Sleep at 2 years: what’s typical, what’s tough, and when to get help

Changes around age 2

The CDC’s milestones by 2 years include running, kicking a ball, walking up a few stairs, putting at least two words together, and noticing when someone else is hurt or upset. Toddlers now understand more than they can express, so bedtime becomes both more open to negotiation and more emotional.

The AAP says separation anxiety usually eases around the second birthday. Night terrors — which, per the AAP, are most frequent in toddlers and preschoolers — may begin to show up.

At 2, the schedule is seldom what’s wrong. Stalling, climbing and early wake-ups come from a child who understands precisely how bedtime works in your home. Actually Sleeping works with families up to age 3: Dr. Sam writes a plan for your child, and you receive bootcamp-style coaching before night one plus daily 1:1 check-ins.

If none of those signs apply, there’s no medical reason to hurry. Lots of families keep the crib until nearer 3 — a common choice, not a rule.

What’s typical

A review of studies found that 2 to 3 year olds averaged 12.0 hours of sleep in 24, with a normal range of about 9.7 to 14.2 hours. For children still napping, naps at 2 to 3 years averaged about 1.9 hours. Nearly every child still naps at 2; by 3, about one in three has stopped.

What parents struggle with most

• Stalling. Another book, another drink, another question.
• A new sibling or a new bed arriving at the same moment.
• Night terrors. Screaming early in the night without properly waking. The AAP advises staying calm and keeping your child safe; most episodes are far shorter than the 45-minute maximum it describes.
• Climbing out of the crib once, then doing it every night after.
• Screens sneaking into the evening. The AAP recommends switching screens off 1 hour before bedtime and limiting entertainment screen time to 1 hour a day from 18 months to age 5.

About night feeds

Most 2 year olds don’t need to eat during the night. How night feeds are handled depends on your baby’s age and is set in your custom plan. As part of its guidance on preventing tooth decay, the AAP advises against a bottle in bed.

When to speak to your pediatrician

• Snoring on most nights, gasping, pauses in breathing, or daytime sleepiness and behavior changes that might point to sleep apnea.
• Night terrors that keep recurring, or any nighttime episode that resembles a seizure.
• Not yet using two-word phrases, not running, or losing skills your child used to have.

Next steps

At 2, any plan must work both for a child who negotiates and for every adult who handles bedtime. Actually Sleeping writes that plan for your child, backed by the written guarantee: We guarantee that your baby will sleep 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days of consistent, correct implementation of your sleep plan. We have 129 client video reviews, and you can hear from toddler parents in our 12 months and up reviews. See also: the 2-year regression, the 2-year schedule, and when to move to a toddler bed. To get started, book a free consultation with Dr. Sam.