Swaddle
Wake up 
Nap until 12:55 pm (1 h 40 min) 
Bedtime 18 month old sample schedule
Here is one example day for a 18 month old who wakes at 7:00 am. It uses age-typical wake windows of about 4 h 40 min, a little shorter in the morning and a little longer before bed, and naps of about 1 h 40 min.
| Time | What | Awake before |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Wake up for the day | - |
| 11:15 am - 12:55 pm | Nap (1 h 40 min) | 4 h 15 min |
| 6:30 pm | Bedtime | 5 h 35 min |
That is about 1 h 40 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.
Wake windows are about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. A common day is wake at 7, nap at 12:30 pm for about 2 hours, and bed between 7 and 7:30 pm.
The 18 month regression
Many families see bedtime battles, early waking or nap refusal around 18 months. Common reasons are independence ("no!"), separation anxiety, molars and canines coming in, and a big leap in language. Read our guide to the 18 month sleep regression.
Bedtime routine and limits
Toddlers do best with a short, predictable routine: bath, pajamas, teeth, two books, song, lights out. Offering small choices (this pajama or that one) gives them some control without dragging bedtime out.
Crib or bed?
Most toddlers are safest in a crib for now. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests moving to a bed once a child is about 35 inches (89 cm) tall or can climb out.
Wake windows at 18 months
A wake window is the time your baby is awake between one sleep and the next. At 18 months it is usually 4 h to 6 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 18 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 18 months
Big feelings, "no!", molars and separation anxiety. Bedtime gets harder. Read the full guide: 18 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.