New parents quickly discover that babies don't sleep like adults. They sleep in short bursts, they wake up at bizarre hours, and their patterns change every few months. Here's what to expect at each stage and how to help your baby (and yourself) sleep better.
Total sleep: 14-17 hours per 24 hours
Sleep pattern: 2-4 hour blocks, no day/night distinction
Newborns don't have a circadian rhythm yet. They sleep when they're tired and eat when they're hungry, regardless of the clock. You can't establish a schedule at this age, and you shouldn't try. Just follow the baby's cues.
Total sleep: 12-16 hours per 24 hours
Naps: 3-4 per day, 30 minutes to 2 hours each
At this age, babies start developing a circadian rhythm. You may notice longer stretches of nighttime sleep (4-6 hours). A loose schedule starts to emerge.
Total sleep: 12-16 hours per 24 hours
Naps: 2-3 per day, transitioning to 2
Most babies drop the late afternoon nap around 6-9 months and consolidate to 2 naps. Nighttime sleep stretches to 10-12 hours with possibly 0-1 feedings.
Total sleep: 11-14 hours per 24 hours
Naps: 1-2 per day, transitioning to 1
Most babies drop the morning nap around 12-18 months, keeping the afternoon nap (12:30-2:30 PM). Bedtime may shift slightly earlier.
Plan your baby's sleep schedule with our free Sleep Calculator.
Most sleep training methods are appropriate from 4-6 months, when babies are developmentally capable of self-soothing. Before 4 months, focus on establishing routines rather than formal training. Talk to your pediatrician about which method is right for your family.
In the early months, yes, if the nap is very long (more than 3 hours) or if it's interfering with feeding schedules. After 6 months, you generally don't need to wake from naps unless the nap is pushing bedtime too late.
Babies often wake from naps in a different sleep stage than nighttime sleep, which can cause disorientation and crying. Give them a few minutes to settle before going in. They usually calm down on their own.