Sleep between 1 and 2 years old
A 1- or 2-year-old child sleeps 8 to 12 hours per night. Generally, up to 18 months, your child needs two naps per day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Beginning at about 18 months to 2 years, they may need only one nap. Sometimes they will be in a bad mood when they wake up. Be patient and wait a bit before getting back to regular activities. Remember that each baby’s sleep needs are different, and they decrease as they grow.
Sleep problems
A lot of children aged 1 or 2 cry at bedtime. They are going through a normal period of separation anxiety, which can last to 18 months or more. Their fears make it harder for them to be without you at bedtime. Keep your bedtime routine with a gentle firmness. This will help reassure your child.
Nightmares and night terrors
Beginning at age 1, many children have night terrors. The child may scream and cry, yet seems to be sleeping deeply. You don’t need to wake them or do anything, unless you think they might hurt themselves. If you can’t console them, don’t worry, they will calm down soon.
If they wake up in a panic and seem very awake, they probably had a nightmare. Being there to reassure them will help them fall back to sleep calmly.
And don’t worry, night terrors and nightmare problems generally go away as your child grows.
Disturbed sleep
If your child wakes up at night, try the bedtime routine we suggested previously for children over the age of 6 months. If you have trouble creating a bedtime routine, or if your child keeps waking up at night despite your routine and you’re concerned, talk to a health professional.
Your child’s sleep is disturbed if
- They wake often during the night (more than two times)
- They wake for a long period during the night (more than 20 minutes)
- They need you when they wake at night
- They wake more than four or five nights out of seven
- They’re woken up during the night for at least three months
In these cases, getting help is a good idea. Talking to a professional can be useful.