12 Month Old Sleep Schedule

Step 3: Once that feeding is before the bedtime routine truly begins (out in the living room) for a few days, you can transition from a bottle or nursing session to a sippy cup when you’re ready. Please remember, if nursing is still working for your family, there’s no reason to transition this feeding to a cup.

What are some 12 month old milestones? #

Here are a few milestones that you may notice around 12 months :

• Standing unsupported

• Taking a few steps without assistance

• Going from standing to sitting independently 

• Flipping through pages of a book 

• Responding to their name

• Following simple commands

• Showing an attachment to a certain object or toy 

Each new milestone your baby achieves is so exciting, but please know these milestones are based on age ranges and every baby develops at their own pace. Make sure to speak with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s development.

What are some activities I can do with my 12 month old? #

Here are some ideas to entertain and engage with your one year old: 

• Try stacking activities with objects around the house or something like this block set.  Stacking helps build cognitive and fine motor skills. 

• Explore sensory play together. Make taste-safe play dough together, dump a cup of Cheerios into a small bin and add some spoons and scoops, or simply fill up the bath and let your little one play.

• Play with a busy board. Little ones at this age love zippers, strings, buttons, and snaps. Don’t have a busy board? Try letting your little one flip the light switch on and off.

• Encourage some role-play with toys or household items that allow your baby to mimic everyday life (They love this!). Things like a toy stethoscope, a hairbrush to brush their doll’s hair, measuring cups to “make recipes,” a small broom to “help with cleaning.”

• Make music! Music is always a good idea (and a great way to stretch a wake window). Create a homemade band with pots and pans or something like this xylophone.

What time should my 12 month old go to bed?#

I recommend a bedtime between 7:00-8:00 pm. This sweet spot bedtime can help your 12 month old fall asleep and stay asleep during the night. If your one year old’s bedtime is currently outside of this range and sleep is going well, don’t worry about making any changes. 

On the other hand, if bedtime is after 8:00 pm and your little one is taking longer than 20 minutes to fall asleep, having false start bedtimes, not sleeping through the night, or waking earlier than 6:00 am, consider shifting bedtime just a bit earlier for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. 

You may also have some days when things don’t go as you planned. Consider shifting bedtime earlier than 7:00 pm if:

• Daytime sleep was less than 2-2.5 hours total.

• A nap was short or refused.

• Your 12 month old has been awake at least 3 hours and is really struggling to make it to bedtime, especially if they are sick.

If bedtime is a struggle and you’re not sure where to start, see the blog Creating a Bedtime Routine for some helpful tips.  

How much sleep does a 12 month old need? #

A 12 month old needs about 13-15 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. Our goal for this total looks like 2.5-3 hours of daytime sleep and 10-12 hours of overnight sleep. I find that babies who are on the higher end of the range for night sleep are often on the lower end of the range for daytime sleep and vice versa. 

Is there a 12 month sleep regression? #

Yes, I often see sudden changes in sleep around a baby’s first birthday. Your one year old is experiencing major strides in physical, cognitive, and emotional development, and these can often impact sleep. My best advice for dealing with the 12 month sleep regression is to be consistent. Often, making changes to your baby’s healthy sleep habits during a sleep regression can turn a little bump in the road into an ongoing sleep struggle. If you’ve been struggling for more than a short time, please know that I can help you with a holistic and fully customizable approach to sleep so you can establish great sleep, even in the midst of a regression.  

Does my 12 month old need a sleep sack? #

A sleep sack is a great option for your 12 month old! While the American Academy of Pediatrics says it is safe to introduce a blanket after your baby turns one year old, I’ve found that blankets aren’t usually the best option for a 12 month old. As you’ve probably noticed, babies this age move a lot in their sleep! With all of this movement overnight, that blanket is probably not going to stay on your baby, which means that it won’t keep them warm. One of the benefits of a sleep sack is that it moves with your baby throughout the night to keep them warm and comfortable. If you’re wondering what your baby should wear under a sleep sack, check out my blog Dress Your Baby for Comfortable Sleep.  

Another benefit of a sleep sack is that zipping it up cues your baby’s brain to switch to sleepy-time mode and helps prepare your 12 month old for a nap or bedtime! Sleep sacks may also help prevent crawling out of the crib. We want your little one to practice new skills (like standing, climbing, or walking) during awake time. Wearing a sleep sack can help deter practicing while in the crib.

When can my baby sleep with a blanket or a lovey? #

Your baby can sleep with a blanket or lovey after they turn one year old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a baby’s sleep environment is bare (except for a fitted sheet) for the first 12 months. This includes loose bedding, blankets, stuffed animals, comfort objects, and pillows. Once they turn 12 months, a lovey or a small blanket can be introduced.

When choosing a lovey for your one year old, make sure it is:

• Soft: You don’t want your child hurting themselves when rolling on it at night.

• Free of loose parts and choking hazards: No button eyes or removable parts.

• An appropriate size: Think small enough to pick up and hold independently, but big enough to snuggle.