Science of baby sleep
Baby sleep schedule: A guide to year one
By Cradlewise Staff
Science of baby sleep
Baby sleep schedule: A guide to year one
By Cradlewise Staff
Congrats! Your baby’s first year of life is an exciting whirlwind journey, full of milestones and magic. We’re not going to lie, at first, it’s an around-the-clock cycle of sleep, eat, and repeat. A newborn’s sleep is usually all over the place, so expect to be low on zzz’s and reaching for coffee frequently.
Soon enough though, you’ll get into a rhythm with your baby’s sleep schedule, and within months your baby’s sleep will become more regulated. Here’s an overview of what your baby’s sleep schedule might look like in their first year. Remember, this sleep schedule is just an example. Every baby is different, and you know what works best for you and your family.
1-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 1-month-old
Around 16 to 17 hours within a 24-hour period.
- The 1-month-old wake window
The term “wake window” refers to baby’s waking hours between naps.
A 1-month-old’s wake windows are short: Usually 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- How many naps for a 1-month-old?
You can expect baby to nap for 6 to 7.5 hours a day, broken up into 4 to 5 naps.
- Bedtime for a 1-month-old
Babies at 4 weeks old can’t recognize a bedtime routine, but the calming and soothing effect it has pays off. 8:30 p.m. is a good time to put them to bed.
Read our detailed 1-month-old baby sleep guide.
Crib Notes
While you’re learning your little one’s sleep schedule, so is Cradlewise! It can recognize early signs of waking and soothe the baby back to sleep if needed.
Crib Notes
While you’re learning your little one’s sleep schedule, so is Cradlewise! It can recognize early signs of waking and soothe the baby back to sleep if needed.
2-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 2-month-old
Around 14 to 17 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 2-month-old wake window
Not more than 2 hours at a time.
- How many naps for a 2-month-old?
At the 2-month mark, your baby will still be taking 4 to 5 naps a day, totaling roughly 6 to 7.5 hours of sleep.
- Bedtime for a 2-month-old
During month 2, some babies are ready to shift to an early bedtime. So gradually putting them down earlier, say at 6:30 p.m., can help prevent overstimulation.
Read our detailed 2-month-old baby sleep guide.
3-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 3-month-old
Around 15 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 3-month-old wake window
90 minutes to 2 hours.
- How many naps for a 3-month-old?
Yay! Your baby is now awake more often, napping for 4 to 5 hours during the day, broken up into four naps.
- Bedtime for a 3-month-old
Stick to an early bedtime to avoid overstimulation: Between 7 and 8 p.m. is a good time for bed.
Read our detailed 3-month-old baby sleep guide.
4-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 4-month-old
Around 13 to 15 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 4-month-old wake window
1.5 to 2 hours.
- How many naps for a 4-month-old?
Your baby’s nap routine remains steady at 3 to 4 naps each day, for roughly 90 minutes per nap.
- Bedtime for a 4-month-old
7 p.m., with possibly one late-night feeding.
Read our detailed 4-month-old baby sleep guide.
5-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 5-month-old
Around 14.5 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 5-month-old wake window
2 to 3 hours.
- How many naps for a 5-month-old?
2 to 3 naps spaced out across the day, about 90 minutes per nap.
- Bedtime for a 5-month-old
7 p.m. with possibly one late-night feeding.
Read our detailed 5-month-old baby sleep guide.
6-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 6-month-old
Around 14.5 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 6-month-old wake window
2.5 to 3.5 hours.
- How many naps for a 6-month-old?
2 to 3 short naps spaced out across the day, about 90 minutes per nap. Babies at this age may drop their third nap of the day.
- Bedtime for a 6-month-old
Stick to a 7 p.m. bedtime. The good news is that two-thirds of babies at this age sleep six to eight hours uninterrupted, which means better nighttime sleep for you.
Read our detailed 6-month-old baby sleep guide.
7-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 7-month-old
Around 12-16 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 7-month-old wake window
2.5 to 3.5 hours at a stretch.
- How many naps for a 7-month-old?
2 to 3 hours of nap time spaced out over 2 to 3 short naps. As babies spend less time asleep during the day, their nighttime sleep stretches become longer.
- Bedtime for a 7-month-old
Remember that bedtime routine we recommended (jammies, bath, lullaby)? Here’s where baby will start to recognize those cues and prepare to sleep. 7 p.m. will continue to be an ideal bedtime.
Read our detailed 7-month-old baby sleep guide.
8-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for an 8-month-old
Around 12 to 16 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 8-month-old wake window
Around 2 to 3.5 hours, but this number may vary as babies transition from 3 to 2 naps around the 8-month mark.
- How many naps for an 8-month-old?
Two 2-hour naps, but some babies might still need 3 naps a day.
- Bedtime for an 8-month-old
Around 8 months, you can adjust your baby’s bedtime, but sleep experts recommend putting babies to bed no later than 8 p.m. to avoid sleep disturbances and nighttime awakenings.
Read our detailed 8-month-old baby sleep guide.
9-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 9-month-old
Around 12 to 16 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 9-month-old wake window
3 to 4.5 hours.
- How many naps for a 9-month-old?
Two 2-hour naps, but some babies might nap longer.
- Bedtime for a 9-month-old
Stick to the same schedule of bedtime before 8 p.m., but if baby is resisting their usual bedtime, you might need to increase wake windows or drop a nap.
Read our detailed 9-month-old baby sleep guide.
10-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 10-month-old
Around 12 to 16 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 10-month-old wake window
3 to 4.5 hours.
- How many naps for a 10-month-old?
Two 2-hour naps
- Bedtime for a 10-month-old
Stick to a bedtime before 8 p.m. It may be tempting to let your older baby stay awake to play or to tire them out, but overtired babies will often refuse to sleep. So, consistency is key. Stick to your routine and speak to your pediatrician about sleep training if you think it will be helpful.
Read our detailed 10-month-old baby sleep guide.
11-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for an 11-month-old
Around 12 to 16 hours within a 24-hour period.
- 11-month-old wake window
3 to 4.5 hours.
- How many naps for an 11-month-old?
Two 2-hour naps
- Bedtime for an 11-month-old
By 11 months, your baby is aware of how much fun it is to stay awake — and might refuse bedtimes or nap times. Stay consistent with a bedtime by 8 p.m.: Sleep begets sleep.
Read our detailed 11-month-old baby sleep guide.
12-month-old sleep schedule
- Total sleep for a 12-month-old
11 to 14 hours within a 24-hour period: At this age, babies’ sleep needs decrease slightly.
- 12-month-old wake window
3.5 to 4.5 hours.
- How many naps for a 12-month-old?
2
- Bedtime for a 12-month-old
Keep up with your established bedtime routine of sleep by 8 p.m.
Read our detailed 12-month-old baby sleep guide.
Tips for getting your little one on a schedule
- Look out for sleep cues like fussing, eye rubbing, or the obvious one, yawning.
- Start a bedtime routine from day 1: A lullaby or gentle music, a bath, and fresh jammies.
- Trying to reduce naps while out & about can reinforce the idea that the crib is the place for sleeping.
- Dim the lights at bedtime so your baby will associate low light with sleeping.
- Be flexible. If they had shorter naps, were a little unwell, or had a busy day, it’s okay to put them to bed earlier.
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