Sleep Schedule for 1 year and 5 months (approximately 17 months old)

Yes, it's completely normal for many toddlers around 17 months to still be taking two naps per day. While some may transition to one nap earlier, others continue to need two to avoid overtiredness. Pay attention to your child's cues: are they still generally happy and well-rested with two naps? If so, there's no need to rush the transition.

A common two-nap schedule for a 17-month-old often includes a morning nap around 9:30-10:30 AM and an afternoon nap around 1:30-3:00 PM. The exact timing will vary based on your child's wake-up time. Ensure there's at least 3-4 hours of awake time between waking and the first nap, and 2-3 hours between the end of the first nap and the start of the second nap, and finally, at least 3-4 hours of awake time before bedtime.

Several factors can lead to shorter or unpredictable naps. Developmental leaps, such as increased mobility or language development, can temporarily disrupt sleep. Teething, illness, changes in routine, or even overstimulation before naptime can also play a role. Try to maintain a consistent nap routine and create a calm, dark sleep environment to help. If it persists, consider if they are getting enough active play during their awake times.

For a two-nap schedule, the morning nap is often shorter, around 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, while the afternoon nap is typically longer, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The total daytime sleep for a child this age is usually between 2 to 3 hours. If naps are consistently very short (e.g., under 30 minutes) and your child is waking up fussy, it might indicate they aren't getting enough restorative sleep, or the nap timing might need adjustment.

If your child is consistently fighting their afternoon nap, waking up from it easily, or seems less tired in the late afternoon, they may be ready to transition to one nap. This transition can be gradual. You can try offering a slightly later morning nap and a slightly earlier bedtime. Some parents 'bridge' the gap with a very short cat nap in the late afternoon if absolutely necessary to avoid an overtired bedtime, but the goal is to eventually consolidate to one longer afternoon nap. Monitor your child's mood and energy levels closely during this phase.