11-12 Months Old Sleep Schedule

 At 11-12 months old, your little one is going through so much development; motor skills, cognitive development, language & social-emotional development. Your little one may begin to take their first steps with or without support & may start climbing onto furniture. Increased curiosity leads to more exploring of their environment. They may open cupboards, pull out drawers, and investigate new spaces. Many babies say their first words, often "mama" or "dada," and may begin to use simple words to refer to familiar objects or people. Strong attachment to primary caregivers is evident, and babies may show signs of separation anxiety. Clear preferences for certain toys, people, and activities become noticeable.

How many hours of sleep does my 11-12 month old need?

This vary from child to child for they all require different sleep needs. However, typically at this age, they need around 11-14 hours of total sleep over a 24 hour period (including naps). If you have a low sleep needs child, then they are likely at the lower end of this range and if you have a high sleep needs child, then you would find that they are on the higher end of this range. You need to determine your individual child's sleep needs by observing what their mood & behaviour are like after their naps; are they happy or are they irritable & upset? Note that some babies wake up upset regardless of how long they slept for, but their mood gets better after a few minutes of waking up.

What wake windows should my 11-12 month old have?

A 11-12 month old baby usually stays awake for about 3 to 4 hours before needing a nap. In the morning, these awake times are often shorter, but as the day goes on and the baby gets a bit older, they tend to get longer. You are aiming for a total of 2.5-3 hours of daytime sleep.

Here's a typical routine for a baby between 11 and 12 months old:

11-12 month old sample schedule:

Note: Please keep in mind that these are just examples. It's important to pay attention to your baby's signs of hunger and how long they nap to decide whether to feed them before or after their nap. Make sure to observe your baby and be attentive to their specific requirements.

How many naps should my baby be taking at 11-12 months of age?

They generally need 2 naps. If your baby is taking more than 2 naps because they're short, it's a good idea to check their wake windows to make sure it's right for their age. While most babies start to fight their 2nd nap at this age, this is most likely because they go through a sleep regression at around 12 months old. It is common for them to trick you into thinking they are ready for a 1 nap schedule, however they still need 2 naps. More sleep problems occur when you transition your little one from 2-1 nap too early. Try to preserve their 2nd nap by shortening their first nap (capping this to 30-45 mins). This will help lengthen the 2nd nap. Remember that every baby is unique with different sleep needs. It is important to observe your individual bub & know how much sleep they actually need.

If you need more assistance with nap changes, check out my 5-24 Months Sleep Guide, which covers nap transitions, formal nap training, age-appropriate methods to help your little one sleep, early morning waking & so much more.

Tip: Don't let your little one nap longer than 2 hours to ensure they are getting their calories up during the day (feeding every 2.5-3 hours) & also to make sure they are not getting too much sleep during the day, which can result in frequent night wakes, split nights or early rising.

If you’re wanting 1:1 support, I also have options available for you. Individual babies have unique sleep patterns and needs, and what works for one may not work for another. My 1:1 support will help you in choosing a responsive method that sits comfortably with you and best suits your bub and their temperament. These options are for 5 months to 4 years old. If you would like to know more about what working together might look like and learn more about my methods, I’m happy to chat. Book your free 15 minute discovery call here. This is your no obligation pathway to better rest.