Sleep Training Your 20 Month Old

Not at all. This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is reassuring: 20 months is absolutely not too late. Your toddler's patterns may be more established than a younger baby's, and the adjustment may be louder, but toddlers at this age understand routines and respond beautifully to consistency and connection. Most families see meaningful improvement in 2-3 weeks with the right approach.

Most 20 month olds need 12-14 hours of total sleep, with many averaging around 13 hours. This typically breaks down to 10-12 hours at night plus 2-3 hours during the day (one midday nap). The bedtime sweet spot is usually between 7:00-8:00pm. Consistently getting less sleep can affect mood, behavior, and development.

Night waking at 20 months is almost always about patterns or schedule—not hunger or biological need. Common causes: sleep associations (needing you present to fall asleep means needing you present to fall BACK asleep), schedule issues (nap too late or too short), or habits that have been reinforced over time. Betteroo identifies which factors are at play and addresses them gently.

Early waking is one of the trickiest sleep challenges—and very common at this age. Usual causes: nap ending too late, nap too short (creating overtiredness), bedtime too early, or too much total daytime sleep. Sometimes it's environmental (light, noise). Betteroo's quiz identifies the root cause and adjusts your schedule accordingly.

There's no single "best" approach—it depends on your toddler's temperament and your comfort level. Options range from very gradual/gentle (you stay present and slowly reduce involvement over weeks) to more structured check-in methods. Betteroo's quiz matches you with the approach most likely to work for YOUR toddler and YOUR values. We never require cry-it-out.

Most families notice positive changes within 5-7 nights. Established patterns at 20 months may take a bit longer to fully shift—typically 2-3 weeks for consistent sleep through the night. Progress is usually steady once schedule and approach are aligned, even if there are some bumpy nights along the way.

Some frustration is normal when routines change—your toddler is communicating that this is different from what they expected. However, Betteroo offers multiple approaches from very gradual (minimal upset) to more structured methods. You choose what aligns with your parenting values. Our goal is always to minimize distress while still making progress toward better sleep for everyone.

Absolutely. This is one of the most common feelings parents have at this age—and one of the most incorrect. Patterns that have been reinforced for 20 months feel permanent, but they're not. Toddlers are remarkably adaptable. With a consistent, loving approach that matches their temperament, new patterns emerge.

Yes! Many families continue breastfeeding while improving sleep. By 20 months, most toddlers don't nutritionally need night feeds, but you can absolutely keep bedtime or morning nursing sessions. The key is gently separating feeding from the falling-asleep process. Betteroo helps you decide what to keep and how to make the transition.

Yes! Many Betteroo families have toddlers in daycare. The key is working WITH your daycare schedule rather than against it. Betteroo factors in daycare nap times and helps you adjust home sleep accordingly. Some inconsistency between settings is normal and won't derail progress as long as home routines stay consistent.

Absolutely. Betteroo is built on evidence-based sleep science reviewed by pediatric sleep experts. Research shows that helping toddlers develop healthy sleep patterns has no negative effects on attachment, behavior, or development. We offer multiple approaches—you choose what feels right for your family. We never require methods that don't align with your values.

Betteroo goes beyond generic advice. We provide a truly personalized experience that adapts to your 20 month old's specific situation—established patterns, temperament, daycare schedule, your parenting style—in real-time. Plus, we consider YOUR capacity too. It's like having a compassionate sleep consultant in your pocket—at a fraction of the cost.