17 Month Old Sleep Schedule: Bedtime, Naps, and How to Get Your Toddler to Sleep Through the Night
If you use the right 17 month old sleep schedule, your toddler is able to take 2-3-hour naps and sleep through the night for 11-12 hours! Most toddlers this age are taking one nap, sleeping through the night, and are night-weaned completely. This article will share everything you need to know about your 17 month old’s sleep schedule to help them sleep longer and be happier!
In this article:
- How Much Sleep 17 Month Olds Need
- 17 Month Old Sleep Schedule Wake Windows and Awake Time
- Sample 17 Month Old Sleep Schedules
- Why 17 Month Olds Wake Up Too Early
- Why 17 Month Olds Wake Up at Night and Can I Do Sleep Training?
- 17 Month Old Sleep Schedule FAQ
How Much Sleep 17 Month Olds Need
The average 17 month old needs 13-14 hours of sleep per day including 10-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day. At this age, toddlers are sleeping through the night and taking a single 2-3-hour nap.
Of course, some toddlers will need more or less than the average amount of sleep. So, if your toddler is sleeping more or less than the average in a 24-hour period, if they’re happy, it’s likely fine. The best way to know if your toddler is getting enough sleep is to look at their mood, behavior, and other signs of over-tiredness. Although toddler tantrums are common, overtired toddlers tend to have more of them.
17 Month Old Sleep Schedule Wake Windows and Awake Time
17-month wake windows, or awake time, are usually 5 hours both before and after their nap. Some toddlers this age can extend their wake windows to 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.
Children who are sensitive to becoming overtired tend to have shorter wake windows. If you have to choose, it’s usually best to have a shorter wake window before bedtime unless your toddler is shorting their naps.
How Many Naps Should a 17 Month Old Take?
Most 17 month olds have already transitioned to just one nap per day. If your toddler doesn’t seem to be ready for just one nap, that’s okay! Instead, you can use the 14 month old sleep schedule. However, if your toddler is going to bed very late, staying awake for a long period in the middle of the night, and/or waking up too early in the morning, it’s very likely time to drop to one nap! This is true even if they are happily still taking two naps. In other words, if it’s not broken, no need to change it. However, if your schedule is not working for another reason, it’s likely time to transition to one nap.
Should You Wake Your 17 Month Old if Napping Too Long?
There are only a few scenarios that might mean you should wake up your toddler from napping too long:
- If your 17 month old is napping for 2 to 3 hours each day and sleeping through the night: No, you should NOT wake them from their nap.
- If your toddler is waking up too early the next day such as 4 or 5 a.m. and sleeping less than 10 hours: Yes, you may want to wake them up from their long nap. Typically, that’s only necessary if they are napping for longer than 2.5 hours, though! However, if your toddler is sleeping for 10+ hours at night and waking up too early, you might simply want to shift their schedule forward, instead.
- If your toddler is awake in the middle of the night for an hour or longer: We call this “baby insomnia” or a split night. If your toddler is still taking two naps, this is a sign it is probably time to drop a nap (see above). If your toddler is taking just one nap, it might mean they are napping too long during the day though that generally only happens if the nap is 3+ hours.
What Time Should a 17 Month Old Go to Bed?
The most common bedtime for a 17 month old is 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
False starts can occur if you set your toddler’s bedtime earlier than 7:00 PM. In this case, they wake up 30-90 minutes later as if bedtime was a “nap.” If your bedtime is later than 8:00 PM, your toddler could become overtired and this can cause an early-waking problem.
If bedtime is earlier or later than the typical range, and sleep is good in your household, there is no need to change it.
Sample 17 Month Old Sleep Schedules
Getting your 17 month old’s sleep schedule right can help your toddler sleep through the night, nap longer during the day, and be happier, overall. Use these sample schedules to help you find the right one for your unique situation.
Sample 1-Nap Sleep Schedule
In my 15+ years of experience as a sleep consultant, most 17 month olds are on a 1-nap schedule by now. There are a few who are still transitioning to one.
If your child takes a 2.5 to 3-hour nap, they might have a shorter wake window before their nap and bedtime OR they might sleep for 10 hours at night instead of 11-12 hours.
Here is a sample schedule to consider using:
| Time | Wake Window | Activity | Sleep Length |
| 7:00 AM | Wake* | ||
| 12:00 PM | 5 to 5.25 Hours | Nap | 2 to 3 hours |
| 7:30 PM | 5 to 5.25 Hours | Bedtime (Asleep by this time) |
11-12 hours |
* Should You Wake Your Toddler Up In the Morning? We usually don’t have to wake up 17 month olds in the morning unless the schedule is gradually shifting forward. If that’s the case, you may want to always start the day within the same 30-minute window of time. For example, you might start the day between 7:00 and 7:30 AM every day to keep you on track.
Sample 1-Nap Sleep Schedule With Meals
Again, many clients want to know how to fit meals in to set up their toddler for success in sleeping through the night and taking long, luxurious naps. Here’s a typical 1-nap schedule with meals:
| Time | Wake Window | Activity | Sleep Length |
| 7:00 AM | Wake* | ||
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast + Milk | ||
| 9:30 AM | Snack + Milk | ||
| 11:30 AM | Lunch + Milk | ||
| 12:00 PM | 5 to 5.25 Hours | Nap | 2 to 3 hours |
| 3:30 PM | Big Snack + Milk (Second Lunch) |
||
| 5:30 PM | Small Snack (if necessary) |
||
| 6:30 PM | Dinner + Milk | ||
| 7:30 PM | 5 to 5.25 Hours | Bedtime (Asleep by this time) |
11 to 12 hours |
* Should You Wake Your Toddler Up In the Morning? We usually don’t have to wake up 17 month olds in the morning unless the schedule is gradually shifting forward. If that’s the case, you may want to always start the day within the same 30-minute window of time. For example, you might start the day between 7:00 and 7:30 AM every day to keep you on track.
Download the sample schedule below by clicking on it and then right-clicking:
Sample Toddler Schedules By Month For All Ages
Did you know we have sample toddler schedules by month for all ages? Check it out!
Why Some 17 Month Olds Wake Up Too Early
Most 17 month olds wake up between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. If your toddler is waking up before 6:00 AM, here are the common reasons:
- Overtiredness at Bedtime – The #1 reason for a toddler waking up too early in the morning is due to being overtired at bedtime. If this is a possibility, simply shorten the wake window right before bedtime.
- Hunger – Offering dinner too early (e.g. 4:30 or 5:00 PM), is a common reason for waking up too early, too. Ideally, dinner will be no earlier than 6:00 PM, if possible. While some toddlers can go 13 hours without eating, some toddlers simply can’t.
- Sunrise – We are meant to rise with the sun and go to sleep with the sunset. Unnatural light has made all of our bedtimes later than natural. Children who are sensitive to light could wake up too early when the sun starts to shine through their windows. Consider room-darkening shades, blinds, or curtains.
- Schedule Change – If you are still giving your 17 month old two naps, it’s probably time to drop one.
Although there are a few other reasons your toddler could be waking up too early, these are the most common culprits.
Why Some 17 Month Olds Wake Up at Night and Can You Do Sleep Training?
There could be many reasons causing your toddler to wake up at night. While you can do sleep training, that does NOT fix every cause. Be sure to solve the right problem and check out our article Top 15 Reasons Your Baby Is Waking at Night.
17 Month Old Sleep Schedule FAQ
A 17 month old should nap for 2 to 3 hours total every day.
Most 17 month olds take just one nap though a small percentage are still taking two naps.
Daytime sleep for a 17 month old should total 2 to 3 hours.
Wake windows for 17 month olds are usually 5 to 5.25 hours before and after their nap.
A typical bedtime for a 17 month old is between 7:00 to 8:00 PM. A bedtime that is too early can cause false starts, waking up at night, and waking up too early the next day.
The most likely reason your 17 month old is waking up crying every night is that bedtime is too late. Move bedtime earlier by 20-30 minutes to see if it improves. If that doesn’t help, nighttime hunger sometimes creeps back into the picture at this age. Make sure your toddler is eating three solid meals, 2-3 snacks, and drinking at least 16-20 oz of milk with at least 8 grams of protein in it.
No, most 17 month olds should still sleep in a crib. The average age to transition from crib to toddler bed is 3 to 4 years old. Be sure to read When and How to Transition from Crib to Toddler Bed.
No, there is typically NOT a 17 month sleep regression, however, some toddlers will start the 18 month old sleep regression early.
There could be many reasons your toddler is waking up at night. While you can do sleep training, that doesn’t fix every reason. Solve the right problem! And, be sure to check out our article Top 15 Reasons Your Baby Is Waking at Night.
Toddlers should drink 16-20 oz of milk per day until they are 5 years old according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although cow’s milk is the most common, there are many options nowadays. The type of milk you offer should have a minimum of 8 grams of protein per serving. So, be careful about milk substitutes and the amount of sugar.
Generally, you should NOT need to give your child under 3 years old melatonin. Instead, please simply put them on the right schedule! If you aren’t sure what the problem is, be sure to reach out to get help.
Yes, most 17 month old still need to take a nap and it IS too early to stop napping. There isn’t a set age for children to stop napping, however, most toddlers need to take at least one nap until 3 to 4 years old, on average.
The post 17 Month Old Sleep Schedule: Bedtime, Naps, and How to Get Your Toddler to Sleep Through the Night appeared first on The Baby Sleep Site – Baby / Toddler Sleep Consultants.
