Typical Sleep Behaviour in Toddlers (1 to 2 Years) – Grand Rapids, MI Guide

How Much Sleep Do Toddlers Need?

From around 12 months of age, most toddlers in Grand Rapids begin to sleep more predictably. They generally:

  • Sleep 10 to 14 hours in a 24‑hour period
  • Include 1 to 3 hours of daytime naps within that total
  • Sleep more at night and wake less often than they did as infants

This amount of sleep helps toddlers have the energy to grow, play, and learn. However, every child in West Michigan is different. Some toddlers naturally sleep a bit more or less than others, and that can still be normal.

If your toddler’s sleep seems very different from this, or you are worried about their health or development, it’s a good idea to talk with your Grand Rapids pediatrician or a local healthcare provider such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Toddler Sleep Rhythms at 1 to 2 Years

Naps and Night Sleep

Between 12 and 24 months, many toddlers begin to change their nap patterns:

  • Moving from two naps to one longer daytime nap
  • Sleeping for longer stretches overnight
  • Still sometimes waking at night, which is very common at this age

In Grand Rapids, the long winter nights and early darkness can sometimes affect sleep schedules. Toddlers may seem more tired in late afternoon during winter, or may wake earlier when the sun rises early in summer. Keeping a consistent routine helps balance these seasonal changes.

Brain Development, Fears, and Separation Anxiety

Why Bedtime Can Suddenly Get Harder

Toddlers’ brains are undergoing rapid development between 1 and 2 years. As a result, you may notice:

  • New night-time fears (dark, noises, being alone)
  • Increased need for comfort at bedtime and during the night
  • Resistance to going to bed because they want to stay up with the family
  • Stronger attachment to parents and caregivers, which can lead to separation anxiety

These behaviours often peak around 18 months and usually improve with age, especially when parents stay calm and consistent.

Helping Your Toddler Settle: What Works

Be Responsive and Reassuring

To support healthy toddler sleep in your Grand Rapids home:

  • Respond to your child’s needs
    Let your toddler know you are emotionally and physically available, especially if they are distressed.
  • Learn their tired signs and cues
    These might include rubbing eyes, yawning, becoming clingy, or getting unusually fussy.
  • Pay attention to the intensity of their cry
    This helps you decide whether they need a quick check-in, a longer cuddle, or help calming down.

By understanding and connecting with your toddler, you can support positive sleep patterns and reduce bedtime battles.

Creating a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Routines and Sleep Cues

Routines and the environment play a big role in helping toddlers fall asleep and stay asleep.

Helpful strategies include:

  • Use a consistent bedtime routine, such as:
    • Bath
    • Quiet play or cuddle
    • Book
    • Song
    • Bed
  • Create a calm sleep space:
    • Dark or dim room (especially helpful during bright Michigan summer evenings)
    • Comfortable room temperature (not too hot with winter heating or too cold near windows)
    • Familiar comfort objects (e.g., blanket, stuffed animal – if age‑appropriate and safe)
  • Limit screens in the evening:
    • Avoid TV, tablets, and phones at least 1 hour before bedtime
    • Bright screens can make it harder for toddlers to fall asleep

In Grand Rapids, heating during winter and air conditioning or fans during humid summers can affect sleep. Aim for a comfortable, consistent temperature and use blackout curtains if early morning light wakes your toddler too early in summer.

Toddler Sleep Regression (1 to 2 Years)

What Is Sleep Regression?

From around 18 months, some toddlers who usually sleep well may suddenly:

  • Refuse to go to sleep at their usual bedtime
  • Wake up more often during the night
  • Have trouble going back to sleep on their own

This is called sleep regression. It is usually temporary and can happen at several stages in early childhood.

Common triggers include:

  • Rapid growth and brain development
  • Teething
  • Changes in routine (starting daycare, travel, visitors, holidays)
  • Illness (such as fever, colds, or ear infections – common in Michigan’s cold season)
  • Stress or big family changes (new sibling, moving house, etc.)

How to Handle Sleep Regression

If your toddler goes through a sleep regression:

  • Stay consistent with bedtime routines
    Keep the same wind‑down activities and bedtime as much as possible.
  • Be calm and reassuring
    Comfort your child if they are scared or upset, but keep the message clear that bedtime means sleep time.
  • Avoid creating new habits that are hard to maintain
    For example, try not to start rocking your toddler to sleep every night if you do not plan to continue this long-term.
  • Support emotional security
    Build a strong, loving relationship so your toddler feels safe and secure at bedtime and during the night.

Safety and the Sleep Environment

As your toddler becomes more active and curious:

  • Check that the crib or toddler bed is safe
    Ensure it meets current safety standards and is in good condition.
  • Watch for climbing
    If your toddler is trying to climb out of the crib, talk with your pediatrician about when to transition from crib to bed.
  • Keep the sleep area free of hazards
    Avoid cords, loose bedding, small objects, and unstable furniture near the bed.

Strategies to Encourage Positive Sleep Behaviour

To support healthy toddler sleep patterns in Grand Rapids:

  • Recognize and respond to tired signs early
    Putting your toddler to bed when they are just getting tired (not overtired) often makes settling easier.
  • Use positive, consistent bedtime routines
    Repeat the same steps in the same order each night.
  • Keep a regular schedule
    Try to keep wake time, nap time, and bedtime similar each day, even on weekends.
  • Plan around Michigan seasons
    • In winter: build in extra time for warm baths and cozy wind‑down activities.
    • In summer: use blackout curtains and white noise if needed to block early light and outdoor noise.

Local Support for Toddler Sleep in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are worried about your toddler’s sleep, behaviour, or development, there are many resources in the Grand Rapids area:

Healthcare Providers

  • Your pediatrician or family doctor
    Many families in Grand Rapids receive care through:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) pediatric practices
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health clinics and family medicine practices

These providers can check for medical issues (such as ear infections, reflux, or allergies) that may affect sleep and can offer personalized guidance.

Public Health Resources

  • Kent County Health Department
    Offers family and child health programs, developmental information, and referrals to local services.
    Website: search “Kent County Health Department child health”
  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids
    Provides community health information and links to local parenting and early childhood resources.

Parenting and Family Support

  • Local parenting classes and support groups
    Many are offered through:
    • Hospital systems (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
    • Community centers and churches
    • Early childhood programs and family resource centers
  • Nurse and advice lines
    Many pediatric practices and hospital systems in Grand Rapids offer nurse triage or after‑hours advice lines. Check the number on your child’s clinic card or practice website.

If English is not your first language, ask your clinic or hospital about interpreter services. Major health systems in Grand Rapids can usually arrange interpreters in many languages common in West Michigan.

When to Seek Help About Your Toddler’s Sleep

Talk with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider or call your clinic if:

  • Your toddler snores loudly, gasps, or seems to stop breathing during sleep
  • They are very difficult to wake or seem unusually sleepy during the day
  • Sleep problems are causing major stress for your family
  • You are concerned about your child’s growth, development, or behaviour
  • You have tried consistent routines and changes for a few weeks with no improvement

Early support can make a big difference—for your toddler’s health and for your own rest and well‑being.

Key Points for Grand Rapids Parents

  • Toddlers aged 1 to 2 years typically sleep 10–14 hours in 24 hours, including naps.
  • Night waking is still common, even when toddlers sleep for longer stretches overnight.
  • Toddlers may need extra comfort due to night-time fears and separation anxiety, especially around 18 months.
  • Consistent routines, a calm environment, and responsive parenting help prevent and manage many toddler sleep concerns.
  • If you are worried about your child’s sleep, local Grand Rapids resources—pediatricians, hospital systems, and public health services—are available to help.