A 24-month-old’s sleep has come a long way since they were a newborn.
Back then, their sleep was disorganized and sometimes unpredictable. As they have grown, so their sleep needs have changed.
You therefore may have some questions, like “How much should a 24-month-old sleep during the day?” or “Can my 24-month-old sleep through the night ?”
Rest assured, we’re here to answer some of the most common sleep-related questions for 24-month-olds.
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If you haven’t started sleep training yet, now is a great time. You’ll help your baby sleep more, you’ll sleep more, and sleep coaching helps ensure your baby reaches all of their developmental milestones.
To start sleep training, simply download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™. Developed by pediatric sleep experts, this easy-to-use app walks you through the sleep coaching process from start to finish!
A 24-Month-Old Sleep Schedule Example
Here’s a typical schedule for a 24-month-old toddler. Generally, a 24-month-old takes one nap a day and stays awake for 4-5 hours. Remember, each baby is unique, and your baby's sleep schedule may look slightly different. When creating your toddler's unique schedule, focus less on clock time and more on your toddler's wake windows and sleepy cues.
- Wake windows are the amount of time your baby is awake between sleeps.
- Sleepy cues are the signs your baby’s tired, like yawning.
By using these two elements together, you strengthen your toddler's natural sleep rhythm to help them get the nourishing sleep they need to keep growing and developing.
Sample Sleep Schedule for 24-Month-Olds with 1 Nap:
Can a 24-month-old baby sleep through the night?
Yes. A 24-month-old can sleep through the night, most babies are getting all of the calories they need during the day by the age of 9-months so by the age of two they certainly don’t need to wake at night to eat.
If your 24-month old is waking at night it could be for a whole host of reasons, but it’s worth considering revisiting sleep training and the Smart Sleep Coach app is so effective, most users see results in 1 week!
How Many Total Hours Should a 24-Month-Old Sleep Each Day?
A good goal for 24-month-olds is 12.5 hours over a 24-hour period.
How much nighttime sleep for a 24-month-old?
11 hours is a good goal for nighttime sleep for 24-month-olds.
How much daytime sleep for a 24-month-old?
For daytime sleep, aim for at least 90 minutes during one nap, though up to 2 hours and 30 minutes also work. Avoid naps longer than that, though, because this can make falling asleep at night harder and fighting bedtime may lead to overtiredness.
What is a 24-month-old’s wake window?
Most 24-month-olds are awake between 5-and-a-half hours and 6 hours between sleeps. That’s incredible – so much time to bond and play and cuddle!
Is there a 24-month-old sleep regression?
Yes, there’s often a 24-month sleep-regression. As with previous regressions, some causes may include:
- Teething
- Separation anxiety.
- New skills, such as walking.
Luckily this is one of the shorter regressions and typically passes within 1-3 weeks! Next thing you know you’ll be teaching your baby to drive!
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How to Sleep Coach and Travel
As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, your family may travel more, but that’s no reason to give up on sleep coaching. Here’s how to sleep coach while traveling:
Sleep Coaching in the Same Time Zone:
If you’re traveling within the same time zone, simply maintain your typical sleep schedule and bedtime routines.
Sleep Coaching in a New Time Zone:
Time zone travel can complicate sleep coaching, but it doesn’t have to derail it.
If you’re traveling just one time zone forward or back, it may be best to keep your baby’s at-home schedule.
If you’re traveling across multiple time zones:
Begin adjusting your baby to the new time zone before you travel. You do this by adjusting their bedtime forward or back in 15-minute increments for each zone you’re traveling.
Traveling East to West:
If you’re traveling east to west, move your baby’s bedtime back in 15 minutes increments for the number of time zones you’re crossing.
For example, if you’re traveling west across three time zones, move your baby’s bedtime back 15 minutes 3 days before your travel, then 30 minutes 2 days before your travel, and 45 minutes 1 day before your travel.
Traveling West to East:
If you’re traveling west to east, move your baby’s bedtime up in 15 minutes increments for as many days as time zones you’re crossing.
For example, if you’re traveling west to east 2 time zones, move your baby’s bedtime up 15 minutes one night, then 15 minutes the next night.
Despite moving your baby’s bedtime, they may still experience overtiredness while traveling. Sunlight can also help “click” your baby’s sleep schedule, and an extra nap mid-day can work, too.
If you’ve sleep trained your baby, revisiting your sleep training method may also help your baby overcome a travel-related sleep disruption.
How To Cope with a Toddler’s Nightmares:
Some 24-month-olds may experience nightmares that disrupt their sleep: they’ll wake up crying or call out for you in the middle of the night. These incidents can be unsettling for them, and you.
How To Cope with a Toddler’s Night Terrors:
Night terrors are a little different than a nightmare. While nightmares typically happen in the middle of the night, night terrors typically happen earlier in the evening. Symptoms of a night terror include:
- Uncontrollable crying
- Shaking, sweating, hyperventilating
- Terrified eyes
- Thrashing, kicking, screaming, staring into space
- Not recognizing you or places
- Pushes you away
Your baby may appear to be awake during a night terror. Their eyes may be open, and they may appear alert, but they are not awake.
What To Do If Your Baby Has a Night Terror:
Remain calm – remember that this is temporary; panic or fear may increase your baby’s discomfort.
- Do not wake your baby
- If your baby tries to leave their bed, gently keep them there.
- Let a babysitter know if your baby experiences regular night terrors.
How Long Does a Night Terror Last?
An individual night terror incident can last up to 45 minutes, but they tend to be shorter. Even as disturbing as these may be, though, the good news is that your baby is not fully awake and therefore will be easier to settle back down than if they have a nightmare.
Some children will continue to have sporadic night terrors until adolescence.
How to Minimize Your Baby’s Nightmares or Night Terrors:
Unfortunately, there isn’t much any parents can do to completely stop or prevent nightmares or night terrors, but the following tips may help your baby sleep better in general.
Maintain Sleep Schedules: Common triggers for bad dreams include stress and being overtired, both of which can be prevented by keeping up a healthy, age-appropriate sleep schedule.
Calming Routines: Regardless of your baby’s age, a calming routine will help your baby feel safe and secure before bed.
Respond Quickly: We generally advise against checking on your baby if they briefly cry out at night, but if your baby is crying from a nightmare or you know they’re having a nightmare, go in and reassure them.
Note: Do not try to wake your baby if they have a night terror. Simply being present and offering reassurances is enough in that case.
Discuss Their Dream: If your baby remembers their dream and can verbalize what happened, discuss the dream, and explain to them why that situation can’t hurt them.
Night Lights: Night lights can help little ones sleep a little easier.
Can My 24-Month-Old Sleep in a Bed?
The general rule for transitioning your baby from their crib to a toddler or big kid bed is: “Move your baby when they’re 3 feet tall.” If your baby is less than 3 feet, our lead sleep consultant, Mandy Treeby , Chief Pediatric Sleep Consultant for the Smart Sleep Coach App, suggests waiting to move your baby until they’re 3 or 4 years old: “I usually recommend keeping them there until around the age of 3 or 4 when they are better able to comprehend the transition to a big kid bed.”
And for any other sleep-related questions you have, check out the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™. In addition to 1-click sleep tracking that customizes your baby’s sleep schedule, this easy-to-use app is packed with bite-sized articles that explain everything from nap transitions to the witching hour. It’s a game-changer – and a sleep-saver!
