Blissed Out BabiesBlissed Out Babies
If you’ve ever searched “how much should my toddler sleep?” and ended up even more confused, you’re definitely not alone!
Numbers online vary wildly, and your toddler never seems to read the same books.
At Blissed Out Babies, we believe it helps to know realistic, research‑based ranges, but without chasing perfection. Gentle parenting isn’t about forcing more sleep, but about understanding your child’s natural rhythm and working with it.
By toddlerhood, most children have already settled into roughly how much sleep they truly need. But when they sleep can still change, depending on:
✨ Growth and brain development
Big cognitive leaps, teething, or illness can temporarily increase sleep need (Spencer et al., 2020). But these phases don’t usually add hours over the long term.
🧠 Temperament & daily activity
Busy, energetic toddlers might keep the same total sleep but need help winding down in the evening. Highly sensitive toddlers may need quieter afternoons to protect nap time.
Here’s a gentle guide based on research and real‑world experience:
| Age | Total sleep (24h) | Typical overnight | Nap(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–18 months | 12–14 hours | ~10–11 hours | 1–2 naps (up to ~2 hours total) |
| 18–24 months | 11–13 hours | ~10–11 hours | Usually 1 nap (up to ~1.5 hours) |
| 2–3 years | 11–13 hours | ~10–11 hours | Often 1 nap, starting to shorten |
| 3–4 years | 10–13 hours | ~10–11 hours | Some drop nap, some keep it |
💡 Many toddlers naturally sleep about 10–11 hours at night, plus a nap. That isn’t “bad” sleep, it’s completely normal.
Rather than focusing only on hours, notice how your toddler seems day‑to‑day:
– Frequent late‑afternoon meltdowns
– Seeming “wired” or giddy at bedtime
– Falling asleep in the car outside nap time or struggling to wake in the morning
– Waking before 6am
– A sudden increase in the frequency or duration of night wakes
– They are napping for 2.5 hours or more
Parenting a toddler can feel relentless – especially when every nap, bedtime or boundary turns into a battle. Maybe you’ve read all the blogs, tried every tip, but nothing seems to stick. You’re tired, frustrated, and just want someone to tell you what will actually work for your child.
That’s where my Troubleshooting Call comes in. What’s included:
By the end of the call, you’ll walk away with:
💡 Fresh insight into why things aren’t working right now.
💡 Confidence in your plan and the reassurance that it aligns with your gentle parenting values.
💡Reassurance that you’re not doing anything “wrong”, and clear steps you can implement straight away.
💡 Realistic, achievable strategies you can start using tonight.
You don’t need to feel stuck in survival mode.
Book your troubleshooting call today, and let’s find a calmer, more settled rhythm for your toddler (and for you).
By the toddler years, total daily sleep need is largely set by biology and temperament.
Trying to force more, like moving bedtime super‑early or insisting on longer naps, often backfires: earlier wake‑ups, bedtime battles, or overtiredness.
It’s usually gentler (and more effective) to redistribute the sleep your toddler already needs to fit better with family life.
✅ Don’t expect them to sleep 12 hours overnight
Most toddlers naturally do ~10–11 hours overnight, especially if they still nap.
✅ Be realistic about a 2‑hour nap
For some toddlers, a long nap helps; for others, it pushes bedtime too late or shortens night sleep. Try gently shortening the nap if evenings feel tricky.
✅ Don’t assume dropping the nap will fix bedtime
Often, it just creates overtiredness, leading to harder bedtimes and more night waking. Many toddlers benefit from a nap or quiet time well into age 3 or 4.
Consider speaking with a GP if:
– Your toddler consistently sleeps far below typical ranges and seems chronically overtired
– You notice loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or big mood changes linked to poor sleep
Or book your free sleep action plan call with Jem if:
– You feel stuck in an exhausting cycle despite gentle routine tweaks
– Bedtimes feel chaotic
– You’ve read the whole of the internet and have tried everything but nothing seems to stick.
Is 10 hours overnight enough for a 2‑year‑old?
Often, yes. Especially with a nap of around 1–2 hours. Many healthy toddlers naturally do ~10–11 hours overnight.
What if my toddler fights bedtime even when tired?
Bedtime could be too late (overtired) or too early (not sleepy yet). Try shifting bedtime slightly earlier or later by 15 minutes to see what helps.
Do growth spurts increase sleep needs?
Temporarily, yes. You might see slightly longer naps or earlier wake‑ups. But total daily sleep need usually doesn’t change dramatically.
I have always been interested in gentle parenting techniques, and as a self confessed ‘geek’ I spent many a sleepless night reading. I became so interested in infant brain development and the science of sleep that I completed my Holistic Sleep Coaching qualification, mentored by the wonderful Lyndsey Hookway. I have been working as a toddler sleep consultant since 2018, I am based in Manchester but I can work with you from anywhere in the world online!
This coupled with my experience in settling techniques, toddler negotiation strategies and analysis of naps and sleep needs gives me a wealth of knowledge to be able help you.
If you’re looking for help with making changes to your family’s sleeping habits and would like to speak to a toddler sleep consultant who is down to earth and sympathetic and will focus on you and your family with empathy and understanding then please get in touch.
I would love to hear from you!
Jem x
Click here to book a free chat with Jem to discuss sleep packages and ensure we are a good fit. There is no obligation and I will only take clients where I genuinely feel I can change their lives.
I have three simple toddler sleep support packages, Read more about them here.
Yes! You can check out my free sleep resources here.
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