2 Year Old Wake Windows & Sleep Schedule
Most 2 year olds take one nap of 1½ to 2 hours and stay awake 5 to 6 hours either side of it. Bedtime stalling, early rising and nap resistance are common, but most toddlers still need that nap to get their 11–14 hours of daily sleep.
- Wake window
- 5–6 hours
- Naps
- 1 a day
- Day sleep
- 1.5–2 h
- Night sleep
- 10–12 h
- Total in 24 h
- 11–14 h
Reviewed by Pediatric sleep consultant (TBC) · Updated 2026-09-25
Next nap for your 2 year old
Next nap
12:00 pm
after 5 h awake · typical 5–6 hours
See the whole day
- 7:00 am Morning wake-up
- 12:00 pm Nap 1 · until 1:45 pm
- 7:45 pm Bedtime
Get a reminder before 12:00 pm. The Wake Windows app pings you when the window is closing and re-plans the day when naps run short.
Sample schedules
2 year old sleep schedule
These schedules use 1 nap and wake windows that lengthen from 5 h in the morning to 6 h before bed. Pick the one closest to your baby's wake-up time and shift it by the difference.
Up at 6:00 am
- 6:00 am Morning wake-up
- 11:00 am Nap 1 · until 12:45 pm
- 6:45 pm Bedtime
Up at 7:00 am
- 7:00 am Morning wake-up
- 12:00 pm Nap 1 · until 1:45 pm
- 7:45 pm Bedtime
Up at 8:00 am
- 8:00 am Morning wake-up
- 1:00 pm Nap 1 · until 2:45 pm
- 8:45 pm Bedtime
How 2 year old wake windows change through the day
The first wake window of the day is the shortest. Each one after a nap gets a little longer, with the longest just before bedtime:
| Window | Length |
|---|---|
| First window (after morning wake-up) | 5 h |
| Last window (before bedtime) | 6 h |
What's changing for your 2 year old
- The 2-year sleep regression often shows up as bedtime stalling.
- Fears of the dark or of being alone can start; a dim nightlight is fine.
- Many families consider moving to a toddler bed; waiting until closer to 3 is usually easier.
- Nap refusal often comes and goes rather than signalling nap readiness.
What comes next
By 3 years many children still nap, but some start dropping it between 3 and 5 years. Quiet time can replace the nap when that happens.
Wake windows around 2 years
Guides for 2 years
Questions about 2 year old wake windows
What are wake windows for a 2 year old?
About 5 to 6 hours before and after the nap.
How long should a 2 year old nap?
Around 1½ to 2 hours. Longer naps can push bedtime later.
Is my 2 year old ready to drop their nap?
Usually not. Most 2-year-olds still need a nap. Try a shorter nap or later bedtime before dropping it.
What time should a 2 year old go to bed?
Between 7 and 8 pm is typical.