Sleep Needs at 12 Months
One-year-olds need 12-14 hours of total sleep. Night sleep is typically 11-12 hours, and daytime sleep totals 2-2.5 hours across 2 naps. Despite what you may read online, most 12-month-olds are not ready to drop to 1 nap. The 2-nap schedule is still the right fit for the vast majority of babies at this age.
Wake windows at 12 months are about 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) during the day and 240 minutes (4 hours) before bedtime. The pre-bedtime window is noticeably longer now, which helps with the transition to toddler scheduling.
Sample Schedule
- 6:30 AM — Wake up
- 9:50 AM — Nap 1 (1-1.5 hours)
- 2:30 PM — Nap 2 (1-1.5 hours)
- 7:00 PM — Bedtime
The 12-Month Regression
The 12-month sleep regression is linked to major milestones — walking, language development, and growing independence. Your baby may protest bedtime, wake more at night, or refuse naps. First steps are particularly disruptive because your baby wants to practice constantly, including at 3 AM. This regression typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Give your newly-walking baby lots of opportunities to practice during the day so the novelty wears off before bed. Stick to your routine even during the regression — consistency is what brings sleep back on track once the developmental burst passes.
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