Every milestone brings something new. With the new adventures of walking, attempting speech, trying new foods, and a new-found curiosity, sleeping may first come easier. But a sleep disruption may come suddenly. Many parents of toddlers 12 to 15 months old notice night waking, and bedtime and nap time struggles. Thankfully, the right understanding, and a few gentle, easy strategies as outlined in this guide will have your toddler sleeping through the night in no time.
This guide is inspired by some common sleep disruptions and gentle, practical methods we can utilize to support your toddler’s sleep.
Why is a toddler sleeping so hard at this age? Sleep challenges at this age can be rooted in:
- Rapid brain development
- Increased mobility
- Emotional development
- Separation awareness
- Changes to nap schedules
All of this can together lead to bold baby sleep regression in a 12 month old toddler, as night waking becomes common.
1. Have a Consistent Toddler Sleep Routine (12–15 Months)
Every child will go through a sleep cycle, but the time of each cycle will change. A sleep schedule should remain the same so your toddler can anticipate and feel secure.
A simple routine might include:
🛁 Warm bubble bath
📘 One to two short stories
🤗 Gentle cuddles and rocking
🌙 Low lights
Consistency trumps perfection.
2. Determine an Age-Appropriate Toddler Sleep Schedule 12–15 Months
A typical toddler sleep schedule 12–15 months should be:
- Total sleep: 12 to 14 hours a day
- Daytime sleep: 1 to 2 naps totaling 2 to 3 hours
- Wake Window: 3 to 4 hours
Overtired babies tend to have more bold toddler night wakings and struggle to self-soothe.
3. Focus On Reducing Toddler Night Wakings With Gentle Support
To reduce toddler night wakings, focus on:
✔ Comforting without picking them up right away
✔ Limited overstimulating surroundings (no bright lights, avoid loud talking)
✔ Slow teaching of independent self-soothing
✔ Making sure there is no discomfort: Check for teething, a wet diaper, or room temperature
Avoid waking them suddenly as they may be deep asleep. Waking a child during deep sleep can confuse them and worsen the disturbance.
4. Toddler Sleep Mistakes To Avoid
Many parents unintentionally create habits that disrupt sleep. Some of these include:
🚫 Late bedtimes
🚫 Too many snacks in the day
🚫 Staying in bright or noisy areas
🚫 Always rocking them to sleep
🚫 Offering milk multiple times during the night
Avoiding these bold toddler sleep mistakes can make a huge difference.
5. Toddler Sleep and Diet Focus
How well your toddler sleeps is greatly impacted by what they eat as well.
Foods that aid healthful sleep:
🍌 Bananas
🥛 Milk
🍚 Oatmeal
🥕 Soft veggies
🍎 Fruit
Sleep and irritability issues are common concerns with toddlers. Thankfully, toddlers with adequate sleep and nutrition are less irritable and sleep longer stretches. Adjust routines at bedtime or separate sleep times with the following tips.
6. Understand the Toddler Sleep Regression 12 Months
Every bold toddler sleep regression 12 months and the common characteristics are:
- Awakening frequently
- Refusing to take naps
- Needing extra attention
- Having difficulty with sleep
The regressions are temporary; toddlers will adjust to routines with adequate sleep patterns.
7. The Ideal Ring to Sleep Comfortably – Toddler Sleep Environment Tips
Sleep can be improved with your toddler’s environment. Use the following toddler sleep environment tips to optimize your toddler’s daily rest environment:
- Darkened rooms or curtains
- Soft white noise
- Thermostat at 20–22°C
- Safe, cozy bedding
- Low-brightness nightlight if needed
8. Use Gentle Toddler Sleep Aids Only
Consider some gentle toddler sleep aids:
- Soft toys
- Soothing lullabies
- White noise
- Light back massage
Avoid supplements like melatonin without professional consultation.
9. Recognize Toddler Sleep Cues
Look out for toddler sleep cues, as they can be easily missed. Early cues include:
- Rubbing eyes
- Playing with the ear
- Yawning
- Looking away or sudden quietness
To avoid overtiredness, put your toddler to bed at the first sign of sleepiness.
10. Toddler Nap Transition 12 Months
Many toddlers at 12 months will shift from two naps to one.
Signs of the toddler nap transition 12 months:
✔ Shorter naps suddenly
✔ Trouble falling asleep at the second nap
✔ Later bedtime
✔ Becoming extra cranky
Help them by gradually adjusting nap times by 15–20 minutes per day.
11. Understanding Toddler Nap Resistance
If your toddler refuses naps, don’t panic — bold toddler nap resistance is normal.
Tips:
- Keep the room dark
- Offer quiet time even if they won’t sleep
- Reduce stimulation before naps
- Keep nap routines consistent
Is It Night Terror or Overtiredness?
Sometimes deep-sleep agitation resembles night terrors seen in older children.
A study in JAMA Pediatrics found night terrors and sleepwalking are linked to overtiredness and family history (Petit et al., 2015).
Reference:
Petit, D., Pennestri, M-H., Paquet, J., Desautels, A., Zadra, A., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R.E., Boivin, M., & Montplasir, J. (2015). Childhood sleepwalking and sleep terrors: A longitudinal study of prevalence and familial aggregation. JAMA Pediatrics.
