Are you looking for a way to start your 1 year old on a sleep schedule? This post will show you exactly what to do and an easy bedtime routine!
When our first born was a baby, we didn’t follow any sort of sleep schedule with him. As a result, he was an absolute HORRIBlE sleeper!
None of us got much sleep that first year.
It wasn’t until he turned 1 year old that we realized we should follow a daily routine and sleep schedule.
Once we started following a bedtime and nap routine, he began sleeping really well at night and even took longer naps during the day.
He was finally getting the sleep he needed and so were we!
When we had our second born, I had already started following a daily schedule as as stay at home mom that was working out really well.
So I knew I wanted to follow a routine with the new baby too.
That’s why I read the book Babywise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep.
It was a game changer!
Our baby slept so well. When I told people that she was sleeping 9-10 hours at night at only 4 months old, they were shocked.
But it was true and she was such a happy and content baby.
Having her on a routine made all the difference. So we have continued to follow a sleep schedule at 1 year old, and she sleeps really well.
I wrote my Babywise review, so be sure to check that out.
How to get your 1 year old on a sleep schedule.
Before you jump right into a schedule, take some time to think about what you want to be a part of your child’s nap and bedtime.
Also, think about how many hours of sleep your 1 year old needs, typically 12-14 hours.
If you have a younger 1 year old between 12-18 months, they’ll probably still need 2 daily naps.
But if your 1 year old is between 18-23 months, your 1 year old will probably only need 1 afternoon nap.
- How many hours of sleep does your child need?
- Does your 1 year old need one or two naps?
- What is your 1 year old’s bedtime?
- What do you want to include in nap and bedtime routines?
After you have answered these questions, you’ll be ready to write down your routine and follow through with it.
You’ll also want to make sure you have your mom morning routine figured out.
One of the best ways to start a sleep schedule is to simply start with a consistent bedtime. Have a pre determined bedtime for your 1 year old.
Be sure to stick with the same bedtime each night. It will also help if you go to bed at a consistent time.
Once a bedtime is established, start having a consistent wake up time each morning. Then move on to establishing consistent nap times.
It will take some time to get used to, but within a week, you’ll see that your 1 year old understands the bedtime routine, and that it is time to go to sleep.
You will be SO thankful you followed through with a nap schedule and bedtime!
1 year old sleep schedule with 2 naps
7:00 A.M. – Wakes up for the day
9:30-11:00 – Morning Nap
1:30-3:00 P.M. – Afternoon nap
7:30 P.M. – Start bedtime routine
8:00 P.M. – Baby is sleeping
1 year old sleep schedule with 1 nap
7:00 A.M. – Wakes up for the day.
1-3:00 P.M. – Afternoon nap
7:30 P.M. – Start bedtime routine
8:00 P.M. – Baby is sleeping
1 Year Old Bedtime Routine
7:30 – Pick up toys together, take a bath, brush teeth
7:45 – Read a book, pray, or sing a song, say “Good night. I love you.”
8:00 – Lay 1 year old down in the crib awake (but drowsy)
1 Year Old Bedtime Routine Tips
- Use a bedtime routine chart
- Read a book to settle them down and have a few snuggles
- Get room darkening curtains (affiliate link)
- Use a sound machine (affiliate link)
- Have a nighttime song that you always sing when they go to sleep
- Talk in quiet voices to signal that it’s time to sleep
- Lay down one year old awake but drowsy
Here are toddler bedtime routine charts for girls and a routine chart for boys both available on Etsy.
All of these tips will help your toddler sleep better at night, and YOU will too!
Want to know what to do with your toddler all day at home? Here are 9 things my toddler and I do every day!
Want some 1 year old food ideas inspiration? Here are over 75 foods you can feed your 1 year old!
Overwhelmed at home? Have a clean house, dinner on the table, and family time with the free BALANCED MOM CHECKLIST!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
16 thoughts on “Bedtime Routine for 1 Year Old: Sleep Schedule for 1 Year Old”
great post! our youngest is 11 months old and we don't have a routine yet.
Thanks! Yeah, I didn't really see the need until my son turned one, but I know every baby is different. If we have another, I may start a routine at a younger age. We'll see!
I so need to get a routine for bed time. Since we started homeschooling a year ago, it's more fluid but slowly has turned into longer days. How long does he sleep for?
Hi Nermari, he sleeps for 11.5 -12 hours at night, and he takes two 1 -1.5 hour naps a day. Before doing the routine, he would only sleep about 10 hours at night, and took several cat naps throughout the day. It has really helped and gives me a little more free time in the evenings!
Great post! I've grateful I established a routine especially now that my little guy is two years old and he resists sleeping but because we are very consistent, he knows what to expect. Stopping by from the Manic Monday Blog Hop.
Thanks for stopping by, Erin! Yes, I have learned that I need to be consistent and put him to bed at the same time each night in order for the bedtime routine to really work. I'm hoping it will pay off as he gets older too!
Very similar to my kids' bedtime routine. 🙂 I love having a routine because after we finish, they know it's sleepy time and go straight to sleep.
That is great! I think it is so good for kids to know what to expect each night, and it is easier on the parents too. 🙂
Yes, routines are great! We start winding down at 7:30/45, pick up toys, then change into pjs, brush teeth, pray together, and read a book/Bible story. Then, they're in bed by 8/8:15. It's been a little more difficult this summer because they're starting to get old enough (almost 4 and 2.5 yrs) where they're confused because it's still very sunny out at 8pm! But you're right that being consistent with your routine will really help! Thanks for sharing this with us for Tuesday Talk! 🙂 -Jess
Sweet Little Ones
I like the idea of reading a Bible story before bed! We don't have any children's Bible stories, so I'll have to be on the lookout for some. Going to bed when it is still sunny out never seems right. 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for the reminders. Our third is 14 months old. We have a simple routine and it helps.
Routines are great! They really make a difference.
Great routine! Especially the snuggle time 🙂 We always found that bedtime routines helped our kids too. Thanks for sharing at the Manic Mondays blog hop!
Thanks, Meredith! Yes, we have to get snuggle time in! I enjoyed linking up and finding some other great posts and bloggers at the blog hop.
Do you use white noise machine since the newborn or you’re using it again? I’m following Susan Urban’s directions on baby sleep and I’ve stopped using the machine around 6 months but now, at 12 months regression I’m supposed to use it again (according to her book: https://www.parental-love.com/shop/toddler-sleep-training ).
I’m not familiar with that book, but yes, we use white noise machines for all ages. It works well for the whole family!