Toddler Sleep Chart by Age: Sleep Hours and Naps

Quick Answer

A toddler sleep chart shows how many hours a child aged 1 to 3 needs at night and in naps. Toddlers aged 1 to 2 need 11 to 14 hours in 24 hours, and 3-year-olds need 10 to 13 hours. Most move from 2 naps to 1 around 15 to 18 months.

Toddler Sleep at a Glance

Key Facts Every Parent Should Know

• Sleep needs are a range: Some toddlers need a little more, some a little less. Your toddler's mood matters more than exact hours

• Total sleep counts: Add night sleep and naps together to get the 24-hour total

• Naps still matter: Most toddlers under 3 need a daytime nap

• Regular timing helps: Waking up at the same time each morning helps set a steady body clock

• Overtired toddlers sleep worse: Too little daytime sleep can lead to more night waking

• Experts agree: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) give the same ranges for toddlers

Toddler Sleep Chart by Age

Short answer: Most toddlers sleep about 10 to 12 hours at night, plus 1 to 2.5 hours of naps. Nap time gets shorter as they grow.

Before 1, babies need 12 to 16 hours, including 2 to 3 naps. After 3, children need 10 to 13 hours, and many stop napping by 5.

Note: The total sleep column is the expert-recommended range. The other columns are typical patterns, not strict rules.

How Many Hours Should a 2-Year-Old Sleep?

Short answer: A 2-year-old needs 11 to 14 hours in 24 hours. That's usually about 10.5 to 11.5 hours at night plus a 1.5 to 2 hour afternoon nap.

Example: If your 2-year-old sleeps from 8:30 pm to 7:00 am (10.5 hours) and naps for 2 hours, that's 12.5 hours in total, which is well within the healthy range.

Sample Toddler Sleep Schedules

Short answer: These sample schedules show how naps and bedtime can fit into a day. Move all the times earlier or later to suit your family, but keep the gaps about the same.

1 year old (2 naps)

Total: 11 hours at night plus 2.5 hours of naps = 13.5 hours

18 months to 2 years (1 nap)

Total: 10.5 hours at night plus 2 hours of nap = 12.5 hours

3 years old (short nap or quiet time)

Total: 10.5 hours at night plus 1 hour of nap = 11.5 hours

For families with a later routine

If your family wakes up and sleeps later, shift everything by an hour. For example, a 2-year-old could wake at 8 am, nap from 2 to 4 pm, and sleep at 9:30 pm. That's 10.5 hours at night plus 2 hours of nap, or 12.5 hours in total.

When Do Toddlers Go From 2 Naps to 1?

Short answer: Most toddlers move from 2 naps to 1 between 15 and 18 months. Make the change slowly over 1 to 2 weeks.

Signs your toddler is ready for 1 nap:

• Refuses the morning or afternoon nap often

• Takes a long time to fall asleep for one of the naps

• Naps well but then won't sleep at bedtime

• Wakes very early in the morning

How to switch: Push the morning nap a little later every few days, until it becomes one nap after lunch. An earlier bedtime for a week or two can help.

When Do Toddlers Stop Napping?

Short answer: Most children stop napping between 3 and 5 years. Many 2-year-olds still need a nap, even if they fight it.

Signs your child may be ready to drop the nap:

• Regularly doesn't fall asleep at nap time

• Naps make it very hard to fall asleep at night

• Stays happy and alert all day without a nap

Tip: Replace the nap with 30 to 60 minutes of "quiet time", like books or puzzles in bed. Many children still need the rest.

Is My Toddler Getting Enough Sleep?

Short answer: Your toddler's mood and energy are the best guide. A toddler who wakes up happy and is mostly cheerful during the day is usually getting enough sleep.

Simple Tips for Better Toddler Sleep

Short answer: Keep the same times every day, use a short bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and keep naps early enough in the day.

1. Same wake-up time every day: This helps set your toddler's body clock.

2. Same bedtime every night: Even on weekends and holidays, as much as you can.

3. Short bedtime routine: Bath, brushing teeth, a story and a cuddle, in the same order.

4. No screens for an hour before bed: Screens can make it harder to fall asleep.

5. Avoid late naps: A nap ending after about 4 pm can push bedtime later.

6. Keep the room comfortable: Dark, quiet and not too hot. Use light cotton clothes in summer.

7. Use a picture routine chart: Pictures of each bedtime step help toddlers know what comes next. For children from about 3, a simple sticker chart for staying in bed can also help.

What Should Indian Parents Keep in Mind?

Short answer: Many Indian families eat dinner and sleep late. That's okay, as long as your toddler still gets enough total sleep and the timing stays regular.

• Late bedtimes: If your toddler sleeps late, make sure they can also sleep later in the morning, or nap enough to reach the total

• School and playschool timings: Early starts may mean an earlier bedtime is needed

• Summer heat: Keep the room cool with a fan or cooler, and dress your toddler in light cotton

• Joint families and visitors: Keep naps and bedtime quiet, even when family is around

• Travel and festivals: Routines may change for a few days. Go back to the usual times as soon as you can

• Grandparents: Share your toddler's sleep schedule with anyone who looks after them

When Should I Worry?

Short answer: Talk to your pediatrician if your toddler regularly sleeps much more or much less than the chart, snores loudly, or seems very tired during the day.

Myths vs Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many hours should a 1-year-old sleep?
11 to 14 hours in 24 hours, usually about 10.5 to 11.5 hours at night plus 2 naps.

2. How many hours should a 2-year-old sleep at night?
Usually about 10.5 to 11.5 hours at night, plus a 1.5 to 2 hour nap.

3. How many hours should a 3-year-old sleep?
10 to 13 hours in 24 hours. Many have a short nap or quiet time.

4. When do toddlers drop to 1 nap?
Most switch from 2 naps to 1 between 15 and 18 months.

5. Is it okay if my toddler sleeps at 10 pm?
It can be, if they also wake later and get enough total sleep. Keeping the same time every day matters most.

6. How long should a toddler nap?
Usually 1 to 2.5 hours a day, depending on age. Naps get shorter as toddlers grow.

7. Can I wake my toddler from a nap?
Yes. If a long nap makes bedtime very late, gently wake your toddler so the nap ends by about 4 pm.

8. 2 saal ke bacche ko kitne ghante sona chahiye?
2 saal ke bacche ko 24 ghante mein 11 se 14 ghante ki neend chahiye. Yaani raat mein lagbhag 10.5 se 11.5 ghante aur din mein 1.5 se 2 ghante ki jhapki.

9. Bacche ko din mein kitni der sulana chahiye?
1 saal par din mein 2 jhapki, kul 2 se 2.5 ghante. 18 mahine se 2 saal tak 1 jhapki, 1.5 se 2.5 ghante. 3 saal tak jhapki chhoti ho jati hai.

Related Reads on Mylo

• Toddler Waking Up at Night: Causes and How to Help

• How to Establish Good and Effective Baby Sleep Habits

• Toddler Development by Age: 12 to 36 Months

• Toddler Behaviour Red Flags: When to See a Pediatrician

References

1. Paruthi S, et al. "Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine." Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2016.

2. World Health Organization (WHO). "Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age." 2019.

3. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?" HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org

4. Nemours KidsHealth. "Sleep and Your Toddler." https://kidshealth.org

5. Galland BC, et al. "Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: a systematic review of observational studies." Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2012.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Every toddler is different. If you're worried about your toddler's sleep, please consult your pediatrician.

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