How Long Does the Average 16-Month-Old Sleep?

While newborns may seem to sleep and sleep, toddlers start to sleep less and less as they get older, and it starts to become harder to put them to bed. A 16-month-old is at a transitional sleep phase, with changing nap patterns and developmental milestones that can disrupt sleep. Learning what to expect when it comes to sleep can help you to meet the needs of your little one.

  1. Guidelines for Sleep

    • Every child is different and has different needs for sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. At 16 months old, your toddler may still be taking two naps per day. However, by 18 months, your toddler is likely to have dropped to only one nap per day, if he hasn't done so already. Typically, the nap lasts for a couple of hours, with the remainder of sleep occurring at night. However, these are only guidelines, and they could vary for your child.

    Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits

    • It's important to help your child get the sleep he needs by helping him to establish some healthy sleep habits. Make bedtime a special time by creating a routine. The routine should be simple and relatively quick, including activities such as a bath, a cuddle and story time. Create a soothing environment with aids like blackout curtains or a white-noise machine. By creating a consistent routine and making bedtime a pleasant experience, you can help your toddler view sleep as a time to look forward to.

    Obstacles to Sleep

    • There are many reasons why your 16-month-old may experience disruptions in sleep or may resist sleeping. Developmental changes include major advances in verbal and cognitive ability, which can cause your little one to become restless or feel too excited to sleep. Toddlers at this age also experience separation anxiety, which can make it harder for them to fall back to sleep after waking during the night. An independent streak is also developing, which can cause a toddler to resist going to sleep. Recognizing all of these potential obstacles to sleep can help you to guide your toddler through this stage and maintain good sleep habits.

    Sleep and Health

    • When your child doesn't get the sleep he needs each day, it can lead to behavioral issues and health problems in the long term. The University of Michigan Health System says that diminished sleep can lead to a higher risk of your child becoming overweight and cites research from the La Leche League showing that it can also lead to problems regulating emotions, poor relationships with others and attention problems. Ensuring that your toddler gets all the sleep he needs each day can ensure proper emotional and physical development.

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