Baby Sleep Schedule by Age: Complete 0-12 Month Guide 2025

Sleep Basics: Understanding Baby Sleep

Key Concepts:

• Wake windows: Time baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps
• Sleep cues: Rubbing eyes, yawning, fussiness, staring off
• Overtired: Staying awake too long makes it harder to fall asleep
• Undertired: Not enough awake time means baby isn't sleepy
• Sleep pressure: Builds during wake times, released during sleep

Newborn: 0-8 Weeks

Sleep Needs:

• Total sleep: 14-18 hours per 24 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 8-9 hours (with multiple wakings)
• Daytime sleep: 6-9 hours across 4-6 naps
• Wake windows: 30-90 minutes
• Longest stretch: 2-4 hours (gradually increases)

What to Expect:

• No predictable schedule yet—newborns sleep in random patterns
• Eat-sleep-poop cycle every 2-3 hours
• Day/night confusion common (sleeping more during day)
• Frequent night wakings for feeding (every 2-3 hours)
• Very short wake windows (30-60 minutes including feeding time)

Newborn Sleep Tips:

• Keep wake windows very short (30-90 min including feeding)
• Expose baby to bright light during day, darkness at night
• Watch for sleep cues before baby gets overtired
• Use white noise, swaddle, dark room for better sleep
• Don't expect a schedule—survival mode is normal

2-3 Months

Sleep Needs:

• Total sleep: 14-16 hours per 24 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 9-10 hours (with 2-4 wakings)
• Daytime sleep: 4-6 hours across 4-5 naps
• Wake windows: 60-90 minutes
• Longest stretch: 4-6 hours

What to Expect:

• Emerging patterns—more predictable than newborn stage
• Bedtime consolidating (moving earlier, around 7-8 PM)
• Longest sleep stretch at beginning of night
• Day/night confusion resolving
• Still feeding 2-3 times per night

3-Month Sleep Tips:

• Start establishing consistent bedtime routine
• Move bedtime earlier (7-8 PM) as circadian rhythm develops
• Practice putting baby down drowsy but awake
• Watch for 3-month sleep regression (temporary disruption)

4-5 Months

Sleep Needs:

• Total sleep: 12-15 hours per 24 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10-12 hours (with 1-3 wakings)
• Daytime sleep: 3-4 hours across 3-4 naps
• Wake windows: 90 minutes to 2 hours
• Longest stretch: 6-8 hours (some babies)

What to Expect:

• 4-month sleep regression: Major developmental leap disrupts sleep
• Sleep cycles mature (harder to stay asleep between cycles)
• More predictable nap schedule emerging
• Rolling may disrupt sleep (both ways)
• Some babies sleep through night, many still wake 1-2 times

6-7 Months

Sleep Needs:

• Total sleep: 12-15 hours per 24 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10-12 hours (with 0-2 wakings)
• Daytime sleep: 2.5-3.5 hours across 2-3 naps
• Wake windows: 2-3 hours
• Longest stretch: 8-12 hours (many babies sleep through)

What to Expect:

• Transitioning from 3 naps to 2 naps (usually around 7-9 months)
• More consistent schedule possible
• Many babies sleeping through night (6-8 hour stretches)
• Sitting up and crawling may disrupt sleep temporarily
• Starting solid foods (don't expect immediate sleep improvement)

6-7 Month Sleep Tips:

• Watch for signs baby is ready to drop third nap
• Keep wake windows age-appropriate to prevent overtiredness
• Maintain consistent bedtime routine
• Consider sleep training if desired (consult pediatrician)

8-9 Months

Sleep Needs:

• Total sleep: 12-14 hours per 24 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10-12 hours
• Daytime sleep: 2-3 hours across 2 naps
• Wake windows: 2.5-3.5 hours
• Longest stretch: 10-12 hours

What to Expect:

• 8-10 month sleep regression: Separation anxiety and new skills disrupt sleep
• Standing in crib may wake baby (hasn't learned to sit back down yet)
• Separation anxiety peaks—harder to leave for naps/bedtime
• Two predictable naps per day
• Most babies on consistent schedule

10-12 Months

Sleep Needs:

• Total sleep: 11-14 hours per 24 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10-12 hours
• Daytime sleep: 2-3 hours across 2 naps (some babies transition to 1 nap by 12 months)
• Wake windows: 3-4 hours
• Longest stretch: 10-12 hours

What to Expect:

• Most consistent sleep schedule of first year
• Majority of babies sleeping through night
• Two solid naps (morning and afternoon)
• Starting to show signs of needing only one nap (but usually wait until 15-18 months)
• Walking and increased mobility may temporarily disrupt sleep

Wake Windows by Age (Quick Reference)

Common Sleep Problems & Solutions

Problem: Short Naps (30-45 Minutes)

• Cause: Baby waking between sleep cycles, can't connect cycles yet
• Solutions: Dark room, white noise, appropriate wake windows, practice crib naps (not just contact naps)
• Reality: Short naps are developmentally normal until 5-7 months

Problem: Fighting Bedtime

• Causes: Overtired, undertired, or wake windows off
• Solutions: Adjust wake windows, earlier bedtime if overtired, consistent routine

Problem: Early Morning Waking (Before 6 AM)

• Causes: Too much daytime sleep, bedtime too early, room too bright
• Solutions: Cap daytime sleep, later bedtime, blackout curtains

Problem: Frequent Night Waking

• Causes: Sleep associations (feeding/rocking to sleep), developmental leaps, sleep regressions
• Solutions: Practice independent sleep skills, rule out hunger/discomfort, stay consistent through regressions

Problem: Won't Nap in Crib

• Cause: Strong sleep associations with contact/motion
• Solutions: Gradual crib practice, start with one crib nap per day, use same sleep environment as nighttime

Safe Sleep Reminders

AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines:

• Back to sleep for every sleep until age 1
• Firm, flat sleep surface (crib, bassinet, play yard)
• Nothing in crib (no blankets, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals)
• Room-sharing without bed-sharing for first 6-12 months
• No smoking around baby
• Pacifier at sleep time (after breastfeeding established)
• Avoid overheating (room temperature 68-72°F)

When to Seek Help

Consult your pediatrician if:

• Baby is sleeping significantly more or less than age ranges
• Baby suddenly stops sleeping well after sleeping well previously
• Baby has loud snoring or gasping during sleep
• You suspect sleep apnea or breathing issues
• Your mental health is suffering from sleep deprivation

Conclusion: Follow Your Baby

These schedules are guidelines, not rules. Your baby may need:

• Slightly more or less sleep than listed ranges
• Longer or shorter wake windows
• Earlier or later bedtime
• Different nap transition timing

Watch your baby's cues, track patterns, and adjust schedules based on how YOUR baby responds. A well-rested baby is alert and happy when awake. An overtired baby is fussy and fights sleep.

Related Articles

Related Calculators