15 Month Old Sleep Schedule: Your Guide To Perfect Zzz

Author Image By Paula McLaren - Norland Nurse NNEB RSH •  Updated: 09/21/23 •  Sleep / Sleep Schedules

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?

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:

15 Month Old Sleep Schedule Sample

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:

Nap Schedule For A 15 Month Old Baby

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. 

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:

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.

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:

Fisher-Price Soothe 'n Snuggle Plush Otter

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!

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My Top Pick
Toddler Night Light Lamp By LICKLIP

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!)

Pros:
  • 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.
Cons:
  • 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.
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Scandiborn - Kids Concept - Stacking Rings

Scandiborn does quite a few stacking toys all of which are great but I especially like this one and like the fact that it has a bendable stacking stick to make it easier and safer to use.

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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:

15 Month Old Sleep Schedule Featured

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. 

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:

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:

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!

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Author Image Bio
Paula McLaren is the founder of Teething to Tantrums and a highly qualified childcare expert with over 40 years of experience as a Norland Nanny. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Development & Learning (0-6 Years) and the prestigious Norland Diploma. Paula has worked as a night nanny, run a successful daycare center in London, and helped raise countless children using her tried and tested developmental and guidance methods.

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