How much sleep does a 23-month-old need?

The AAP and CDC recommendation for ages 1–2 is 11–14 hours in 24 hours, the same as the National Sleep Foundation range: about 10–12 hours at night plus a 1–1.5 hour nap.

What wake window does a 23-month-old need?

5.5–6 hours before the nap, 5–5.5 hours after it. As the second birthday nears, total sleep creeps toward the low end of the range — that is normal, not a problem to fix.

Is my 23-month-old about to drop the nap?

Usually not yet — most keep one nap until around 3. The readiness pattern is nap refusal three days a week for two weeks, with an easy bedtime and crash-free afternoons. Our nap transition checker scores it in five questions.

Is there a sleep regression coming for a 23-month-old?

Yes — the 2-year sleep regression, typically between 24 and 30 months, is the next classic window. Sudden night wakes, nap strikes and bedtime refusal are the usual signs; it usually clears in 3–6 weeks.

Monthly schedule · 23 months

23-Month-Old Sleep Schedule

Here is a realistic day for a 23-month-old: wake up around 7:00 AM, one nap at 12:45 PM, then bedtime around 7:30 PM. Wake windows run 5 to 6 hours, and total sleep lands near 11 to 14 hours. Shift any time 15 to 30 minutes to fit your family, consistency beats the exact minute.

Not medical advice. Typical ranges, not targets — ask your pediatrician about your child.

A sample day for a 23-month-old

Wake up

7:00 AM

Nap

5.75 hours awake

12:45 – 2:15 PM

Bedtime

5.25 hours after the nap

7:30 – 8:00 PM

Wake windows: 5 – 6 hours

1 nap

11 – 14 hours (10 – 12 at night + 1 nap)

What’s changing at 23 months

The 2-year regression is around the corner and nap questions resurface. Keep wake windows age-right — about 5.5 hours before the nap and 5–5.5 before bed — so the schedule heads into the 2-year window on solid footing.

Frequently asked questions

How much sleep does a 23-month-old need?: The AAP and CDC recommendation for ages 1–2 is 11–14 hours in 24 hours, the same as the National Sleep Foundation range: about 10–12 hours at night plus a 1–1.5 hour nap.
What wake window does a 23-month-old need?: 5.5–6 hours before the nap, 5–5.5 hours after it. As the second birthday nears, total sleep creeps toward the low end of the range — that is normal, not a problem to fix.
Is my 23-month-old about to drop the nap?: Usually not yet — most keep one nap until around 3. The readiness pattern is nap refusal three days a week for two weeks, with an easy bedtime and crash-free afternoons. Our nap transition checker scores it in five questions.
Is there a sleep regression coming for a 23-month-old?: Yes — the 2-year sleep regression, typically between 24 and 30 months, is the next classic window. Sudden night wakes, nap strikes and bedtime refusal are the usual signs; it usually clears in 3–6 weeks.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CDC sleep guidance for toddlers, plus National Sleep Foundation (NSF) ranges for children aged 1–3. Not medical advice — these are typical ranges, not targets. If you have questions about your child’s sleep or development, ask your pediatrician.