# 18 month old sleep: what’s normal, what’s hard, and when to get help

> The AASM advises 11 to 14 hours of sleep per 24 hours at 18 months, naps included, and most toddlers nap once. Climbing, separation and screens disrupt it.

Source: https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-18-months/
Publisher: Actually Sleeping LLC · Reviewed by Dr. Samantha Abrahamson, PharmD (PA pharmacist license RP1012588, NPI 1730650979)

The AASM advises 11 to 14 hours of sleep per 24 hours at 18 months, counting naps, and most toddlers have moved to one nap. The usual things that disrupt sleep are climbing, worries about separation and screen habits. According to the AAP, avoid screens before 18 months, limit entertainment screen time to 1 hour a day from 18 months to age 5, and turn screens off an hour before bedtime. 

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## Changes around 18 months 

The CDC’s milestones by 18 months include walking without holding on, getting on and off a couch or chair unaided, trying to say three or more words, and wandering away from you while checking that you’re still nearby. Of these, climbing has the biggest effect at night. 

According to the AAP, separation anxiety tends to peak between 10 and 18 months and eases over the second half of the second year. Plenty of toddlers are at the very top of that curve right now.  
| Screens and sleep from 18 months | AAP guidance | 
|---|---|
| Before 18 months | Steer clear of TV and mobile apps | 
| 18 months to age 5 | Limit entertainment screen time to 1 hour a day | 
| Before bed | Turn screens off for the hour before bedtime | 
| Bedroom | Keep bedrooms unplugged and free of media | 
 

According to the AAP, screen viewing contributes to difficulties with both sleep and attention. 

Sleep struggles at 18 months are usually a blend of fresh independence and established habits, and separating the two takes a plan designed for your child. Actually Sleeping coaches families with babies and toddlers from newborn on: Dr. Sam writes the plan, and you get bootcamp-style coaching before night one plus daily 1:1 check-ins. 

## What normal looks like 

A review of studies found children aged 1 to 2 years slept an average of 12.6 hours per 24 hours, within a normal range of about 10 to 15 hours, took about 1 nap a day, and woke an average of 0.7 times a night. For children who napped, total nap time averaged 2.3 hours. A single nap is the usual pattern by now, though not a rule. Some toddlers still need a short second nap on certain days, and that’s fine. 

## The hardest parts for parents  
- **Refusing bedtime.** “No” has become a new, powerful word. 
- **Attempts to climb.** A child who has just started climbing can make the crib unsafe; read the safety section below. 
- **Waking at night and calling for a parent.** This is often tied to separation. 
- **Waking early** once the switch to one nap has happened. 
 

## Keeping sleep safe at 18 months  
- Leave the crib once your child reaches 35 inches (89 cm) tall or the rail sits below about three-quarters of their height (AAP, MedlinePlus), or as soon as they can climb out (AAP). 
- If climbing out starts before you have a bed ready, the AAP suggests placing the crib mattress on the floor. 
- Secure dressers and other furniture so nothing can tip, and keep chairs away from windows. 
 

## Night feeds 

If your toddler is still waking for milk, ask your pediatrician whether it’s needed. As part of its guidance on preventing tooth decay, the AAP advises against a bottle in bed. 

## When to see the pediatrician  
- Snoring on most nights, pauses in breathing, or sleepiness and irritability during the day that might suggest sleep apnea. 
- Your child isn’t walking, says fewer than three words, or doesn’t point to show you things. 
- Night terrors that keep coming back. 
 

## Next steps 

Toddlers check whether limits hold, so the plan needs to suit your child and every caregiver needs to give the same response. Actually Sleeping puts that in place, and the result is covered 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. Parents share their experience in our [12 months and up reviews](https://actuallysleeping.net/reviews/12-months-plus/). See also: [the 18-month regression](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/18-month-sleep-regression/), the [18-month schedule](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/18-month-old-sleep-schedule/), and [separation anxiety at bedtime](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/separation-anxiety-at-bedtime/). To get started, book a free consultation. 

## More guides like this
- [Sleep at 9 months: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when to reach out](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-9-months/)
- [Your 7 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to ask for help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-7-months/)
- [Your 6 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to get help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-6-months/)
- [4 month old sleep: what to expect, common struggles and when to get help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-4-months/)
- [Sleep at 3 years: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when should you get help?](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-36-months/)
 

## Want your baby sleeping like this?

With Actually Sleeping you get 1:1 coaching: Dr. Sam writes a sleep plan for your baby, we coach you bootcamp-style before the first night, and we check in daily until it is working. We have coached 700+ families, collected 129 video reviews, and put our guarantee in writing: 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days, or a full refund.

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## Common questions 

### How many hours should an 18 month old sleep?

For children aged 1 to 2 years, the AASM advises 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, counting naps, and the AAP supports this. Research found the average at this age was about 12.6 hours, with healthy children falling above and below it. 

### Can screen time affect my toddler’s sleep?

According to the AAP, screen viewing contributes to sleep problems. Its advice is to stop screens 1 hour before bed, keep bedrooms free of media, and limit entertainment screen time to 1 hour a day from 18 months to age 5. 

### What should I do now that my 18 month old is trying to climb out of the crib?

Check that the mattress sits at its lowest setting. The AAP says a toddler who can climb out may be ready for a bed; if climbing out starts before a bed is ready, place the crib mattress on the floor. Secure furniture so it can’t tip.  

## References
1. [Paruthi S, et al. Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016;12(6):785–786.](https://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/pediatricsleepdurationconsensus.pdf)
2. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need.aspx)
3. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Why to Avoid TV for Infants & Toddlers.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Why-to-Avoid-TV-Before-Age-2.aspx)
4. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Kids & Screen Time: How to Use the 5 C’s of Media Guidance.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/kids-and-screen-time-how-to-use-the-5-cs-of-media-guidance.aspx)
5. [CDC. Milestones by 18 Months.](https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/18-months.html)
6. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Emotional and Social Development: 8 to 12 Months.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/pages/Emotional-and-Social-Development-8-12-Months.aspx)
7. [Galland BC, Taylor BJ, Elder DE, Herbison P. Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: a systematic review of observational studies. Sleep Med Rev. 2012;16(3):213–222.](https://www.nationaljewish.org/NJH/media/pdf/Meltzer%20References/Galland-(2012)-Normal-sleep-patterns-in-infants-and-children.pdf)
8. [Staton S, et al. Many naps, one nap, none: A systematic review and meta-analysis of napping patterns in children 0–12 years. Sleep Med Rev. 2020;50:101247.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9704850/)
9. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Big Kid Beds: When to Switch From a Crib.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/Big-Kid-Beds-When-To-Make-the-Switch.aspx)
10. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Make Baby's Room Safe: Parent Checklist.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Make-Babys-Room-Safe.aspx)
11. [MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Crib safety tips.](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000542.htm)
12. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Sleep Apnea in Children: Detection & Treatment.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sleep-Apnea-Detection.aspx)
13. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Nightmares, Night Terrors & Sleepwalking in Children.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Nightmares-and-Night-Terrors.aspx)
14. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Brushing Up on Oral Health: Never Too Early to Start.](https://healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brushing-Up-on-Oral-Health-Never-Too-Early-to-Start.aspx)