13 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

It’s common to see some nap skipping at this age, as children begin to outgrow their 2-nap schedule windows. You may have some days with 1 nap and other days with 2 naps; we recommend continuing to offer 2 naps a day. On days that naps are short, or a nap is skipped, offer an earlier bedtime to limit overtiredness.

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How much should a 13 month old sleep?

At 13 months old, we’ll continue to aim for at least 13.25 hours of total sleep per day (11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of day sleep over 2 naps). Most babies need 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.

[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]

Top sleep tip for 13 month olds

Some older babies really enjoy the routine of throwing their pacifier out of the crib at bedtime. Fun game for baby, not so fun for mom and dad! Instead of placing a handful of pacifiers in the crib at bedtime (just to be thrown overboard anyway), try giving them just 1 or 2 at bedtime, getting them used to only having a limited amount. Then, pop back in after your child has fallen asleep and place a few extra in the crib. That way, your baby will be sure to have 1 nearby when they wake during the night, meaning they won't need to call out for your help.

Sleep fact for 13 month old babies 

If your baby has started to wake early, consider whether dinner is being offered too early in the evening. Many babies this age have difficulty going 12 hours (or more) in between meals. This means a 5:00 PM dinner can lead to a 5:00 AM morning wake up, which is a tough sleep habit to break.

Sample 13 month old sleep schedule

Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example.

Naptime schedule for a 13 month old

How long should a 13 month old nap?

A 13 month old’s nap schedule should allow for 2 - 3 hours of day sleep. Expect your baby to take 2 naps each day, ideally, each about 60 - 120 minutes long. Most babies need between 3.25 - 4 hours of awake time in between naps at this age.

How many naps for a 13 month old?

Plan for 2 naps a day. The morning nap is typically 3.25 hours after waking in the morning, and the afternoon nap should be offered about 3.5 hours after your baby typically wakes from the first nap. However, if you find that your baby is consistently resisting naps, consider lengthening the wake window before each nap by 15 - 30 minutes.

Here’s an example of what your day may look like at this age:

2-nap schedule

1-nap schedule

Bedtime for a 13 month old

What time should a 13 month old go to bed?

Ideally, your 13 month old will be getting 11 - 12 hours of sleep at night, so bedtime should be 12 - 13 hours after waking in the morning. That said, some babies this age need longer periods of wakefulness between naps, which means bedtime will be shifted later.

If your baby resists the typical 2-nap schedule and needs more awake time between naps, expect that night sleep will temporarily be shorter. This is usually okay as long as your baby averages at least 10 hours of sleep each night, and a better option than prematurely transitioning to a 1-nap schedule.

If your baby skips a nap, you’ll want to offer an earlier bedtime in order to limit overtiredness, which often leads to shortened nighttime sleep.

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