13 Month Old Sleep Schedule

What time should a 13 month old go to bed?#

The sweet spot bedtime for 13 month old babies tends to be between 7:00-8:00 pm. This is the time that typically helps babies fall asleep and stay asleep during the night. I understand that for some families, bedtime needs to be outside of this range. If your 13 month old’s bedtime is before 7:00 pm or after 8:00 pm and sleep is going well, you don’t need to worry about making a change. 

If your 13 month old has a bedtime later than 8:00 pm and is struggling to fall asleep at bedtime, having false start bedtimes, waking in the middle of the night, or having early morning wakings, try moving bedtime a little earlier for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. 

An earlier bedtime (Think 6:00-6:30 pm.) can be helpful when daytime sleep didn’t go as planned. You may need to move bedtime earlier than 7:00 pm if you had a day when: 

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

• A nap was short or refused.

• Your 13 month old has been awake at least 3.5 hours and is really struggling to make it to bedtime, especially if they’ve recently transitioned to one nap or are sick.

For more tips about setting your little one up for success at bedtime, see the blog Creating a Bedtime Routine. 

What is a sample 13 month old feeding schedule? #

After your baby’s first birthday, solids become their primary source of nutrition. When it comes to a 13 month old feeding schedule, you’ll want to offer food and drink every 2-3.5 hours depending on your baby’s hunger. If your 13 month old is nursing, they may prefer a nursing session instead of snack, but nursing sessions can fit into these sample schedules according to your baby’s needs. You can see how those feedings could play out in the examples above.

Of course, just like adults, your child’s appetite can vary from day to day, but following a predictable routine of when you offer meals and snacks is helpful for staying ahead of your little one’s hunger, and we know that being hungry can make everything harder (cue tantrums!). 

Be sure to speak with your pediatrician about any concerns you have regarding how much your one year old is eating.

How much milk should a 13 month old drink? #

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who are 13 months old should drink 16-24 ounces of whole milk per day. Serving about 4-6 ounces of milk with meals or a snack allows your baby to be hungry enough to eat other foods with needed nutrients instead of filling up on milk alone.

If you’re wondering HOW to do this, let me talk you through the transition from formula or breastmilk to whole milk and also from the bottle to the sippy cup.

For nursing mamas, if breastfeeding continues to work for you and your baby, there is no pressure to wean and transition to whole milk just because of your baby’s age. Continue your nursing journey for as long as your family desires.

For some babies and families, cow’s milk is not the best option. If you have questions about milk alternatives and ensuring your baby gets the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development, please speak with your pediatrician.

What are the best sippy cups for 13 month old babies?#

Similar to finding a pacifier or bottle that works best for your baby, finding the best sippy cup may take a few tries. While some babies love straw cups, others prefer open cups. If your baby has always used the same cup for water and is hesitant to drink milk from that cup, this is normal! Try switching to a different color or a completely different style cup. 

Keep in mind, it’s best to avoid cups with hard spouts. Here are some of the best sippy cups for 13 month old babies:

This is a perfect age to practice using a sippy cup. If you need more help, check out these options for transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup.

What are some 13 month old milestones?#

Your 13 month old baby may:

• Cruise along furniture or walk independently

• Drink from an open cup without help

• Say 1-2 recognizable words

• Turn a few pages in a book 

• Help with some dressing (like pushing arm through a sleeve or pulling off socks)

• Hold a crayon and scribble

• Drop or throw toys, especially from their highchair

Please know these milestones are based on age ranges, and every baby develops at their own pace. Check with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s development.

What are some activities for my 13 month old? #

Here are some easy ways to engage with your 13 month old: 

• Get outside! If it’s possible, take your 13 month old to a park for some swinging and exploring. 

• Encourage language development through reading and singing to your baby. Lift-a-Flap books are fun for your curious baby!

• Blow bubbles! This is a great way to entertain your 13 month old (and yourself!).

• Engage your baby’s senses with some sensory play. Wrap some objects (think toy animals or small blocks) in tissue paper and let your baby unwrap them. It’s a 2-for-1! They can play with the object inside or may find the paper even more exciting!

Check out my Amazon page for more ideas for toys for 13 month old babies. 

Is there a sleep regression at 13 months?#

It’s possible! Babies can show signs of sleep regressions for many different reasons. We typically see a 12 month sleep regression, but because every baby develops at their own pace, it’s possible your 13 month old may experience sudden changes in sleep. Your 13 month old suddenly not sleeping could also be due to your baby: