Sleep Schedule for 11 months old

Most 11-month-olds are transitioning to or have settled into a two-nap schedule. This typically looks like a morning nap and an afternoon nap. Some babies might still need a brief catnap in the late afternoon if their wake windows are longer, but two consistent naps are most common at this age.

Nap times can vary, but a general guideline is for the morning nap to occur about 2.5 to 3.5 hours after waking up for the day. The afternoon nap usually follows about 2.5 to 3.5 hours after the morning nap ends. It's more important to focus on wake windows than exact clock times, as each baby is different.

This is a very common developmental phase called the '11-month sleep regression' or simply a transition in sleep needs. Babies at this age are becoming more mobile and curious, which can make them resistant to stopping their play for a nap. It's usually a temporary phase. Try to maintain consistent nap routines, offer a quiet, dark sleep space, and ensure they aren't overtired before the nap.

Nap duration can vary widely. Ideally, the morning nap might be longer, perhaps 1 to 1.5 hours, and the afternoon nap can be shorter, around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Some babies might have one longer nap and one shorter nap. The key is that their total daytime sleep is sufficient (usually 2-3 hours in total naps) and they are able to fall asleep independently.

A 30-minute nap is often referred to as a 'short nap.' This can happen for several reasons at 11 months. It might be due to overtiredness, undertiredness (not awake long enough before the nap), environmental distractions, or simply a developmental leap where they haven't yet mastered linking sleep cycles. Try to let them settle for a few more minutes in their crib. If they don't resettle, it's often best to just get them up and try again for the next nap after a normal wake window, rather than pushing a nap that isn't going well.