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Expert Reviewed By - Healthy sleep patterns start with a schedule. Here’s how to get your baby onto a regular 15 month old sleep schedule with top tricks to make it as easy as possible.
How Much Should A 15 Month Old Sleep?
A 15 month old should have 13 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. This will be made up of approximately 11 hours taken at night and the remaining hours taken over 1 to 2 daytime naps.
Sample 15 Month Old Sleep Schedule
By 15 months old, your little one should be sleeping through the night and having between 1 and 2 naps a day (depending on how busy they have been).
However, if they are going through a nap transition then the morning nap will be dropped and the afternoon nap will become longer.
Here is a sample 15 month old sleep schedule to give you a guideline for how your little one’s day can flow regardless of whether they take 1 or 2 naps:
REMEMBER: This 15 month old sleep schedule is only a guideline and will differ from child to child. The most important thing to focus on is how much sleep your little one requires in 24 hours and work from there.
15 Month Old Nap Schedule
You may find that at around 15 months old, your baby may struggle to settle for their morning nap, but will happily take a longer afternoon nap.
This is the beginning of a 15 month old nap transition.
Not every child will go through this yet and most 15 month olds will still require 2 naps a day for the time being.
Here’s a handy quick reference for a 15 month old nap schedule to help you visualise your child’s daytime sleep habits regardless of whether they have 1 or 2 daytime naps:
How Long Should A 15 Month Old Nap?
Your 15 month old will require around 2 hours of nap time during the day. I would not recommend letting your child sleep for longer than 2 hours in the afternoon as this may affect your child’s ability to fall asleep at bedtime.
Is 15 Months Too Early For One Nap?
Some 15 month olds can manage 1 daytime nap but most will still need 2 naps per day to avoid becoming overtired.
As this is a nap transition phase, you will need to keep a keen eye on sleep cues and be prepared to be flexible, by adjusting awake windows and the length and number of naps on a daily basis.
TOP TIP: Always keep in mind how much sleep your little one is getting in a 24-hour period to help you work out how much daytime sleep they need.
How Many Naps For 15 Month Old?
Most 15 month olds will need 2 naps a day… A shorter morning nap and a longer afternoon one.
However, this is the beginning of a nap transition phase from 2 naps to 1 and so be prepared for your little one to show signs of not wanting to nap twice a day, every day.
If your baby does want to drop a nap, you should drop the morning nap first and ensure the afternoon nap is about 2 hours long.
15 Month Old Wake Window
Your 15 month old wake window will continue to get longer and longer. Starting at 5 hours of awake time, they will steadily increase their wake window to 6 hours and may drop to one nap and sleep for longer periods at night until they stop napping completely.
Bedtime For 15 Month Old
As always, a regular and healthy bedtime routine is essential to your baby’s good night’s sleep. And for a 15 month old sleep schedule, your baby’s bedtime routine will consist of:
- Having a calm dinner time,
- Followed by a warm and calm bath,
- Cosying up together with a suitable book,
- Having a feed or drink,
- And finally, settling down to sleep in their crib in a dimly lit room.
The entire bedtime routine should start between 6pm and 6.30pm and ideally, take no longer than 30 minutes.
REMEMBER: The bedtime routine should follow the same steps and be repeated at the same time every evening to ensure your 15 month old can recognise the signs that bedtime is coming to help them settle and fall asleep more easily. You can use a bedtime routine chart to help your little one know what’s coming up.
What Time Should A 15 Month Old Go To Bed?
For a 15 month old sleep schedule, your little one should be in bed with the lights out by 7pm.
If you want to adjust your schedule to make bedtime a little later you must change your daily nap times accordingly.
But no matter what… your child should not be in bed any later than 8pm to ensure your toddler gets enough sleep to support their brain’s growth and development as well as their physical development.
Looking to get your little one to sleep quickly and effortlessly? Check out my Bedtime and Nap Cheat Sheet and master the art of making daytime naps and bedtimes as seamless as possible.
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15 Month Old Sleep Tips
Establishing and maintaining a 15 month old sleep schedule will make your day much easier to manage because after all… Everything starts and ends with sleep!
Here are some of my top sleep tips to make creating and maintaining a 15 month old sleep schedule as simple as possible:
- Get some fresh air every day. Fresh and natural light will help to regulate your baby’s melatonin levels and circadian rhythm. Taking your baby outside every day for a walk or simply sitting in the garden to play on a blanket will definitely help establish a healthy 15 month old sleep schedule.
- Try to avoid overtiredness. As your baby becomes more active and stays awake for longer periods of time to explore and investigate their world it is very easy for them to become overtired, resulting in them fighting sleep. So, watch for sleep cues and ensure your little one has timely daytime naps and a regular bedtime as a part of their 15 month old sleep schedule.
- Encourage falling to sleep independently. If you have not done so already then encouraging your little one to fall asleep independently is now essential. Being able to fall asleep alone will help with bedtime settling and nighttime waking. If your little one is struggling try introducing a cuddly comfort toy to keep them company.
The calming music and sounds combined with the super-soft fabric and rhythmic breathing motion of this otter-ly cuddly pal will help soothe and comfort your little one, at home or wherever you go. Plus, it's even machine washable for when the inevitable spillages and floor drops happen!
- Be consistent with how you treat nighttime waking. As your 15 month old baby is now on a well-established solid diet with 3 meals a day, they do not require feeding at night. Therefore, if your baby wakes at night, wait a while to see if they will resettle and if necessary, go and comfort them without picking them up or talking.
- They may be thirsty? You should also consider that your baby may be thirsty at night. If your baby will not settle, try offering water to drink rather than giving a milk feed. If you haven’t done so already, now is also a good time to transition from baby bottles to cups.
- Introduce a night light. Introducing a night light can help alleviate separation anxiety and help your little one to self-settle. Some white noise machines come with built-in night lights but there are some lovely night lights out there that can also project onto the ceiling.
Finding the right night light for your child can be quite a task. You want something safe, comforting, and practical. The Cozy Starry Night Light ticks these boxes, with eye-friendly warm lighting and an easy-to-use dimmer.
Its gentle glow makes it the best night light for feeding baby, diaper changes, or comforting your little one back to sleep.
As your baby grows the Cozy Starry Night Light's starry sky projection can provide comfort and gentle quiet time stimulation. Its soft lighting ensures a dreamy, peaceful environment, supporting your baby’s natural sleep cycle.
It really is a fantastic nightlight (at a very reasonable price!)
- Eye-friendly warm lighting with adjustable brightness.
- Includes a timer function for convenience.
- Projects a starry sky that is soothing for little ones.
- Rechargeable battery, so it's very portable.
- A USB adapter is not included for charging.
- The star projector is static without motion (however, this is ideal for very young babies and toddlers).
- Battery life varies based on the brightness settings.
- Offer something to play with when your little one wakes early. If your little one is waking early and does not want to go back to sleep keep some toys and books nearby that you can give them to play with while you return to bed for a while. This is a great habit to get into and encourages your baby to play independently when they wake up as they grow.
- Have a regular bedtime routine. I cannot emphasise how important it is to have a consistent bedtime routine. Start the routine at the same time every day and aim to have your baby in bed at the same time each evening.
- No screens AT LEAST 1 hour before bed. Now your baby is a little older you may be tempted to let them play with a screen device. My advice would be to not let this happen at such a young age… BUT if you do decide for your little one to have screen time they should not be on it at least 1 hour before bed as the blue light emitted from screens is proven to disrupt your child’s ability to sleep. Complete simple games with wooden toys or read books together instead.
This delightful wooden stacking rainbow toy from Our Littles Co features a timeless and aesthetically pleasing design, making it a delightful addition to any nursery or playroom decor. Crafted from high-quality, child-safe wood, this stacker toy is designed to withstand hours of play for years to come!
- Lower the energy at the end of the day. By 15 months old, your baby is more aware of what is going on around them and can be more easily distracted… So prepare your baby for sleep by not letting things get too exciting before bedtime. Keep your interactions calm and low-key.
- Watch for signs of nap transition. This is an age where your little one may start to transition from 2 naps to 1. Watch for sleep cues to make sure you get the timing of naps right.
TOP TIP: If your little one is continually resisting nap time try lengthening the wake window between naps before considering dropping a nap. Also, remember that during a nap transition your toddler may need to nap twice on some days but only once on others, depending on how well they have slept at night and how busy their day has been.
Common 15 Month Old Sleep Schedule Problems
The most common sleep problems that your baby may encounter when establishing and maintaining a sleep schedule for 15 month old are:
- Experiencing a late 12 month sleep regression.
- Early morning waking because they are more aware of the light and sounds that surround them or because they went to bed early.
- Restless settling because they are hyper from the day’s activities.
- Fighting sleep because they’re overtired due to the increase in physical activity.
- Crying when away from you due to separation anxiety.
- They are fighting naps and sleep because they’re going through a nap transition.
- Nighttime wakings because they are hungry or cannot self-settle back to sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions About A 15 Month Old Sleep Schedule
Looking for more help with creating your child’s 15 month schedule? Find answers to the most common questions here.
Is 9pm Too Late For Toddler Bedtime?
Yes, 9pm is too late for a 15 month old toddler bedtime.
The bedtime routine is the cornerstone of healthy sleep and you should aim to have your little one in bed by 7pm and certainly no later than 8pm.
TOP TIP: If your toddler is NOT going to bed before 9pm you should take a look at your 15 month old nap schedule and make sure they are not napping too late in the afternoon.
Is There a 15 Month Old Sleep Regression?
Yes and no…
Sleep regressions can occur at any age but there are certain times when they are more likely to happen.
Mainly at 4 months, 6 months, between 8 and 10 months, 12 months old and around 18 months old.
If your toddler’s established sleep patterns are disrupted with them fighting sleep, increased nighttime wakings and restlessness then they are very likely experiencing a short-term 15 month sleep regression.
Read these posts to help you navigate this situation:
- Sleep Regression: What, Why, Signs & Sanity-Saving Solutions
- 15 Month Sleep Regression
- 18 Month Sleep Regression
Is a 3 Hour Nap Too Long For A 15 Month Old?
Usually, a 3 hour nap is too long for a 15 month old. However, if your little one is only taking 1 nap a day then a 3 hour nap after lunch is OK.
Bear in mind that a 15 month old should not nap for more than 3 hours a day so if they have had a morning nap… I would not recommend letting them sleep for more than 2 hours in the afternoon to avoid it impacting bedtime.
Why Is My 15 Month Old Waking At 4am?
If your 15 month old is suddenly consistently waking at 4 am it may be due to a number of reasons:
- Daylight is shining through light and thin curtains. Install black-out blinds to solve the problem.
- They have had too much daytime sleep. Check that your child is not napping for too long or too late into the afternoon.
- They are hungry. Ensure your little one is having a nutrient-rich dinner (with plenty of healthy fats and protein!) and consider a bedtime snack to avoid early morning hunger.
TOP TIP: Finally, try to treat early morning waking as you would any nighttime wakings… Keep interactions low-key and encourage your little one to re-settle. Offer something to play with like a favourite toy or book to keep your child occupied for a short while so you go back to bed for a precious few minutes!
Sleep Schedules Further Reading
Here are some more sleep schedules to help you get the most out of helping your little one sleep as best they can.
After all…
Sleep breeds sleep!
- Newborn Sleep Schedule
- 1 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 2 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 3 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 4 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 5 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 6 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 7 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 8 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 9 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 10 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 11 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 12 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 13 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 14 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 15 Month Sleep Schedule
- 16 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 17 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 18 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 19 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 20 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 21 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 22 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 23 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 2 Year Old Sleep Schedule
- 30 Month Old Sleep Schedule
- 3 Year Old Sleep Schedule
Need More Parenting Help?
- Download our FREE Perfect Sleep Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use and proven formula designed for parents of 0-5 year olds to master the art of consistently undisturbed and restful sleep without the yelling, nagging or exhausting long-winded evenings.
- Check out our Parenting Toolbox. You’ll get access to expertly-chosen products that you can guarantee are the best for your little one and your wallet.
- Are you looking for personalized guidance to navigate the challenges of parenting? My 1-on-1 Consultations offer tailored strategies and actionable advice to help you support your child's growth and well-being with confidence.
A bedtime & nap cheat sheet so good your little one will ask you to put them to bed...
Laura Williams "This is a life saver! I'm so glad I downloaded your bedtime & nap cheat sheet. My little one actually asked me to put him to bed last night! Unbelievable! Thank you so much!"
Click Here For The FREE Cheat Sheet
