Is it normal for my 1-year-old to suddenly wake at night again?

Yes, more night waking around 12 months is common and often called a sleep regression. It frequently overlaps with new skills and the move toward fewer naps. It usually settles on its own within a few weeks if you keep routines steady. If waking is severe, lasts a long time, or you are worried, talk with your pediatrician.

Should my 1-year-old be on one nap or two?

Many 12-month-olds still take two naps, and most shift to one nap somewhere between 12 and 18 months. There is no single right age, since children vary. Follow your child's cues, such as consistently skipping a nap or bedtime getting harder. Your pediatrician can help if the transition is making your child overtired.

How much total sleep does a 1-year-old need?

The AAP gives a general range of about 11-14 hours of total sleep per 24 hours for ages 1-2, including naps. This is a range, not a fixed number, and some children need a bit more or less. A good sign is that your child wakes reasonably rested and gets through the day without being overtired. Your pediatrician can review your child's individual needs.

Sleep · 12 months

1-year-old sleep: naps & the 12-month regression

At 12 months most children need about 11-14 hours of total sleep across a day, including naps, according to AAP guidance. Many are still taking two naps, with a gradual move toward one nap usually happening sometime between 12 and 18 months. Around this age you may notice more night waking or nap resistance, often called a sleep regression. It is common, usually temporary, and your pediatrician can help if it does not settle.

3 min read Sleep Updated June 2026

How much sleep a 1-year-old needs

The AAP describes a general range of about 11-14 hours of total sleep per 24 hours for children in the 1-2 year range, counting both nighttime sleep and naps. Most of this comes at night, with the rest filled in by daytime naps.

These are ranges, not targets. Some children do well at the lower end and others need more. What matters most is that your child wakes reasonably rested, handles the day without being overtired, and follows a pattern that is fairly steady over time. If you are unsure whether your child is getting enough, your pediatrician can help you look at the whole picture.

Naps at 12 months: two naps moving to one

At 12 months many children still take two naps a day, a shorter morning nap and a longer afternoon nap. Over the coming months the morning nap usually gets harder to fall into, and most children move to a single midday nap somewhere between 12 and 18 months. There is no fixed date for this, and children vary widely.

You do not need to force the change. Watch how your child responds rather than the calendar.

Fights or skips the morning nap several days in a row
Takes a long time to fall asleep at one of the naps
Bedtime gets later or harder when both naps still happen
Wakes earlier in the morning than usual over a stretch of days

The 12-month sleep regression

A sleep regression is a stretch where a child who was sleeping fairly well starts waking more at night, resisting naps, or fighting bedtime. Around the first birthday this often lines up with new skills like pulling up, cruising, or first words, plus the nap transition itself. It is common and usually passes on its own.

The most helpful response is to keep things steady. A predictable, calming wind-down and consistent sleep times give your child clear cues. Avoid starting new habits during the rough patch that you do not want to keep, since they can be hard to undo once sleep settles again.

Safe sleep and a simple routine

Keep following safe sleep basics. The AAP advises placing your child on the back to sleep and using a firm, flat sleep surface. Continue to keep soft objects, loose bedding, and pillow-like items out of the sleep area at this age.

A short, repeatable bedtime routine helps signal that sleep is coming. Many families use a few quiet steps such as a bath, pajamas, brushing teeth, and a book or two, then lights out at a consistent time. Doing the same steps in the same order each night gives your child something to recognize.

Quick answers

Is it normal for my 1-year-old to suddenly wake at night again?: Yes, more night waking around 12 months is common and often called a sleep regression. It frequently overlaps with new skills and the move toward fewer naps. It usually settles on its own within a few weeks if you keep routines steady. If waking is severe, lasts a long time, or you are worried, talk with your pediatrician.
Should my 1-year-old be on one nap or two?: Many 12-month-olds still take two naps, and most shift to one nap somewhere between 12 and 18 months. There is no single right age, since children vary. Follow your child's cues, such as consistently skipping a nap or bedtime getting harder. Your pediatrician can help if the transition is making your child overtired.
How much total sleep does a 1-year-old need?: The AAP gives a general range of about 11-14 hours of total sleep per 24 hours for ages 1-2, including naps. This is a range, not a fixed number, and some children need a bit more or less. A good sign is that your child wakes reasonably rested and gets through the day without being overtired. Your pediatrician can review your child's individual needs.

Sources & further reading

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This article was written against current AAP, CDC, and WHO guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For medical concerns, always consult a qualified healthcare provider.