From the Guidelines
A 20-month-old child typically needs one nap per day, lasting about 1-3 hours. At this age, most children have transitioned from two naps to a single midday nap, usually occurring after lunch. This single nap is important as it helps prevent overtiredness, supports brain development, and improves mood and behavior. According to the guidelines for toddlerhood (1–2 years) 1, children in this age group should have 11–14 h of quality sleep, including naps, with consistent sleep and wake-up times.
Key Considerations
- The timing of the nap should align with your child's natural sleepiness cues, typically 5-6 hours after morning wake-up.
- A consistent nap schedule helps regulate your child's internal clock and makes bedtime easier.
- Some children may occasionally need two naps if they're going through a growth spurt or recovering from illness.
- Watch for signs of tiredness like rubbing eyes, becoming clingy, or increased fussiness to determine optimal nap timing.
Sleep Requirements
- The total daily sleep requirement for a 20-month-old is about 11-14 hours, including nighttime sleep and naps, as recommended by pediatric health guidelines 1.
- It's essential to prioritize a consistent sleep schedule and create a sleep-conducive environment to support your child's overall health and well-being.
From the Research
Sleep Recommendations for 20-Month-Old Children
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 1 to 2 years should have 1 to 3 hours of daytime sleep, and 10 to 13 hours of nighttime sleep 2.
- However, there is no specific recommendation for the number of naps a 20-month-old child should take.
- A study on pediatric sleep patterns found that children aged 1 to 3 years obtained a mean of 444 minutes of nighttime sleep, and had a mean of 14 night awakenings 3.
Factors Affecting Sleep in Children
- Environmental factors such as noise and light can affect a child's sleep, with sound events greater than 80 dB and light events greater than 150 lux increasing the risk of waking 3.
- Behavioral management is recommended as the first step for managing insomnia in children, with techniques such as extinction, bedtime fading with positive routines, and scheduled awakening showing significant improvements in sleep-onset latency, night waking frequency, and night waking duration 4.
Sleep Disorders in Children
- Pediatric insomnia is relatively common, with a higher prevalence in children with neurodevelopmental disorders 5.
- Behavioral interventions, such as parent education and positive bedtime routines, have been shown to produce clinically significant improvements in pediatric sleep problems 6.
- A comprehensive sleep history, sleep diary, and sleep screen are useful for diagnosing sleep problems in young children 4.