The Quick Answer
By 18 months, most toddlers are on one nap of about 1.5 to 3 hours, plus 11 to 12 hours overnight. The nap starts about 5 to 5.5 hours after waking when your toddler is new to one nap, and no earlier than 11:30 a.m. Over time, the morning stretch grows toward 6.5 hours. Bedtime comes about 4 to 5 hours after the nap ends. Below you'll find a sample day.
I'm Sarah Mitchell, founder of Helping Babies Sleep and author of The Helping Babies Sleep Method. Between 16 and 18 months, the 2 to 1 nap transition is usually done or nearly done, and the one-nap schedule settles in. The timing pillar of The Helping Babies Sleep Method shows you how to set that one nap up so it actually works.
What's Happening at 16 to 18 Months?
- One nap is well established for most toddlers.
- The morning wake window keeps growing, so the nap slowly moves later.
- The nap may shorten from about 3 hours to about 2 hours over a few months.
- Big leaps in language and independence, and sometimes molars, can make sleep bumpy. Read about the 18 month sleep regression.
- Your toddler can sleep 11 hours or more without feeding.
How Much Sleep Does an 18 Month Old Need?
- Wake window before the nap: about 5 to 5.5 hours at first, stretching toward 6 to 6.5 hours
- Wake window before bed: about 4 to 5 hours
- Naps: 1
- Nap length: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Night sleep: 11 to 12 hours
- Total sleep: about 13 to 13.5 hours in 24 hours
- Night feeds: none needed
See how this compares with every other age in Wake Windows by Age.
Sample 16 to 18 Month Old Sleep Schedule on One Nap
Here's a sample day from my book. Use it to see how the intervals fit together, not as a timetable to match to the minute.
| Time | What happens | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 a.m. | Wake up, milk | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast | ||
| 9:00 a.m. | Milk and snack | ||
| 11:00 a.m. | Lunch | Lunch comes before the nap. | |
| 11:30 a.m. | Nap, asleep (ideally 3 hr, at least 2 hr) | 5 to 5.5 hr awake | 5 to 5.5 hours when first on one nap, slowly stretching toward 6.5 hours. |
| 2:30 p.m. | Wake up, milk | The nap is often about 3 hours at first, then slowly shortens over the months. | |
| 3:30 p.m. | Snack | ||
| 5:30 p.m. | Dinner | ||
| 6:15 p.m. | Milk | ||
| 7:00 p.m. | Asleep for the night | 4 to 5 hr awake | On average, asleep about 4 to 4.5 hours after the nap ends. |
What's important in this schedule: a long morning wake window before the nap, lunch before the nap, and bedtime about 4 to 5 hours after the nap ends. What's not important: the exact clock times. If your toddler wakes at 7:00 a.m., shift everything later.
As your child gets older and can stay awake more comfortably, the morning wake window gets longer. The evening wake window before bed tends to top out at about 5 hours, and it stays there until around age 3, when most kids drop the nap. Here's how wake windows change by age.
Still on 2 Naps at 18 Months?
There are always outliers. My daughter was one of them. She still took 2 naps at 18 months, largely because she was a very relaxed baby, and we had to be driving every morning at 8:30 a.m. She'd doze off in the car for a power nap. On days we didn't drive at that time, she took one nap.
The most common sign your toddler is ready for one nap is not being ready to sleep for the morning nap. A less common sign is taking the first nap but not napping in the afternoon. For the full set of signs and how to make the switch, read The 2 to 1 Nap Transition: When and How to Switch to One Nap.
Signs One Nap Isn't Working Yet
Your toddler might not be ready for one nap, or the timing might need adjusting, if you notice:
- A nap of less than 1.5 hours
- Bedtime resistance where bedtime was going well before
- Night waking
- Early morning wake-ups
On days your toddler wakes before 6:00 a.m., it's fine to go back to 2 naps for the day. If the nap is short, move bedtime earlier. Read more about early morning wake-ups.
Feeding at 18 Months
Intentional feeding is the third pillar of The Helping Babies Sleep Method. Most toddlers this age eat three meals and two snacks, alongside milk. On one nap, lunch comes right before the nap. Your toddler can physiologically sleep 11 hours through the night without feeding. For how daytime eating shapes nights, see The Feeding and Sleep Connection.
Bedtime at 18 Months
Count about 4 to 5 hours from when your toddler wakes from the nap. On average, toddlers are asleep about 4 to 4.5 hours after the nap ends. Keep the routine short, calm and the same every night. At this age, bedtime can become a negotiation. Here's how to build a calming bedtime routine, how to handle toddler bedtime battles, and whether toddlers should pick their own bedtime.
Still Waking at Night at 18 Months?
If your toddler still wakes at night, the cause usually goes back further than the nap. Since the 4 month sleep regression, your child surfaces briefly between sleep cycles all night. If they fall asleep with help, like feeding, rocking or you lying with them, they'll look for that same help each time.
Timing is only one of five pillars in The Helping Babies Sleep Method. Self-Soothing Skills and Why Your Child Needs Them explains the missing piece, and The Two Phases of Sleep Training explains how we sequence it. For bumpy patches in the toddler years, see Toddler Sleep Regressions.
Setting Up the Sleep Space
A dark room helps with naps and early wake-ups. My favorites are SleepOut curtains; use my code helpingbabiessleep for 10% off SleepOut Curtains. See the full baby sleep environment checklist. Wondering about a big-kid bed? Read When Should I Move My Toddler Out of the Crib?
What Comes Next
Your toddler will usually stay on one nap until close to age 3. The morning wake window keeps stretching, and by about 24 months it's likely around 6 to 6.5 hours, with a nap around 1:00 p.m. Look back at the 14 and 15 month old sleep schedule, or read ahead about the 2 year sleep regression.
Sleep Help in Palo Alto and the Bay Area
Toddler night waking and bedtime battles are some of the most common reasons families reach out to us. We help parents across Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino and San Jose, and coach families virtually anywhere.
- Want the wake window chart? Download the free Sleep Chart →
- Not sure where to start? Take the free Sleep Quiz →
- Toddler under 2? Explore baby and toddler sleep coaching →
- Prefer to learn on your own time? Try the Baby Online Class →
- Ready to talk? Book your intro call →
Frequently Asked Questions About the 18 Month Old Sleep Schedule
How many naps does an 18 month old take?
By 18 months, most toddlers are on one nap a day, usually 1.5 to 3 hours long. A few outliers still take 2 naps at 18 months, and that's fine if it's working for your family.
What time should an 18 month old nap?
When your toddler first moves to one nap, start it about 5 to 5.5 hours after waking, and no earlier than 11:30 a.m. As they get older, the morning stretch grows toward 6 to 6.5 hours, and the nap moves later, toward 12:30 to 1:00 p.m.
How long should an 18 month old nap?
Ideally 2 to 3 hours. Many toddlers nap about 3 hours when they first move to one nap, and it slowly shortens over the months. A nap of less than 1.5 hours is usually a sign the timing needs adjusting.
What time should an 18 month old go to bed?
Count about 4 to 5 hours from when your toddler wakes from the nap. On average, toddlers are asleep about 4 to 4.5 hours after the nap ends. If the nap ends at 2:30 p.m., that's a bedtime around 7:00 p.m.
How much sleep does an 18 month old need?
Sleep experts recommend 11 to 14 hours in 24 hours for toddlers 1 to 2 years old. Most 18 month olds do best with 11 to 12 hours overnight plus a 1.5 to 3 hour nap.
Does an 18 month old need a night feed?
No. Toddlers this age can physiologically sleep through the night for 11 hours without feeding. Frequent night waking at this age is usually about how your toddler falls asleep, not hunger.
Is there an 18 month sleep regression?
Many families see a rough patch around 18 months, with big leaps in language and independence, molars and new bedtime resistance. It can overlap with the move to one nap. Consistent routines and the right timing usually carry you through.
Keep Reading
- The 2 to 1 Nap Transition: When and How to Switch to One Nap
- Wake Windows by Age: A Simple Guide for Parents
- The Helping Babies Sleep Method: The Complete Overview
- 18 Month Sleep Regression
- 14 and 15 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- When Does Your Kid Stop Napping?
About the Author
Sarah Mitchell, BKin, DC (retired) is the founder of Helping Babies Sleep, a Bay Area sleep consulting agency based in Palo Alto, and the author of the Amazon bestseller The Helping Babies Sleep Method: The Art and Science of Teaching Your Baby to Sleep. A retired chiropractor, Certified Lactation Counselor, RIE Foundations graduate and member of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, she has supported more than 1,000 families over 13 years.
Sources
- Sarah Mitchell, The Helping Babies Sleep Method, Chapter 4: Babies (4 to 24 Months), 15-18 Months and 1 Nap Schedule.
- Paruthi S, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2016. JCSM
