15-18 month sleep routine: naps, schedules
and what to expect

Sleeping four month old baby lying on their back

If your toddler was coping well with sleep and has suddenly started refusing naps, fighting bedtime, or waking more overnight, you are not imagining it. The 15 to 18 month sleep regression is one of the most talked-about stages in toddlerhood, and for good reason.

Between fifteen and eighteen months, toddlers go through a period of rapid emotional, physical, and neurological development. Sleep needs are shifting, the nap transition is either underway or just completed, and separation anxiety often peaks again right in the middle of it all.

This stage is hard. It is also completely normal, and with the right routine support, sleep does settle again.

What does sleep look like between 15 and 18 months?

At this age, most toddlers are either in the final stages of moving from two naps to one, or already settled on one nap. Some children, particularly closer to fifteen months, still cope well with two naps. Others clearly cannot fit two sleeps into the day without it pushing bedtime late or disrupting overnight sleep.

Sleep can feel inconsistent during this window, especially when your toddler is straddling nap structures. Nap resistance, boundary testing at bedtime, and overnight waking are all common, and they are usually linked to emotional development rather than a sleep problem.

How much sleep does a 15 to 18 month old need?

Most toddlers in this age bracket need around 11 to 14 hours of total sleep across a twenty-four hour period. This includes their daytime sleep and consolidated overnight sleep.

Day sleep may look like two shorter naps for some children early in this stage, or one longer nap once the transition is complete. There is a wide range of normal here, and sleep needs can vary significantly from one child to the next. Even at this older age, ensuring a clear and safe sleep environment aligned with general health principles from Red Nose Australia, the Lullaby Trust (UK), and the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) helps prevent overnight safety issues as your toddler becomes more mobile and climbs.

How many naps at 15 to 18 months?

This age range is where most children complete the transition from two naps to one. While some children have already made the move before fifteen months, others take a little longer to adjust.

Signs your toddler may be ready to drop to one nap include consistently refusing one of their naps, managing longer awake periods comfortably, taking one longer nap when given the opportunity, or bedtime becoming very late or very difficult on two naps.

Once these signs appear consistently over a few weeks, moving to one nap usually improves both day sleep and nights fairly quickly.

  • Consistently refusing one nap

  • Managing long awake periods comfortably

  • Taking one longer nap

  • Bedtime becoming very late or difficult on two naps

Once these signs are consistent over a few weeks, moving to one nap usually improves both day sleep and nights.

What can a 15-18 month day look like?

Because this stage overlaps with the final nap transition, routines can vary depending on where your toddler is at.

Two-nap routines

Some toddlers still cope best with two naps early in this stage.

Medium / medium example

Or even the below if they are very close to their transition

One-nap routine (most common by 15-18 months)

Many toddlers are well and truly ready for one nap during this window. A typical routine looks like:

Some toddlers may cope better with a slightly earlier bedtime initially while adjusting to longer awake periods.

These routines are examples only and should be used as guides rather than strict schedules. Readiness for one nap is based on consistent patterns over time, not a few difficult days.

Common sleep challenges at 15- 18 months

Sleep challenges during this stage often include nap refusal, early rising, overnight waking, and bedtime battles. These are commonly linked to:

Sleep is rarely “broken” at this age - it is usually evolving.

Supporting sleep between 15-18 months

  • Keep routines predictable and consistent

  • Hold clear boundaries around sleep while offering reassurance

  • Expect resistance during transitions and developmental phases

  • Avoid switching between nap structures too frequently

  • Make changes gradually and give them time to settle

Consistency and confidence are key during this stage.

Looking ahead

As your toddler moves beyond eighteen months, sleep continues to evolve alongside growing independence, emotional regulation, and boundary testing. The 18 month sleep regression is a common next hurdle, followed by the 2 year sleep regression as toddlers approach their second birthday.

The Sleepy Little Bubs Infant and Toddler Bundle provides long-term support through this stage and beyond, covering regressions, nap transitions, bedtime struggles, and toddler sleep challenges as they arise, so you are never left working it out alone.

Need help with your toddler's sleep schedule?

If your baby’s sleep has suddenly changed and you’re not sure what to tweak, a 30-minute sleep chat is the perfect next step.

30-minute sleep consultation – a focused session where we will look at what’s happening for your baby right now, including naps, night wakes, feeding, routine and settling, then give you clear, practical guidance so you know what to do next.

This is ideal if you want personalised support without committing to a full sleep package. Sleepy Little Bubs is based in Melbourne and offers virtual sleep consultations across Australia and worldwide, with in-home sleep support available in Melbourne and surrounding areas.

Whether you need quick clarity or more structured support, we can help you find the right next step.

Certified paediatric sleep consultant Eva Beke with her children.

Eva Beke

Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant

Founder The Sleepy Little Bubs

I’m Eva Beke, a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant and founder of The Sleepy Little Bubs, supporting families across Australia and the world with evidence based baby and toddler sleep support.

My approach is realistic, supportive, and designed to evolve as your child grows, so you’re not just getting help for today, but confidence moving forward.

The Smarter Way to Invest in Better Sleep

Supporting sleep doesn’t have to mean starting over every time something changes.


Our sleep courses are built to support you long term, with age specific guidance that adapts as your child grows. From early routines and regressions to nap transitions and toddler sleep challenges, you’ll have a clear plan and ongoing support so you can respond with confidence at every stage.

Infant

5-24 Months

Toddler

2-4 Years

© Copyright The Sleepy Little Bubs All Rights Reserved.