On This Page
- Why Toddlers Need a Bedtime
- What Time Toddlers Should Go to Bed
- Signs a Toddler Bedtime Is Too Early
- Signs a Toddler Bedtime Is Too Late
- How to Find the Right Toddler Bedtime
- Toddler Sleep Regressions
- More Toddler Bedtime Help
Sometimes when we’re trying to understand why out toddler is fighting bedtime, we overlook the obvious: We picked the wrong time! But with flexibility being the name of the game when parenting a toddler, you may wonder if they should have a “set” bedtime at all.
Should toddlers have a bedtime?
Toddlers (ages 1 to 5) sleep about 12 to 14 hours a day (including naps), but without a solid sleep plan, half of them will wake up in the middle of the night. That’s why having a toddler bedtime not only reduces tuck-in troubles, it can also help the whole family catch more ZZZs. Not to mention, routines are incredibly comforting to toddlers. So pick a bedtime that works for your toddler, and try to stick to it!
What time should a toddler go to bed?
For most tots, lights-out is around 9pm (give or take30 minutes), but pushing it later—or trying to force it earlier—may lead to more middle-of-the- night waking! I’ve found the sweet spot tends to be around 8 to 8:30pm, but every child is different.
When is atoddler bedtime too early?
For most toddlers, it’s too much to ask for them to snooze straight through from 7pm till 7am. It’s just more sleep than they need.
Signs that your bedtime may be too early include:
- Your tot fights falling asleep for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Your toddlershows no sign of fatigue at bedtime.
- Your tykewakes up in the middle of the night or very early the next day, refreshed and ready to go.
When is a toddler bedtime too late?
Overtired children often get more hyper. Rather than winding down, they get wound up! This leads to bedtime resistance, and the memory of these struggles can reverberate throughout the nighttime and actually wake your tot whenthey enter one oftheir light stages of sleep in the middle of the night.
Here are some clues that your toddler’s bedtime is too late:
- Your child fights falling asleep for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Theyhave trouble waking in the morning;they're extra cranky and moody during the day; andthey fall asleep during car or stroller rides.
- Your toddlershows clear signs of fatigue at bedtime (rubbing eyes, blinking, yawning, getting silly and wild, acting cranky, having accidents).
How to Find the Right Bedtime for your Toddler
If you think bedtime is too early, try pushingyour toddler's bedtime routine 15 minutes later over two to three nights. If you think bedtime is too late, start their routine 15 minutes earlier every two to three nights. Either approach should work within a week or two.
Is there a sleep regression at 3 years old?
There are a number of things that disturb a toddler’s sleep. Toddlers love running, dancing, and exploring—and they can be pretty rigid in their reactions to your requests—all of which can add up to rebellion at bedtime! This is why establishing a routine is highly important. Another contributing factor are sleep disturbances like nightmares, confusional arousals, and night terrors. (Read more about toddler sleep regressions!)
For Extra Toddler Bedtime Help...
If you’re still having difficulty with your toddler’s sleepcheck out SNOObie! SNOObie plays doctor-designed white noise to help boost your toddler's sleep. Plus, SNOObie features a customizable nightlight to banish toddler fears and is an OK-to-wake sleep trainer that helps keeps tots in bed longer. Learn more about setting routines with SNOObie.
More Toddler Sleep Tips:
- Ease Sleepytime Struggles With a Bedtime Routine Chart
- Why Toddlers Refuse Sleep (and How to Help!)
- How to Sleep Train a Toddler
- Why Your Toddler Needs an OK-to-Wake Clock
- What to Do If Your Toddler Won't Nap
About Dr. Harvey Karp
Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.
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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.
FAQs
If your toddler is still napping, we generally want bedtime to be 4.5-5.5 hours from the end of their nap. Wake windows typically increase with age, so a two year old will likely need around 4.5 hours of wake time before bed, while a three or four year old may do better with closer to 5.5 hours.
What time should a 2 year old go to bed? ›
Buying Guide
| Age Range | Recommended Hours of Sleep (NSF) | Recommended Bedtime |
|---|
| 7-11 months old | 12 to 16 hours | 6:00 pm - 7:30pm |
| 1-2 years old | 11- 14 hours | 6:00 pm -7:30pm |
| 3-5 years old | 10-13 hours | 7:15 pm - 8:30pm |
| 6-13 years old | 9-11 hours | 7:15p.m-9:00pm |
2 more rowsBest age to switch to toddler bed
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the transition out of a crib once they're 35 inches tall, which typically happens between 18 - 24 months. Most falls from the crib happen when children try to climb out, and that usually happens only after the rail is about chest level.
Is 9pm too late for toddler bedtime? ›
As long as your child is getting enough sleep (check out our age-by-stage sleep chart), then an early or late bedtime is fine as long as it suits your family's schedule. Sleeping from 9pm to 8am might be perfectly normal for a baby in one family, while sleeping from 6pm to 5am is the norm in another.
What is a good schedule for a 2 year old? ›
Sample schedule
- 7:30 to 8 a.m.: Wake up.
- 8 to 9 a.m.: Eat breakfast and clean up. ...
- 9 to 10 a.m.: Playtime. ...
- 10 to 11 a.m.: Outdoor time, exercise, etc. ...
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Planned activity or errands. ...
- 12 to 1 p.m.: Lunch and wind down. ...
- 1 to 3 p.m.: Nap or quiet time. ...
- 3 to 3:30 p.m.: Afternoon snack.
According to this schedule, your baby should be up for 2 hours before they go down for their first nap. 3 hours after that morning nap ends, your baby goes back down for their second nap. And then 4 hours after your baby wakes up from their second nap, it's time for bedtime.
What time is too early for toddler bedtime? ›
Tip: Baby and Toddler Bedtime by Age
| Age | Recommended Bedtime |
|---|
| 9-12 months old (around 11-15 hours of sleep needed per day) | 6:30pm-7:30pm |
| 1-2 years old (around about 10-14 hours of sleep needed per day) | 7pm-9pm |
| 3-5 years old (around 10-13 hours of sleep needed per day) | 8pm-9pm |
2 more rowsJul 20, 2023
A consistent early bedtime is especially important for young children transitioning from biphasic sleep (where children still nap during the day) to monophasic sleep (where sleep happens at night).
How to enforce bedtime with a toddler? ›
Keep Bedtime Short, Predictable and Consistent
A typical routine may include putting on PJs, brushing teeth and reading a book with you followed by kisses, goodnights and lights out. Make sure your tone is firm but warm so as to keep your child accountable when moving through the bedtime routine.
When to switch toddler to bed from crib? ›
Up-to-Date
Transitioning to a toddler bed occurs between 18 months and 3 years. Signs a child is ready for a bed include outgrowing and climbing out of the crib or expressing any desire for a new bed. Involve the child, prioritize safety, and maintain routines during the transition.
Toddlers usually move from their cot to a toddler bed when they're between 18 and 24 months old or 90cm tall – you can track their height and weight here. One of the first signs your child is ready for a toddler bed is that they may now be too active to stay in a cot.
When to potty train a toddler? ›
When to start potty training. Toilet training may come up during children's 18-month, 2-year, 2½-year, and 3-year well-child visits. The average age toilet training begins in the United States is between 2 and 3 years of age. Most children in the United States are bowel and bladder trained by 4 years of age.
What is the best time to put a toddler to bed? ›
Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. This is a good time, because they sleep deepest between 8 pm and midnight. It's important to keep the routine consistent on weekends as well as during the week.
What is a normal bedtime for a 2.5 year old? ›
This depends on your child's wake time and nap length, but it's common to see bedtime between 7:00 - 9:00 PM at this age. Ideally, your 2.5 year old's bedtime will allow for 10 - 12 hours of night sleep on most nights. If your toddler takes 1.5 - 2 hour long naps they'll likely need 10 - 11 hours of sleep.
What is a good toddler bedtime? ›
What time should a toddler go to bed? For most tots, lights-out is around 9pm (give or take 30 minutes), but pushing it later—or trying to force it earlier—may lead to more middle-of-the- night waking! I've found the sweet spot tends to be around 8 to 8:30pm, but every child is different.
When should I put my 2 year old in a bed? ›
When Is the Right Time to Switch to a Toddler Bed? Approximately one-third of toddlers transition to a bed between the ages of 18 months and 2 years old, and another third transition between ages 2 and 2.5. In general, most toddlers make the move from a crib to a bed between the age of 18 months and 3 years old.
How late should I let my toddler sleep in? ›
Experts recommend keeping at least three hours between the end of a nap and bedtime. So if your child's bedtime is between 7 and 8 p.m., don't put them down for a nap after 3 p.m. or so. 6:30 a.m.: Wake up. 7 a.m.: Breakfast.
Is there a 2 year sleep regression? ›
The 2-year-old sleep regression is a brief period of time when a 2-year-old who was otherwise sleeping well begins to fight sleep at bedtime, wake throughout the night, or rise too early in the morning.
How many naps should a 2 year old take? ›
Toddlers (1–2 years): 11–14 hours. Young toddlers may still take two naps, but most drop down to one nap a day by 18 months. Preschool (3–5 years): 10–13 hours. Many preschoolers get enough sleep at night and give up their afternoon nap during these years.
