The 14-month-old marks a toddlerhood stage characterized by intense physical and cognitive leaps, requiring structured sleep to support this rapid development. This period often involves changes in sleep patterns, making consistent information about duration and routine valuable for parents.
Total Sleep Requirements
The general recommendation for children between one and two years of age is a total of 11 to 14 hours of sleep within a 24-hour cycle. This range is endorsed by professional bodies like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Individual needs can vary, but the goal is to ensure a child’s mood and behavior during awake periods indicate they are well-rested. This total duration is typically divided into a long stretch of nighttime sleep and one or two shorter naps during the day, with most 14-month-olds requiring 10 to 12 hours of sleep at night. The remaining 2 to 3 hours are generally accumulated during daytime naps.
Daily Schedule and the Nap Transition
At 14 months, many children are in the midst of a transition from a two-nap schedule to a single, consolidated nap. Whether a child needs one nap or two depends largely on the maximum duration they can comfortably stay awake, known as their wake window. For a toddler still taking two naps, wake windows usually range between three and four hours before they begin to show signs of tiredness. If a child has transitioned to one nap, the wake windows must extend to approximately four to six hours to prevent them from becoming overtired before their single nap.
Parents can look for signs indicating the time to drop the morning nap has arrived. These indicators include consistently resisting the first nap, taking a very short second nap, or experiencing frequent night wakings or early morning wake-ups. Pushing the first nap later in the day, often aiming for a midday start, helps consolidate the daytime rest into a longer, more restorative single nap.
Establishing Consistent Sleep Routines
A predictable routine signals to a toddler’s brain that the time for rest is approaching, promoting the release of sleep hormones like melatonin. A bedtime routine should be kept consistent, following a calm sequence such as a bath, a quiet story, and a final cuddle before placing the child in the crib or bed. Maintaining this sequence every night, regardless of caregiver, reinforces the association between the routine and sleep.
The sleep environment itself plays a large part in encouraging consolidated rest. The room should be made as dark as possible, ideally using blackout curtains to block light that can disrupt the circadian rhythm, especially during early morning hours. An optimal room temperature, often between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius), supports the body’s natural drop in core temperature associated with sleep onset. Continuous white noise can also be used to mask household or street sounds that might otherwise cause a sudden waking.
At this age, developmental milestones often lead to a peak in separation anxiety, which can cause night wakings. When responding to these wakings, it is helpful to offer brief, calm reassurance without initiating lengthy interaction or bringing the child into the parent’s bed. Introducing a comfort object, like a small blanket or stuffed animal, can provide a sense of security and help the toddler self-soothe back to sleep.
Recognizing Signs of Inadequate Sleep
Observing a 14-month-old’s behavior during their awake periods can be a clear way to assess if they are receiving the appropriate amount of sleep. A child who is not getting enough sleep often exhibits signs of being “wired” or hyperactive, which is the body’s reaction to produce stimulating hormones like cortisol to fight off tiredness. This can result in a frantic energy that parents sometimes mistake for not being tired enough.
Common behavioral indicators of insufficient rest include frequent, intense meltdowns or tantrums, increased clinginess, and general moodiness. In terms of sleep patterns, a child who is chronically overtired may struggle to settle down for naps and bedtime. Frequent night waking or waking before 6:00 AM, known as early rising, can also be an indication that the child’s schedule is not meeting their overall sleep requirements.