If you have ever stared at the clock at 3 a.m. wondering whether your baby is sleeping "enough," you are in very good company. Baby sleep changes fast in the first year. What worked at six weeks may fall apart at four months, and by the first birthday your little one may be down to just two naps.
This guide walks through a typical baby sleep schedule by age, from the newborn weeks to 12 months. Use it as a map, not a rulebook. Every baby is different, and a healthy, growing baby who sleeps a little more or less than the ranges below is usually perfectly fine.
How much sleep do babies need?
Pediatric sleep experts generally recommend roughly 14 to 17 hours of total sleep per 24 hours for newborns and 12 to 16 hours (including naps) for babies aged 4 to 12 months. That total is spread across nighttime sleep and daytime naps, and the balance between the two shifts steadily over the first year.
Here is an at-a-glance overview:
| Age | Total sleep (24 h) | Naps per day | Night sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–6 weeks | 14–17 hours | Many, irregular | 8–9 hours, in short stretches |
| 6 weeks–3 months | 14–16 hours | 4–5 | 9–10 hours, with feeds |
| 4–5 months | 12–16 hours | 3–4 | 10–11 hours, often with feeds |
| 6–8 months | 12–15 hours | 2–3 | 10–12 hours |
| 9–12 months | 12–14 hours | 2 | 11–12 hours |
These numbers are typical ranges, not targets. Night sleep in the first months almost always includes wake-ups for feeding, and that is normal and healthy.
Newborn sleep (0–6 weeks)
In the first weeks, there is no real schedule, and that is okay. Newborns sleep in short bursts of 2 to 4 hours around the clock because their tiny stomachs need frequent feeds. They also have not yet developed a circadian rhythm, so day and night look the same to them.
- Feed on demand. Your pediatrician may advise waking a newborn for feeds until they regain their birth weight.
- Expect short awake times. Many newborns can only stay happily awake for 45 to 60 minutes before they need to sleep again.
- Help set their body clock. Bright light and normal household noise during the day, dim and quiet at night.
For more on getting through this stage, see our newborn first weeks survival guide.
6 weeks to 3 months
Somewhere in this window, many parents notice the first hints of a pattern. The longest stretch of sleep often starts to land at night, and your baby may be awake a bit longer between naps (roughly 60 to 90 minutes).
Naps are still frequent and often short, sometimes just 30 to 45 minutes. That is developmentally normal. Around this age is a great time to introduce a simple, predictable bedtime routine, even if bedtime itself is still fairly late.
4 to 5 months
This is a big transition period. Sleep matures and becomes more adult-like, which is why many families experience the 4-month sleep regression. At the same time, many babies become ready for a more predictable rhythm.
- Most babies take 3 to 4 naps a day.
- Wake windows lengthen to roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
- An earlier bedtime, often between 6:30 and 8 p.m., tends to work well.
Sample 4-month schedule
- 7:00 a.m. – Wake and feed
- 8:45 a.m. – Nap 1
- 12:00 p.m. – Nap 2
- 3:00 p.m. – Nap 3
- 5:30 p.m. – Short catnap (if needed)
- 7:30 p.m. – Bedtime routine, then sleep
6 to 8 months
Around six months, many babies drop to three naps, and by eight months often to two. Naps tend to lengthen and become more consolidated, and night sleep usually becomes more settled, though plenty of babies still wake at night for comfort or feeds.
Wake windows are now roughly 2 to 3.5 hours. If your baby fights the third nap or the late-afternoon nap pushes bedtime too late, that is often a sign they are ready to transition. Our nap transitions guide covers how to make the switch smoothly.
Sample 7-month schedule (2 naps)
- 6:45 a.m. – Wake
- 9:30 a.m. – Nap 1 (about 1–1.5 hours)
- 2:00 p.m. – Nap 2 (about 1–1.5 hours)
- 6:45 p.m. – Bedtime routine
- 7:15 p.m. – Asleep
9 to 12 months
By now, most babies settle into a steady two-nap schedule: one mid-morning and one early afternoon. Night sleep of 11 to 12 hours is common, and wake windows stretch to about 3 to 4 hours.
Developmental leaps can shake things up here. Crawling, pulling to stand, separation anxiety and teething can all bring a few rough nights. Consistency in your routine usually helps things settle back down within a week or two.
Signs your baby is getting enough sleep
Instead of chasing an exact number of hours, look at the bigger picture. A baby who is getting enough sleep usually:
- Wakes up mostly content, not consistently cranky
- Has periods of calm, alert play during the day
- Falls asleep without an extreme battle most of the time
- Is feeding well and growing along their curve
Frequent short naps, rubbing eyes shortly after waking, or intense fussiness at bedtime can point to overtiredness. Learning your baby's wake windows is one of the most useful tools for getting timing right.
Tips for building a healthy sleep rhythm
- Anchor the morning. A fairly consistent wake-up time helps the rest of the day fall into place.
- Get daylight early. Morning light helps your baby's internal clock mature.
- Keep nights boring. Dim lights, quiet voices and minimal stimulation during night feeds.
- Use a short, predictable bedtime routine. The same few steps in the same order signal that sleep is coming.
- Follow safe sleep basics every time. Baby on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in an empty crib or bassinet. Read our full safe sleep guidelines.
Some parents also find it easier to relax during naps when they can check in without opening the nursery door. A simple setup like BlinkBaby, which turns a spare iPhone into a camera and alerts your phone when it detects crying, lets you rest in another room while still keeping an ear out.
When to talk to your pediatrician
Sleep varies widely, but check in with your pediatrician if your baby:
- Is unusually hard to wake or seems very drowsy all the time
- Snores loudly, pauses in breathing or struggles to breathe during sleep
- Is not feeding well, has fewer wet diapers, or is not gaining weight
- Has sudden, persistent changes in sleep along with fever or other signs of illness
Trust your instincts. You know your baby best, and it is always okay to ask.
The bottom line
A baby sleep schedule by age is a helpful guide, but your baby is the real expert. Expect total sleep to drift from around 14 to 17 hours in the newborn weeks to about 12 to 14 hours by the first birthday, with naps shrinking from "all day" to two. Watch your baby's cues, keep routines simple and consistent, and remember that rough patches are temporary. You are doing better than you think.