A 20-month-old needs 11 to 14 hours of total sleep per day, including naps. That recommendation comes from guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children ages 1 to 2. Most 20-month-olds get about 9 hours at night and close to 3 hours during the day, though the exact split varies from child to child.
Nighttime and Daytime Sleep Breakdown
By 20 months, most toddlers have settled into one nap per day, typically in the middle of the day. A single nap lasting 60 to 90 minutes is a reasonable expectation, though some children sleep closer to 2 or even 3 hours. The rest of their sleep happens at night in one long stretch, usually around 9 to 11 hours.
If your child is consistently getting less than 11 hours total or more than 14, it’s worth looking at the schedule. Children on the lower end of that range who seem happy, alert, and emotionally steady during the day are likely fine. The total matters more than hitting an exact number.
Wake Windows at 20 Months
Wake windows, the stretches of awake time between sleep periods, are one of the most useful tools for timing naps and bedtime. At 20 months, most children need about 5 to 5.75 hours of awake time before and after their midday nap. A typical pattern looks like this: 5 hours awake in the morning before the nap, then about 5.75 hours awake between the end of the nap and bedtime.
Getting these windows right helps prevent two common problems. Too short a wake window means your child isn’t tired enough to fall asleep easily. Too long and they become overtired, which paradoxically makes it harder to settle down. If your toddler is fighting the nap or taking a long time to fall asleep at night, adjusting the wake window by 15 to 30 minutes in either direction often fixes it.
The 18 to 24 Month Sleep Regression
If your 20-month-old was sleeping well and suddenly isn’t, you’re likely dealing with a sleep regression. The period between 18 and 24 months is a common one for disrupted sleep, and it’s driven by a pile-up of developmental changes happening at once.
Toddlers at this age are gaining physical independence, becoming more communicative, and developing stronger emotional responses. That last piece often shows up as separation anxiety, which can make bedtime feel harder for both of you. New mobility skills (climbing, running, jumping) can leave them restless. Teething, especially the canines and first molars, adds physical discomfort on top of everything else. Some toddlers also start resisting bedtime simply because they’ve discovered they can, testing their growing sense of independence.
Sleep regressions are temporary. They typically last 2 to 6 weeks. The most helpful thing you can do is stay consistent with the routine rather than introducing new sleep habits you’ll need to undo later.
Building a Bedtime Routine That Works
A predictable bedtime routine signals to your toddler’s brain that sleep is coming. The key is keeping it calm and doing the same steps in the same order each night. A bath, a book, quiet music, or a combination of these all work well. Active play right before bed tends to backfire because it winds toddlers up rather than down.
Consistency in timing matters just as much as the routine itself. Putting your child to bed at the same time every night helps set their internal clock. Before you leave the room, take care of the small things they’ll use as reasons to call you back: a drink of water, the right level of light, the door cracked open if that’s what they prefer. A comfort object like a stuffed animal or a favorite blanket is perfectly safe at this age and gives many toddlers something to anchor to when they wake briefly during the night.
Signs Your Toddler Isn’t Sleeping Enough
Toddlers who are consistently under-rested don’t always look sleepy. In younger children, sleep deprivation often shows up as hyperactivity and impulsiveness rather than drowsiness. Other signs to watch for include poor mood regulation (frequent meltdowns that seem disproportionate), low energy during play, difficulty paying attention, and trouble falling asleep despite being tired. Falling asleep on short car rides is another telltale sign, since a well-rested toddler can usually stay awake for a brief drive.
If you’re seeing several of these patterns, the fix is usually straightforward: an earlier bedtime, a more consistent nap, or both. Even shifting bedtime 15 to 30 minutes earlier for a week can make a noticeable difference in daytime behavior.
Crib vs. Toddler Bed at 20 Months
Some 20-month-olds start climbing out of their crib, which raises the question of switching to a toddler bed. Most children make this transition somewhere between 18 months and 3 years. The AAP says a child has outgrown their crib when they’re taller than 35 inches or when the crib railing hits mid-chest while they’re standing.
If your child isn’t climbing out and is still sleeping well, there’s no rush. The crib is a contained, safe sleep environment, and switching too early can create new problems like bedtime wandering. If you do make the switch, childproof the room thoroughly first. Get down to your toddler’s height and look for open electrical sockets, unsecured furniture, cords from drapes or blinds, anything climbable, and unlocked windows. A baby gate at the bedroom door or the top of the stairs adds an extra layer of safety for nighttime explorers.