How Much Do Babies Sleep? A Sleep Schedule for Your Baby’s 1st Year

Every parent want a good night’s sleep for their baby. But many people don’t know — or don’t want to know — the finer points:

1. What is the duration of my baby’s nap?
2. What time should they go to their beds?
3. How many hours of sleep can I really expect during the night?
4. What happens to a baby’s sleep routine as he or she grows older?

Everyone understands that their new baby will not sleep much in the first few weeks. The most common misunderstanding among new parents is that once the infant has through the first few weeks, sleep will gradually but consistently improve. Many parents anticipate that the baby’s sleep will improve over time until he or she is sleeping for eight hours straight at four months. Not so quickly! Many, if not most, babies’ lives are like a roller coaster, with euphoric achievements interspersed with stressful regressions!

Birth to 2 Month Baby Sleep Schedule

Total Sleep: A total of 14 to 18 hours of sleep per day is recommended. Babies sleep in fits and starts during the first few months, waking up several times throughout the day to feed. You should expect your baby to fuss 10 to 12 times a day in the first few weeks due to hunger.

The day begins… at 7 a.m.

Napping: Your sleepyhead will take numerous short naps (for up to 8 hours a day). The daily cycle consists of one to two hours of awake time followed by one to two hours of napping. If your baby’s nap lasts longer than 1.5 to 2 hours during the second month, it’s not a bad idea to rouse him for a feeding. Long naps cause newborns to consume less during the day, making them hungry at night.

Nighttime sleep…begins around 10 p.m. Your baby will sleep in fits and starts throughout the night, interrupted only by feedings. In the first month, the longest stretch of zzz’s normally reaches 4 hours, and by 2 months, it has increased to 4 to 8 hours.

Heads up: White noise, swaddling, and motion therapy can help babies sleep better and more naturally from the first day of life.

2 to 4 Month Baby Sleep Schedule

Total sleep: 13-14 hours.

The day now begins… a bit earlier. The majority of babies this age awaken about 6 a.m.

Napping: Your baby will take 2-3 naps per day, for a total of 4-8 hours of sleep.

Nighttime sleep…begins a little sooner, at 9 p.m., with your infant falling asleep. They’ll also sleep for extended periods of time, only waking up for a meal or two. Sleeping for the longest time without interruption is normally approximately 5-8 hours (some may sleep an even longer stretch, especially using a sleep aide).

Heads up: Be on the lookout for the 3-month sleep relapse! It can occur out of nowhere, with your infant waking up like a newborn every few hours and wanting to play or hug… However, he refuses to sleep alone.

When swaddling is removed at 2 to 3 months of age, your baby may startle more, roll more, and wake up more frequently at night.

4 – 8 Month Baby Sleep Schedule

Total sleep: 12-14 hours of total sleep each day Your baby has completed the fourth trimester when they reach the age of four months. Many of your new-parent friends are probably still exhausted. So, if your baby sleeps well, don’t brag about it too much to the other mums!

The day begins… between 6 and 8 a.m., depending on your infant.

Napping: 2-3 naps every day for a total of 3-5 hours.

Nighttime sleep… begins at 7-9 p.m. Your kid may sleep for 6-10 hours straight, which most people would refer to as “sleeping through the night!”

Heads up: Teething usually begins between the ages of 4-6 months, however like with anything, your infant may start sooner or later. Gum soreness can make your infant fussy and cause sleep disturbances. Loud, rumbling white noise might assist your infant tune out distractions, both internal and external, such as teething and abrupt noises.

8 – 12 Month Baby Sleep Schedule

Total sleep: By the time they reach the age of eight months, infants should be sleeping 12 to 14 hours per day.

The day begins… between 6 and 7 a.m.

Napping: 2 to 3 times a day is still the norm.

Nighttime sleep now begins about 7 to 9 p.m. At night, your baby’s longest stretch is likely to be 7-10 hours!

Heads Up: This is the time of year when babies love to crawl…and even walk. They frequently want to get out of bed and run about the room. (For more information on the 8-month sleep regression, go here!) A pacifier or white noise is the only safe “lovey” until your kid is 12 months old.

12 Month Baby Sleep Schedule (Happy Birthday!!!)

Total sleep: 12 to 14 hours in a full day’s cycle.

The day begins… between 6 and 7 a.m.

Napping: 2 naps every day, for a total of 2 to 4 hours.

Nighttime sleep begins earlier, with your infant falling asleep between 7-9 p.m. It’s early enough for mum and dad to have some time to themselves! During the night, the longest sleeping stretch normally lasts 7 to 10 hours.

Heads Up: You should be aware that your child is now a toddler (some even start at 8 to 9 months). Communicating with children of this age necessitates a completely different set of tools and expectations. You’ll uncover quick and easy ways to improve emotional strength, patience, and temper tantrums by listening to music. You may now add a silky blanket the size of a handkerchief or a soft plush animal the size of a hand to the crib!

Final Thoughts on Baby Sleep Schedules

Because every infant is different, your child’s routine may alter significantly from the ones shown above. You should be snoozing blissfully in no time if you’re armed with the correct information and resources! Check out these other fantastic sleep tips for babies and toddlers.

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