12 month old sleep schedule: wake windows, naps and a sample day

Happy first birthday! Most 1 year olds still need two naps, even if they act like they are ready for one. Bedtime and wake-up times are usually quite steady by now.

By the Swaddle team · Reviewed October 25, 2026

Wake windows

3-4 h

Naps a day

2

Sleep in 24 h

11-14 h

Make your own 12 month old schedule

2 naps · wake windows about 3 h - 4 h · typical naps 2

  1. Wake up
  2. Nap until 11:15 am (1 h 15 min)
  3. Nap until 3:45 pm (1 h 15 min)
  4. Bedtime

A starting point built from age-typical wake windows and nap lengths. Your baby’s own cues come first.

12 month old sample schedule

Here is one example day for a 12 month old who wakes at 7:00 am. It uses age-typical wake windows of about 3 h 20 min, a little shorter in the morning and a little longer before bed, and naps of about 1 h 15 min.

TimeWhatAwake before
7:00 am Wake up for the day -
10:00 am - 11:15 am Nap (1 h 15 min) 3 h
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm Nap (1 h 15 min) 3 h 20 min
7:45 pm Bedtime 4 h

That is about 2 h 30 min of day sleep. Wake earlier or later and everything shifts with it: use the schedule maker below to set your own wake-up time.

At 12 months wake windows are about 3 to 4 hours. Most 1 year olds take 2 naps, around 10 am and 2:30 pm, for 2 to 3 hours of day sleep in total. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11 to 14 hours of sleep per 24 hours for children aged 1 to 2.

One nap or two?

Refusing a nap for a few days around the first birthday is common and often called the 12 month sleep regression. Most babies are not truly ready for one nap until somewhere between 13 and 18 months. A good test is two weeks: if they refuse one nap almost every day for two weeks, while still sleeping well at night, they may be ready.

Comfort objects

Safe sleep guidance is to keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib until at least 12 months. After that, many families introduce a small lovey.

Milk and bedtime

Around 12 months many families switch from formula to whole cow’s milk and start moving from bottles to cups. If milk is part of bedtime, put it before tooth brushing and stories, so your child is not falling asleep while drinking.

Wake windows at 12 months

A wake window is the time your baby is awake between one sleep and the next. At 12 months it is usually 3 h to 4 h. Most babies manage the shortest window in the morning and the longest before bedtime, as sleep pressure builds through the day. If your baby fights sleep and only drops off after a long time, the window may be too short. If they melt down before naps, it may be too long. See all ages on our wake windows by age chart.

How much sleep does a 12 month old need?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11 to 14 hours in 24 hours at this age, including naps. Some healthy babies sleep a bit more or less. Watch your baby rather than the number: a baby who is mostly content when awake, and feeding and growing well, is usually getting enough sleep.

Sleep regression around 12 months

Nap refusal around the first birthday. Usually not a sign they are ready for one nap. Read the full guide: 12 month sleep regression.

Safe sleep: every sleep on the back, on a firm, flat surface, with no pillows, blankets, bumpers or toys. Share a room, not a bed, for at least the first 6 months.

Questions parents ask

How many naps does a 12 month old take?

Most take 2 naps. The move to 1 nap usually happens between 13 and 18 months.

How long should a 1 year old be awake between naps?

About 3 to 4 hours.

What time should a 1 year old go to bed?

Commonly between 6:30 and 8 pm. Keeping it consistent matters more than the exact time.

How much should a 1 year old sleep?

About 11 to 14 hours in 24 hours, including naps, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Sources

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe (healthychildren.org)
  2. Paruthi S, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: AASM consensus statement. J Clin Sleep Med 2016
  3. Hirshkowitz M, et al. National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations. Sleep Health 2015
  4. Moon RY, et al. Sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2022 recommendations. Pediatrics 2022
  5. Cleveland Clinic: Wake windows by age
  6. Galland BC, et al. Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: a systematic review. Sleep Med Rev 2012

This page is general information from the sources above, written by the Swaddle team and last reviewed October 25, 2026. It is not medical advice and it is not a substitute for your pediatrician. Every baby is different. If something feels wrong, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911 (US) or your local emergency number. How we write these pages.

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