Your sweet little 20 month old tornado of energy who refuses to sleep is testing every ounce of your patience (and sanity). You're not alone in this midnight wilderness, friend. The truth? Sleep challenges at this age are as normal as finding random Cheerios in your couch cushions.

But here's your silver lining: 20 months is actually a fantastic age to establish healthy sleep patterns that could transform your nights from desperate zombie walks to (mostly) peaceful stretches of actual sleep. Let's dive into the science, schedules, and survival strategies that actually work.

Editor's Note

For children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development. Each child is unique, and sleep needs vary. The following information is a guide - don’t worry about meeting exact totals.

Understanding Sleep Needs for Your 20 Month Old

Your 20 month old might fight sleep like it's their sworn enemy, but their developing brain and body desperately need it. At this age, most toddlers require:

• 11 - 14 hours of total sleep per day
• This typically breaks down into 10 - 12 hours of nighttime sleep and 1 - 2 hours of daytime napping

Here's what's happening behind those adorable eyelids: During sleep, your toddler's brain is busy processing the day's new skills, consolidating memories, and releasing growth hormones. Those language explosions, coordination improvements, and cognitive leaps? They're powered by good sleep.

But why the resistance? Two words: developmental milestones. Your 20 month old is experiencing:

• Massive language development
• Growing independence
• Heightened separation anxiety
• Newfound physical capabilities
• Testing boundaries (yes, even sleep boundaries!)

Translation: their brains are too excited to power down easily. Their developing sense of autonomy makes "bedtime" sound like "I'm missing out on life!" But understanding this doesn't make it easier when you're on night three of bedtime battles.

Wake Windows for 20 Month Olds

If you've never heard of "wake windows," prepare for your parenting epiphany. These magical time frames represent how long your toddler can happily stay awake before needing sleep again.

For a 20 month old, the optimal wake windows are:

• 5 - 6 hours between morning wake-up and nap
• 5 - 6 hours between end of nap and bedtime

Miss these windows? Hello, overtired toddler who's simultaneously exhausted and wired! Working within these biological rhythms can dramatically reduce bedtime battles.

Watch for sleepy cues (eye rubbing, increased clinginess, sudden meltdowns over minor issues) rather than strictly adhering to the clock. Your child's unique signals matter more than what any sleep chart says.

Sample Sleep Schedule for 20 Month Olds

Remember, this is a framework, not a prescription. Your unique little human may need adjustments:

Morning

• 6:30 - 7:00 AM: Wake up
• Breakfast and an active morning play

Midday

• 12:00 - 12:30 PM: Nap time (following a simple wind-down routine)
• 1:30 - 2:30 PM: Wake from nap (length varies by child)

Evening

• 5:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM: Begin bedtime wind-down (bath, books, cuddles)
• 7:00 - 7:30 PM: Bedtime

Consistency matters more than perfection. Your toddler's internal clock thrives on predictability, even if some days go completely off the rails (and they will). The goal is a rhythm, not robotic precision.

Top Tips For Better Sleep for Your 20 Month Old

1. The Power of Routine

Your toddler's brain craves predictability. A consistent bedtime routine signals to their developing neural pathways that sleep is coming:

• Keep it simple: 3 - 4 steps maximum
• Same sequence every night (bath → pajamas → books → song → sleep)
• Aim for 20 - 30 minutes total

Research shows that consistent routines increase sleep duration and reduce night wakings.

2. Environment Matters

• Room temperature: 68 - 72°F (20 - 22°C) is the sweet spot
• White noise: Blocks disruptive sounds and provides comforting consistency
• Blackout curtains: Signal to their developing circadian rhythm that it's sleep time
• Comfort object: Security items reduce separation anxiety

3. The Daytime Connection

What happens during daylight hours dramatically impacts nighttime sleep:

• Outdoor morning light: Resets their internal clock
• Physical activity: Toddlers need to burn energy (but not right before sleep)
• Consistent meal and snack times: Stabilizes blood sugar and prevents hunger wakings

4. Responding to Wakings

Night wakings at 20 months are normal, but how you respond shapes future patterns:

• Brief check-ins rather than lengthy interventions
• Keep interactions boring and minimal
• Be consistent with your response

Remember: perfection isn't the goal. Progress is. That night, your toddler slept 20 minutes longer? That's a win worth celebrating.

Can I Sleep Train a 20 Month Old?

The short answer: Yes, but it looks different than infant sleep training.

At 20 months, your child understands more, has stronger opinions, and experiences more pronounced separation anxiety. This means:

• Traditional "cry it out" methods may backfire
• Gradual approaches tend to be more effective
• Verbal preparation becomes crucial ("It's time for sleep. Mommy will see you in the morning!")

Effective approaches for this age include:

• Chair method: Gradually moving further from their bed over several nights
• Scheduled check-ins: Returning at predictable intervals to briefly reassure
• Camping out: Sleeping in their room temporarily while establishing new habits

The most important factor? Your consistent response to their behavior. Toddlers are master negotiators and boundary-testers. Clear, loving limits around sleep help them feel secure even when they protest.

FAQs about 20 Month Old Sleep

Q: My 20 month old suddenly started waking up multiple times at night. Is this normal?

A: Absolutely normal! (Though I completely understand it doesn't feel that way when you're on night three of broken sleep.)

Sleep regressions at this age typically connect to these developmental leaps:

• Language explosions (their brains are literally too busy processing new words)
• Separation anxiety peaks (hello, middle-of-the-night "MAMA!" calls)
• New physical skills (climbing, jumping, running = excited neural pathways)
• Growing independence (testing boundaries becomes a 24/7 job)

Q: Is one nap enough at 20 months? My toddler seems tired but fights the second nap.

A: Most 20 month olds have solidly transitioned to one nap, lasting 1.5 - 2.5 hours. Fighting the nap doesn't necessarily mean they don't need it—it often means they're experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out)!

If your toddler shows these signs, one nap is likely appropriate:

• Can stay happily awake 5+ hours in the morning
• Takes a solid midday nap (ideally 1.5+ hours)
• Can make it to bedtime without major meltdowns after that one nap

Q: How do I handle early morning wakings? My 20 month old is up at 5 AM ready to party!

A: The pre-dawn party is perhaps the most challenging sleep issue for parents! Try these science-backed solutions:

• Blackout curtains (we mean BLACKOUT—test by waving your hand in front of your face during daylight; if you can see it, light is getting in!)
• White noise that runs continuously
• Consistent wake time (yes, even on weekends!)
• Consider an "OK-to-Wake" clock with a simple color system

Q: My 20 month old stands/jumps/plays in the crib for an hour before falling asleep. Should I intervene?

The bedtime circus act! As long as they're happy and eventually fall asleep, this is actually healthy self-soothing behavior.

The science: These activities help toddlers:

• Process the day's events
• Practice new skills in a low-pressure environment
• Learn to transition to sleep independently
• Develop executive function skills

As long as safety measures are in place (appropriate crib mattress height, no climbing out), consider this their personal wind-down routine. Many parents worry this means bedtime is too early, but most sleep experts suggest it's actually a sign of a well-timed bedtime—they're tired enough for bed but not overtired.

Q: Is it too late to sleep train at 20 months?

A: It's absolutely not too late! But at this age, "sleep training" looks different than that of a 6-month-old.

Effective approaches for 20 month olds:

• Gradual withdrawal methods (sitting near them and slowly moving further away over nights)
• Consistent verbal cues ("It's sleep time. I love you. I'll see you in the morning.")
• Visual schedules showing the bedtime routine
• Involving them in the process ("Do you want the blue or green pajamas?")

The most critical factor at this age is consistency. Your toddler is testing boundaries everywhere—including sleep. When they receive the same loving but firm response every time, they learn the sleep boundaries aren't negotiable (even when they try their 17th negotiation tactic!).

Q: My toddler used to sleep through the night but now wakes up crying for bottles/milk. Help!

A: This classic sleep regression often happens. Your action plan:

• Rule out physical causes (teething, ear infections, etc.)
• Ensure adequate daytime nutrition (toddlers need protein-rich snacks before bed)
• Gradually dilute the night bottles with water over several nights if you're ready to wean
• Consider a small water sippy cup that they can access independently

Remember: Night weaning is a separate process from sleep training. Many perfectly sleep-trained toddlers still have biological needs for nutrition at night.

Q: How do I transition from crib to bed without creating a sleep disaster?

A: Timing is everything! Signs your 20 month old might be ready:

• Consistently climbing out of the crib (safety concern!)
• Asking for a "big kid bed"
• Sleeping on a mat at daycare without issues

If you need to make the transition now:

• Use a toddler bed or floor bed initially (lower to the ground)
• Childproof the entire room thoroughly
• Consider a door gate or doorknob cover (safely containing them in a safe space)
• Expect a 1 - 3 week adjustment period with consistent reinforcement of boundaries

Q: My 20 month old takes forever to fall asleep. Is our bedtime routine too long/short?

The ideal toddler bedtime routine is:

• 20 - 30 minutes total
• Consistently ordered steps
• Calm but not boring
• Free from screens at least 60 minutes before sleep

Signs your routine needs adjustment:

• Your child becomes increasingly excited/stimulated during the routine
• The routine stretches beyond 30 - 40 minutes
• You find yourself negotiating or adding "just one more" of anything
• Your child seems confused about what comes next

Conclusion

Some nights, despite your best efforts, sleep will be a disaster. On those nights, remember:

• Your toddler isn't giving you a hard time; they're having a hard time
• Sleep regressions are temporary developmental phases
• You haven't failed if you occasionally need to break your own rules

Most importantly, this phase will pass. The parent who's been up six times by midnight doesn't need more pressure—you need permission to do whatever gets everyone through the night with sanity intact.