11 month old sleep schedule

The quest for a good night’s sleep can sometimes feel like an elusive dream. Just when you think you’ve mastered your 11 month old’s sleep schedule, new challenges arise as your baby wants to practice all of the new skills they are learning! Is it a sleep regression or just your 11 month old’s sleep schedule that needs adjusting?

Fear not, this blog post will spill the beans on all things 11 month old sleep schedule, wake windows, the ideal bedtime routine and the big question: just how many naps are enough? 

Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, understanding your baby’s evolving sleep needs is crucial for a peaceful night’s rest – for both you and your baby.

What you’ll learn:

• 11 month old sleep schedule
• 11 month old wake windows
• How many naps for an 11 month old?
• Sample schedule for 11 month olds
• 11 month old bedtime
• How long should an 11 month old sleep?
• 11 month old bedtime routine
• FAQs

11 month old sleep schedule 

At this stage you’re probably either in a solid routine with your baby or wondering where to start to get your 11 month old into an easy sleep schedule. The good news is that your 11 month old is the perfect age to learn to sleep independently and settle into a solid routine with 2 naps during the day and uninterrupted overnight sleep.

At 11 months old your baby is developmentally ready to sleep through the night without any night feeds, although you can check with your baby’s doctor if you have any concerns. The key to getting your 11 month old’s sleep schedule on track is having a solid bedtime routine, good naps and teaching them to sleep independently.

11 month old wake windows 

Wake windows are important for getting your 11 month old into a good sleep schedule. Wake windows aren’t complicated. They are simply the amount of time that your baby is awake between sleeps. For example, the time between naps. 

Think of Goldilocks when it comes to your 11 month old’s wake windows. You want them to be “just right”. Wake windows that are too short or too long can lead to your baby fighting sleep or taking short naps. Neither of which you want!

The good news is that at 11 months old babies are settled in a two nap schedule with no nap transitions on the horizon for a few months! (Feel free to do a happy dance). 

Wake windows of 2.5-3.5 hours throughout the day are ideal for your 11 month old.

For many babies, wake windows work best when the shortest wake window happens before the first nap (so 2.5 hours), and gradually lengthens throughout the day to the longest wake window happening before bed. 

Sometimes daycare will necessitate that wake windows are rearranged a bit. This is common and can be worked around. Ideally your daycare can keep to wake windows of 2.5-3.5 hours, though. 

You’ll know you have the right wake windows when your baby falls asleep easily and has restful sleep.

How many naps for an 11 month old?  

If you’re constantly wondering “How many naps should an 11 month old take?” I’ve got the answer for you! By the 11 month mark most babies are ready for a consistent two nap routine.  

If you need help, here’s my guide on making the shift from 3 naps to 2.

Your baby’s nap schedule might vary a bit from other babies. For example, some babies will take two 90-minute naps everyday and others might have a shorter morning nap and longer afternoon nap. 

Make sure to check out my 2 nap schedule guide for all the information you need to find the ideal 2 nap routine for your baby.

It’s common for some 11 month olds to start fighting naps. Parents message us everyday asking “Is 11 months too early for one nap?”. Yes it’s too early! 

The wake windows required for a one nap schedule are too long for 11 month olds. When babies transition too early to a one nap schedule (before 15 months old) I often see their night sleep worsen. 

Tweaking your 11 month old’s sleep schedule while staying consistent with two naps a day will help to give your baby the rest they need during the day. (See the next section for example sleep schedules for 11 month olds.)

If your baby is fighting sleep, day and night, check out this guide on the 11 month sleep regression. 

Sample schedule for 11 month olds   

Wake windows that range from 2.5-3.5 hours means that your baby’s daily routine might look a bit different from another 11 month old’s. For example, some babies do well with wake windows of 2.5/3/3.5 and others like 3/3/3. Play around to discover the timing that works best for your baby. 

In our nap training program, we give customized advice for creating wake windows that work best for each baby. 

Below are two sample schedules for 11 month olds, for even more sample schedules checkout my two nap schedule blog post.

The first sample schedule shows consistent 3-hour wake windows throughout the day. If your baby wakes at a different time make sure to adjust the rest of the schedule to keep the same wake windows. You can also play around with the schedule if your 11 month old prefers uneven length naps.

The second schedule shows a longer wake window of 3.5-4 hours before bed. This longer wake window can work really well for some 11 month olds, especially if they are particularly energetic and need a bit extra time to burn off all of their energy before bedtime.

11 month old bedtime 

The ideal bedtime for an 11 month old is 7-8 pm. Occasionally I recommend a bedtime of 6:30 pm to clients of my baby sleep program if their schedule necessitates it but in general, to avoid early morning wakeups, 7 pm is ideal. 

If you’re struggling with persistent early wakings my Early Wakings No More program is the solution!

The best bedtime for your 11 month old will depend on what wake windows suit them best and will probably be between 3-3.5 hours after they wake from their afternoon nap. A consistent bedtime helps to set your 11 month old’s body clock for sleep at the same time every night, which will help bedtime go easier. No more wondering if your baby isn’t tired enough! They will be with the same bedtime each night. 

The best way to achieve a consistent bedtime is to have an established morning wake time everyday and follow one of my sample sleep schedules. 

If your baby’s bedtime isn’t 7-8 pm you can start to slowly adjust their schedule. Shift bedtime by just 15 minutes every few days to give them time to adapt. Make sure to shift everything else including nap and meal times.

How long should an 11 month old sleep?  

Eleven month olds need 12-15 hours of sleep everyday (night sleep and naps). 

Your baby needs 2-3 hours of napping everyday and 10-12 hours of nighttime sleep.

Finding the perfect balance for your baby will help them sleep well both at night and during the day.

Never wake a sleeping baby? Forget that advice! I recommend that your baby doesn’t nap more than 3 total hours everyday, otherwise their nighttime sleep might be affected (night wakings or early morning wake-ups.) 

Also, you might need to wake your baby from their afternoon nap to allow enough awake time before bed (3-3.5 hours). Getting them outside after this nap is a great way to help them burn off energy so they don’t fight or resist bedtime. 

Consistency is key! Kickstart the day at the same time every morning and watch the magic happen. It’s not just about clocks, it’s about creating a reliable rhythm to your days. This helps lock in predictable nap times and ends the day with a bedtime routine that will tell your baby that it is time for sleep.

11 month old bedtime routine 

Navigating the bedtime battleground with your 11-month-old? Fear not, a solid bedtime routine might just be your superhero cape. Our relaxing bedtime routine is a game-changer for ending bedtime battles and having a baby that’s tired and ready to sleep! 

The same sequence of steps, each night, like clockwork. Dinner sets the stage, followed by a bubble bath, then a soothing massage, slipping into cozy pajamas, a comforting feed, a delightful story, and the grand finale – snuggling into bed. Who wouldn’t be calm and ready for sleep after this peaceful bedtime routine?

It’s not just a checklist; it’s a magic potion for a tranquil night. The power lies in the repetition, creating a familiar rhythm that signals bedtime is coming. This predictability gives your baby the chance to wind down, relax, and prepare for the sleep. They know what’s coming because it’s the same every night and this comforts them. 

Here’s the secret sauce: it’s not just about the steps. It’s about the connection. Taking that extra moment for a cuddle or a lullaby fosters a sense of security so your baby can learn to happily fall asleep on their own. (Want more guidance on this? Check out my baby sleep program.) 

Here’s the Peaceful Nightly Ritual we recommend to transform bedtime into a calm and enjoyable experience for you and your baby.

Final thoughts

As we wrap up this journey into the realm of 11 month old sleep, here’s a gentle reminder: parenting is an ever-evolving adventure and sleep is just one facet of it. 

While we’ve delved into sleep expectations, daytime nap dilemmas, and the bedtime tango, it’s crucial not to let the pursuit of “perfect sleep” become an obsession. Every baby is unique and what works for yours might not for another. So take a breath, trust your instinct, and remember that getting a good night’s sleep can be a process. We got you covered! 

If you’re looking for guidance on having your baby become a happy and independent sleeper, check out my gentle and proven sleep training program.

My team and I are here to support you in creating an easy sleep routine that you and your baby can depend on. Sweet dreams are within reach and we’re right here cheering you on every step of the way.

FAQs