15-24 month old

This Mini Guide includes:

• What to expect at 15-24 months
• Guidelines for better sleep
• Why is my toddler suddenly waking up at night?
• Is there a sleep regression at this age?
• Should we move to a toddler bed?
• How do I wean bedtime feeding?
• Can I sleep train my 15-24 month old?
• Can I give my 15-24 month old a blanket for sleep?
• Developmental Milestones
• Playtime activities

What to expect at 15-24 months

• Resisting naps:
  
  Many babies between 13-18-month-old transition from 2 naps to 1 longer mid-day nap, usually lasting 2-3 hours. This transition might take some time to adjust. If your baby has been struggling with short naps, having trouble falling asleep at nap time and/or bedtime, starts refusing a nap or bedtime has been happening consistently later than 8 pm to be able to fit both naps; consider transitioning to a single nap. Here is a guide for a smoother transition from 2 to 1 nap.
   

  When we drop a nap too early, we often see other sleep issues appear, like night wakings, early morning wakings, and short naps.

  If naps are short or missed, move bedtime earlier to prevent overtiredness.

• Resisting bedtime:
  Toddlers are learning independence and may test boundaries at bedtime or resist bedtime routines. Maintain a consistent bedtime routine to signal your toddler that it’s time to wind down. Very often, resisting bedtime happens because of separation anxiety. Here is a guide to help navigate separation anxiety.
  
  
• Early morning wakings:
  Sleep pressure is lower between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., increasing the chances of waking up. If your baby is waking up between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., our guide on early morning wakings can help you identify the possible cause and suggest some strategies to improve it.

• Sleep Associations:
  If babies are accustomed to being rocked or fed to sleep, they may wake and need the same conditions to fall back asleep. Gradually and gently teaching your baby to fall asleep independently is crucial to decrease night wakes.
  

Guidelines for better sleep

• Wake-up times: between 6:00-7:00 am
• Average Number of Naps: 1-2
• Ideal single nap length: 2-3 hrs
• Wake Windows: 3-4 hours for 2 naps, and 4-6 hours for 1 nap
• Last nap to end: 2:30-3:00 p.m
• Goal Amount of Daytime Sleep: 2-3 hours
• Bedtime: 7:00-8:00 pm
• Total night sleep: 10-12 hours at night
• Feedings: About every 2.5 -3.5 hours based on hunger cues.

Daily routines:

• Nap 1: About 3-3.5 hours after Wake Time 
• Nap 2: About 3-3.5 hours after the end of Nap 1
• Bedtime: About 3.5-4 hours after the end of Nap 2
  
  

• Nap: About 5-6 hours after Wake Time
• Bedtime: About 4-5 hours after the end of Nap
  
  

• second nap is interfering with bedtime (bedtime suddenly becomes a battle)
• baby is resisting the second nap for a few days
• baby doesn't seem tired at nap time- difficulty falling asleep
• struggles with short naps
• experience frequent night wakings or early morning wakings

Other tips: 

• For most babies, falling asleep for naps and nights can take between 5-20 minutes; for toddlers, it can take 20-30 minutes. If it takes less than this time, they might be overtired. If it takes more than this range, they might be undertired. Adjust your wake windows as needed based on this, and you will learn your baby's rhythm over time.
• Limit daytime naps to 2 hours (if taking 2 naps)  or 3 hours (if taking 1 nap) in order to prevent disruptions to daytime feeding, total time awake, and to nighttime sleep. It's ok to wake baby up when you need to, to ensure they get enough calories and awake time.
• Establishing a bedtime routine and naptime routine can pave the way for better sleep. 
• Consider starting your day at a consistent time every morning (say 8:00 am, no more than around 12 hours after bedtime). This sets a consistent time to help regulate their rhythm, improves their chance of exposure to daylight, and encourages daytime activity & longer night sleep stretches. 
• Every baby is unique. Learn about your baby's temperament to help them with sleep struggles.
  
  Babies with a tendency towards highly-sensitive or slow-to-warm traits might struggle more with shorter sleep duration, sensitivity to their environment, and night wake ups. Implementing regular and consistent routines, safe and familiar sleep environment, consistency in your responses to their needs, and gently teaching baby to fall asleep independently can help.
  
  In addition, persistent(unfazed by challenges such as grabbing a toy from out of their reach), and non-distractable (continues feeding or playing even with distractions) children need very consistent routines and responses.
   
  

Why Is My Toddler Suddenly Waking Up at Night?

If your toddler suddenly starts waking up at night, first check for any physical discomfort, such as illness or teething.

If your toddler is comfortable and healthy but continues to wake up, consider these common causes:

• Overtiredness: Dropping a nap too soon can lead to overtiredness, making it hard for your baby to fall and stay asleep. If your toddler recently transitioned to one nap, try slightly reducing wake windows. They might benefit from an earlier bedtime, around 6-6:30 PM, during the transition. 
• Uder-tiredness: If your baby’s wake windows are on the shorter side, gradually extend them. This helps prevent overtiredness while finding the optimal range for your baby.
• Transitioning to One Nap: It might be time to drop a nap if your baby is still taking two naps.
• Sleep Environment: Ensure the room is dark and quiet. A white noise machine acts as a consistent audio blanket, masking sudden noises like doorbells or loud conversations. Research shows it helps babies achieve deeper sleep, reduces night awakenings, and helps them fall asleep 80% faster.  Also, check the room temperature and your baby’s sleep attire.
• Separation Anxiety: A peak in separation anxiety can cause disruptions. This may look like crying at bedtime, standing in the crib, or showing a preference for one caregiver. Practice short, intentional separations and play games like Peek-a-Boo to ease this anxiety.
• New Skills: Practicing new skills outside the crib can help prevent your baby from wanting to practice them in the crib.
• Overstimulation: Busy days or changes in routine can lead to overstimulation, making it harder for toddlers to wind down. Ensure the environment before bedtime is calm, and avoid screen time at least 1-2 hours before bed.
• Nightmares and Night Terrors: As toddlers' imaginations develop, they might start to have nightmares or night terrors. Talk about and address any fears your toddler might have in a reassuring manner.

Is There a Sleep Regression at This Age?

Yes, there is an 18-month-old sleep regression and a 2-year-old sleep regression. During this time, toddlers experience significant growth physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, which can impact their sleep patterns. The best way to help your toddler through this phase is to remain consistent with healthy sleep habits. Disrupting these routines could turn a temporary regression into a long-term struggle.

Should We Move to a Toddler Bed?

Most 15-18 month olds sleep best in a crib. At this age, they typically lack the developmental ability to understand why they need to stay in bed or resist the urge to get out. If your 15-18-month-old is having trouble sleeping in the crib, consider the reasons in the previous section.

If your child is climbing out of the crib, transitioning to a toddler bed or Montessori bed might be the safest option. Ensure the entire nursery is free from any safety hazards. Here is a guide on how to safely transition to a toddler bed while minimizing sleep disruptions.

How do I Wean the Bedtime Feeding?

Many pediatricians suggest transitioning away from bottle-feeding around 12 months. However, you don’t need to stop bottle-feeding or breastfeeding at bedtime just because your child reaches their first birthday. The timing of dropping a bedtime feeding is a personal choice and can be tailored to fit your and your baby's needs. When you’re ready to wean your baby off the bedtime bottle or nursing session, begin by gradually moving the feeding time to earlier in the evening, over a week or two, until it's no longer part of the bedtime routine. For example, if you have a 5-step bedtime routine with feeding as the final step, start by making it the 4th step for a couple of days. Then, move it to the 3rd step, and continue this process until feeding is no longer part of the bedtime routine.

Can I Sleep Train my 15-24-month-old?

Some babies might be ready as early as four months. However, most will be ready only when closer to 6 months. It’s important to follow your baby’s development and growth to determine when the time is right. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to when to sleep train for naps and nights. Check out our guide to assess when to sleep train. 

Can I Give My 15-24-Month-Old a Blanket for Sleep?

Yes, you can. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, blankets are safe to use after your child’s first birthday. However, we typically recommend using a sleep sack for little ones still in a crib. At this age, children are often very active in their sleep, and a sleep sack is more effective at keeping them warm throughout the night since it stays in place.

While we prefer wearable blankets for consistent warmth, this is also a good time to introduce a small blanket or lovey as a comfort item. Opt for a soft, free of loose parts and choking hazards.

Developmental Milestones

👉🏻 Remember, these milestones are general guidelines, and every child develops at their own pace.

• Motor Skills:
  • Fine Motor: Masters the "pincer grasp", stacks blocks, turns book pages, and might show interest in drawing or scribbling.
  • Gross Motor: Proficient walkers, may run, climb stairs with help, kick a ball, and some might start to jump.
• Language & Communication:
  • Vocabulary expands, often reaching around 50 words by 24 months.
  • Combines two words for basic sentences, like "more juice".
  • Understands simple instructions, such as "come here" or "put it back".
  • Begins to recognize and might be able to name common objects.
• Cognitive Development
  • Demonstrates a growing memory, remembering where objects belong or recognizing familiar places.
  • Engages in pretend play, like feeding a doll or cooking.
  • Understands basic concepts of time, like "now", "soon", and "later".
  • Begins to identify shapes and colors, though they might not be able to name them yet.
• Social & Emotional Development:
  • Grows more independent in play but remains attached to caregivers.
  • Might exhibit possessiveness with toys.
  • Can express a wider range of emotions and might even start to recognize them in others.
  • Play becomes more imaginative and may involve other children, although playing side-by-side without much interaction is common.
• Self-Help Skills:
  • May show interest in potty training, though readiness varies widely.
  • Can use a spoon or fork, though with varying levels of proficiency and mess.
  • Helps in dressing and might develop strong preferences for certain clothing.

🎈 Check out our post about Playtime: Activities for your 11-14-month-old