At nineteen months, your toddler is showing more independence as they’re exploring and learning the world around them. The major developmental strides happening during these toddler months often impact sleep. I’m answering the most frequently asked questions about 19 month old sleep schedules, naps, regressions, and more.
The 5–24 Month Collection
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If you need a plan for your 19 month old’s sleep, my 5-24 Month Collection will help. I’ll teach you a customizable, step-by-step plan to achieve 10-12 hours of independent night sleep and restorative naps while remaining emotionally connected. You’ll have the tools you need to conquer any sleep issue with confidence, including developmental progressions, separation anxiety, and more.
Learn MoreWhat are the wake windows for a 19 month old?anchor
For most 19 month olds, wake windows are about 4-6 hours. On a one-nap schedule, the morning wake window is typically longer than the afternoon wake window.
To set up a daily routine for your 19 month old, here’s a guide:
About 5-6 hours after Wake Time = Nap
About 4-5 hours after the end of the Nap = Bedtime
How many naps are best for a 19 month old?anchor
By 19 months, most toddlers have transitioned to one nap. The typical age for the 2 to 1 nap transition is between 13-18 months. If your 19 month old is still taking two naps and sleep is going well, that’s ok! If, however, your toddler is struggling to fall asleep at bedtime, waking in the night, or waking before 6:00 am, know that it’s probably time to transition to one nap.
How long should I let my 19 month old nap? anchor
The goal for total daytime sleep for a 19 month old is 2-3 hours. If your toddler is still sleeping at the 3 hour mark, we’ll want to wake them in order to keep bedtime in the sweet spot of 7:00-8:00 pm and allow for enough active awake time to preserve great night sleep.
If 2-3 hours of daytime sleep sounds like a dream, my Conquering Naps class will teach you how to achieve the restorative daytime sleep your little one needs.
19 Month Sleep Schedule Guidelinesanchor
Every little one is unique and your toddler’s day will depend on when they wake, how long they nap, and individual cues. Try aiming for these age-appropriate guidelines. These are not intended to be a rigid schedule, simply a guide for setting up a flexible routine.
Text version of 19 month sleep guidelines table
| Daytime Feedings: | 3 meals, snacks as needed |
|---|---|
| Goal Daytime Sleep: | 2-3 hours |
| Sweet Spot Bedtime: | 7:00-8:00 pm |
| Number of Naps: | 1 |
| Wake Windows: | 4-6 hours |
For more details on these recommendations, keep reading.
What is a sample sleep schedule for a 19 month old?anchor
Let me share a sample 19 month old sleep schedule with you. This is just one example of what a day may look like based on age-appropriate wake windows, but know that your day may look different depending on when your toddler wakes, how long they nap, and when they eat.
Text version of 19 Month Old Sleep Schedule table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:15 am | Wake |
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 9:20 am | Snack/Nursing (optional) |
| 11:30 am | Lunch |
| 12:00 - 2:30 pm | Nap |
| 2:45 pm | Snack/Nursing (optional) |
| 5:15 pm | Dinner |
| 6:30 pm | Snack/Nursing (optional) |
| 7:00 pm | Bedtime |
Note: If you’re looking for a sample 19 month old sleep schedule with two naps, check out 17 month sleep schedules.
How much sleep does a 19 month old need? anchor
We want to aim for 12-14 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period for a 19 month old. Our goal is 10-12 hours of overnight sleep and 2-3 hours of daytime sleep.
What time should a 19 month old go to bed?anchor
The sweet spot bedtime for a 19 month old is between 7:00-8:00 pm. A bedtime in this range tends to help babies and toddlers fall asleep and stay asleep during the night. I understand that, for some families, bedtime is sometimes outside of this range. If this is your situation and sleep is going well, that’s great! You don’t need to make a change.
Keep in mind that sometimes, a bedtime after 8:00 pm can lead to more disrupted overnight sleep. If bedtime is after 8:00 pm and your 19 month old is having night wakings or early morning wakings, try moving bedtime earlier for a couple weeks to see if it helps.
There are also a few situations when moving bedtime earlier (think 6:00-6:30 pm) can really help overnight sleep. You may want to shift bedtime earlier than 7:00 pm if:
A nap was refused or short
Daytime sleep was less than 2 hours total.
Your 19 month old has been awake for 4 hours and is really having a hard time making it to bedtime, especially if they've recently transitioned to 1 nap or they’re sick.
What are some 19 month old milestones?anchor
These are a few milestones you may see around 19 months:
Walking and running confidently
Climbing stairs or furniture
Eating more independently
Imitating you (or siblings) around the house
Showing a preference for one hand over the other
Keep in mind that these milestones are based on age ranges and every child develops at their own pace, so your little one may reach these before or after 19 months. Check with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your 19 month old’s development.
What are some activities I can do with my 19 month old? anchor
Here are some ideas for ways to engage with your 19 month old:
Explore a local playground or library! Check with your local library or community center to see if they offer free activities for toddlers.
Set up a shallow storage bin with some water, add some small floating objects (like ping pong balls or small plastic blocks) and let your toddler scoop out the objects with measuring cups. (Safety Tip: Be sure to keep a close eye on your toddler with any water-related activity.)
Encourage pretend play using a doll or stuffed animal. This helps develop imagination, social skills, and creativity!
I have some favorite toys for 19 month olds here.
Safety Tip: As your 19 month old is becoming more mobile and craving more independence, it’s a good time to look around your house for any new safety concerns, like cabinets or furniture your toddler may not have been able to reach before. Check to make sure furniture is anchored and door knobs are child proofed.
Is there a 19 month old sleep regression?anchor
It’s possible! We do often see an 18 month sleep regression, but every little one develops at their own pace, so it’s possible this regression may be affecting your toddler at 19 months. Let’s talk about some of the common culprits of disrupted sleep at this age:
Experiencing separation anxiety. This could look like your 19 month old crying when entering their room, standing in the crib in protest, or showing strong preference for one caregiver at bedtime. To help ease separation anxiety at sleep times, practice short periods of intentional separation and play games like Peek-a-Boo.
Learning new skills. You’ll want to give lots of opportunities to practice those skills during awake time as this decreases their motivation to practice during sleep time.
Needing a wake window adjustment. If your 19 month old is on the lower end of the age-appropriate wake window range, gradually add a little more time to each wake window (think 10-15 minutes). Give them a few days to adjust and then reassess. This gradual shift will help avoid overtiredness.
Being ready to drop a nap. If your 19 month old is still taking 2 naps, it may be time to move to one nap.
Being overtired. Being overtired can make it hard for your toddler to fall asleep and stay asleep. If wake windows were recently increased or a nap was recently dropped and your 19 month old is now fighting sleep, try decreasing wake windows a bit to see if this helps.
Please know, any time your baby experiences a sudden change in sleep, we always want to first check for any physical discomfort, like illness or teething (at 19 months, your little one may still be cutting that first set of molars). Once you’re sure that your little one is healthy and comfortable, know that being consistent with your approach to sleep helps to move through a sleep regression quickly. Sleep regressions typically last 1-2 weeks, but letting go of healthy sleep habits during this time can lead to ongoing struggles. Hang in there!
Can I sleep train my 19 month old? anchor
Yes, you can. It’s never too late to have a great sleeper! If you’re ready to sleep train, the 5–24 Month Collection is a fully customizable, holistic plan that will allow you to stay emotionally connected to your little one. I’ll guide you through a step-by-step plan for consolidated nights, solid naps, and managing all the bumps along the way to help you achieve your family’s goals.
Still have an 18 month old? Check out my 18 month sleep schedule. Already have a 20 month old? I've got you covered with my 20 month sleep schedules.
References
4 Sources
Mindell et. al. (2008). Developmental aspects of sleep hygiene: Findings from the 2004 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll
Mindell and Williamson. (2017). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond
Paruthi et. al. (2016). Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Tham, Schneider, and Broekman. (2017). Infant sleep and its relation with cognition and growth: a narrative review
Keep in mind that the information and content on this blog is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. If you have questions about your child, please reach out to your doctor.
