totals, sample schedules, wake window guidance, and the most common sleep challenges at each age.

Visit our complete toddler guide for more on toddler sleep and daily routines.

How Much Sleep Does a Toddler Need?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11 to 14 hours of total sleep in 24 hours for children aged 1 to 2, and 10 to 13 hours for children aged 3 to 5.

These totals include both nighttime sleep and any daytime nap.

The Sleep Foundation confirms that getting enough sleep each night and throughout the day allows the body and brain to recover, consolidate learning and memories, support immune function, and regulate mood and behaviour.

An overtired toddler is not a toddler who falls asleep easily. The opposite is true. Overtired toddlers produce cortisol and adrenaline to stay alert. This makes it harder to settle, more emotional, and more likely to wake up at night.

Key research fact - PMC research on toddler sleep confirms that insufficient sleep in toddlers is consistently associated with increased behavioural problems, reduced attention, greater emotional reactivity, and poorer weight outcomes. Sleep is not optional for development. It is essential.

Toddler Sleep Schedule for 12 Months

At 12 months, most toddlers need 12 to 14 hours of total sleep and are typically on two naps.

Total sleep - 12 to 14 hours in 24 hours. 

Night sleep-  10 to 12 hours. 

Daytime naps - Two naps — morning and afternoon. 

Wake windows - 3 to 4 hours between each sleep period

Sample schedule

The nap transition - Most toddlers move from two naps to one nap between 13 and 18 months. Signs that the transition is approaching include consistently fighting the morning nap, taking much longer to fall asleep for the afternoon nap, or beginning to wake very early in the morning. See our full guide on when to stop toddler naps.

Toddler Sleep Schedule for 18 Months

At 18 months, most toddlers have transitioned to one midday nap and need 12 to 13 hours of total sleep.

Total sleep - 12 to 13 hours in 24 hours. 

Night sleep - 10 to 12 hours. 

Daytime nap - One nap of 1.5 to 2.5 hours at midday. 

Wake windows - 5 to 6 hours before the nap, 4 to 5 hours after the nap, before bedtime

Sample schedule

18-month sleep regression - This is one of the most common and intense toddler sleep regressions. It combines peak separation anxiety, a major developmental leap, and growing independence. Bedtime battles and night wakings are extremely common. Hold the routine tightly and avoid introducing new sleep associations. See our full guide on toddler sleep regression.

Toddler Sleep Schedule for 2 Years

At 2 years, most toddlers still need their midday nap and 12 to 13 hours of total sleep.

Total sleep - 12 to 13 hours in 24 hours. 

Night sleep - 10 to 12 hours.

Daytime nap - One nap of 1 to 2 hours at midday. 

Wake windows - 5 to 6 hours before the nap, 5 hours after the nap

Sample schedule

The 2-year sleep regression - This regression is driven by a major developmental leap, the beginning of more complex imagination, early nighttime fears, and a newly assertive personality. Nap refusal is common at this age but is usually temporary. Keep the nap in the routine. Most children return to napping within a few weeks.

Nap dropping - The AAP advises that nap refusal at 2 years is rarely a genuine sign to drop the nap entirely. Most 2-year-olds still need daytime sleep for healthy development. If the nap is genuinely dropped before age 2.5 to 3, move bedtime 30 to 45 minutes earlier to compensate.

Toddler Sleep Schedule for 3 Years

At 3 years, many toddlers are beginning to drop the nap. Total sleep need is 10 to 13 hours.

Total sleep - 10 to 13 hours in 24 hours. 

Night sleep - 10 to 11 hours. 

Daytime nap - Optional, 1 to 1.5 hours for those who still nap; quiet rest time for those who do not. 

Wake windows - 6 hours before the optional nap, 4 to 5 hours after

Sample schedule — with nap

Sample schedule - without napping

Quiet rest time - Even when a toddler no longer naps, a period of quiet rest in a dimly lit room still provides recovery benefits. Many 3-year-olds who are placed in a quiet room for rest will fall asleep anyway. Maintain this time in the schedule even after the active nap ends.

What are the most common toddler sleep problems?

Most toddler sleep problems fall into a few predictable categories, each with a simple solution.

Bedtime Resistance

Your toddler fights bedtime every night. The routine takes an hour. There are repeated requests for water, the toilet, another story, and one more hug.

The solution - Set a clear, consistent routine with a firm endpoint. Use an okay-to-wake clock for visual boundary setting. Ensure bedtime is age-appropriate, not too late. Reduce stimulation 30 minutes before bed.

Night Wakings

Your toddler wakes up in the night and calls for you or comes to your room.

The solutions: Check whether the cause is developmental (regression), environmental (noise, light, temperature), or habitual (learned expectation of parental intervention). Address the cause. For habitual waking, a consistent return-to-bed response without extended interaction is the most effective approach.

Early Waking

Your toddler wakes up before 6 am consistently.

The solution - Check that the total sleep window is sufficient. A very early bedtime with insufficient dark hours can produce early rising. An okay-to-wake clock helps some toddlers stay in bed until a specified time. A brief period of slightly later bedtimes may help in some cases.

Nap Refusal

Your toddler refuses to nap but is clearly tired.

The solution - Keep the nap routine consistent. Check that the wake window before the nap is appropriate for the age. Reduce stimulation before nap time. If nap refusal persists, ensure bedtime is moved earlier to compensate for lost daytime sleep.

Keep Reading → Complete Toddler Guide → Toddler Sleep Routine → Toddler Bedtime Routine Tips → Toddler Sleep Regression → Toddler Naps → Toddler Sleep Training

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sleep does a 2-year-old need?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11 to 14 hours of total sleep in 24 hours for children aged 1 to 2. Most 2-year-olds need around 12 to 13 hours, including a midday nap.

What is a good bedtime for a toddler?

Most toddlers aged 1 to 3 do best with a bedtime between 7 and 7:30 pm. An overtired toddler is harder to settle, not easier. An earlier bedtime is almost always more effective than a later.

When should a toddler stop napping?

Most toddlers nap until age 3 to 4. Some continue until age 5. The actual signs of nap readiness include consistent difficulty falling asleep at nap time for several weeks and no significant tiredness in the afternoons, even without a nap.

Why does my toddler wake up so early?

Early waking in toddlers is often related to the total sleep window, room light levels, or an overly early bedtime. Ensure the room is dark enough that bedtime is age-appropriate, and consider an okay-to-wake clock with a visual cue for when it is acceptable to get up.

How do I get my toddler to sleep through the night? Ensure an appropriate bedtime and consistent wake time. Use a predictable and calming bedtime routine. Respond to night wakings with brief, calm returns to bed without extended interaction. Address any specific causes, such as regressions, teething, or illness, separately.

Sources and References

1.    American Academy of Sleep Medicine — "Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations" 11 to 14 hours for ages 1 to 2, 10 to 13 hours for ages 3 to 5

https://aasm.org/resources/pdf/pediatricsleepdurationconsensus.pdf

2.    Baby Sleep Site “Toddler Sleep Schedules by Age"  babysleepsite.com

3.    Taking Cara Babies — "Toddler Nap Schedules"  takingcarababies.com

4.    PMC “Sleep and Behaviour in Toddlerhood" Insufficient sleep linked to behavioural problems and emotional reactivity  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

About the Author

Adel Galal Founder, ParntHub.com | Father of Four | Grandfather of Four | 33 Years of Parenting Experience

Adel Galal created ParntHub.com to give parents honest, research-backed guidance in plain language. As a father of four and grandfather of four, Adel has lived through every stage of early childhood. He combines personal experience with content reviewed by paediatric and sleep specialists to make sure every article is accurate and genuinely useful.

 Read Full Author Bio

Reviewed By: ParntHub Editorial Team Content informed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Taking Cara Babies, Huckleberry Care, Baby Sleep Site, and the Sleep Foundation.