Baby Sleep Schedule by Age
Medically reviewed by Safi Ullah Khan
Medically reviewed by Safi Ullah Khan · Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 21 October 2026
Quick answer: A baby sleep schedule by age: newborns sleep 14-17 hours in short stretches; from 4 to 12 months the AAP-endorsed range is 12-16 hours including 2-4 naps; from 1 to 2 years it's 11-14 hours with 1-2 naps. Wake windows grow from under an hour to 4-6 hours. Always follow safe sleep guidance.
TL;DR
- Total sleep falls from 14-17 h (newborn) to 11-14 h (toddler).
- Naps drop from 4-5 to 1 by about 15-18 months.
- Back to sleep, alone, flat and firm, every sleep.
Use this baby sleep schedule by age to see how much sleep is typical, how many naps to expect and how long babies can comfortably stay awake. Each age has its own page with a sample day.
Baby sleep chart: newborn to 18 months
| Age | Total sleep (24 h) | Naps | Wake windows | Bedtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| newborn | 14-17 hours | 4-8 irregular sleeps | 35-60 minutes | no fixed bedtime yet |
| 1-month-old | 14-17 hours | 4-6 naps | 60-90 minutes (often under an hour early in the month) | late evening, often 9-11 pm |
| 2-month-old | 14-17 hours | 4-5 naps | 60-90 minutes | drifting earlier, often 8-10 pm |
| 3-month-old | 14-17 hours | 4 naps (3-5) | 75 minutes-2 hours | 7:00-8:30 pm |
| 4-month-old | 12-16 hours including naps | 3-4 naps | 1.5-2.5 hours | 6:30-8:00 pm |
| 5-month-old | 12-16 hours | 3 naps | 2-2.5 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 6-month-old | 12-16 hours | 2-3 naps | 2-3 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 7-month-old | 12-16 hours | 2-3 naps | 2.5-3.5 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 8-month-old | 12-16 hours | 2 naps | 2.5-3.5 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 9-month-old | 12-16 hours | 2 naps | 3-3.5 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 10-month-old | 12-16 hours | 2 naps | 3-4 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 11-month-old | 12-16 hours | 2 naps | 3-4 hours | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 12-month-old | 11-14 hours from 12 months | 1-2 naps | 3-4 hours (5-6 hours on one nap) | 6:30-7:30 pm |
| 12- to 18-month-old | 11-14 hours | 1-2 naps, moving to 1 | 4-6 hours once on one nap | 6:30-7:30 pm |
Where these numbers come from
Total sleep ranges for 4 months and up come from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendations endorsed by the AAP. There's no official target under 4 months; we use the commonly cited 14-17 hours. Wake windows and nap counts are common practice from pediatric sleep resources, not formal guidelines, so treat them as a starting point. Try the wake window calculator and nap schedule calculator.
Safe sleep for every schedule
The AAP recommends placing babies on their back for every sleep, on a firm, flat surface with no soft objects, room-sharing without bed-sharing, and avoiding inclined sleepers. Read safe sleep basics.
Sleep regressions
Many families notice tougher sleep around 4 months, 8-10 months, 12 months and 18 months, often alongside new skills. They usually pass in 2-6 weeks. See the 4-month sleep regression and the sleep regression calculator.
Tracking sleep
Log naps and night sleep with start and end times in Tot to see daily totals and trends by day and week. Tot is a log, not a baby monitor. See the baby sleep tracker.
Related: baby feeding chart by month · baby development month by month · how much sleep a baby needs · baby sleep schedule tool
Download Tot free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional Premium.
Sources
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: Healthy Sleep Habits, How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?: www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: Getting Your Baby to Sleep: www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe (AAP policy explained): www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
- NHS: Helping your baby to sleep: www.nhs.uk (accessed 21 October 2026)
- NICHD Safe to Sleep: Ways to reduce the risk of SIDS: safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov (accessed 21 October 2026)
Medical disclaimer:
Tot and this website give general information only. Feeding, sleep and growth ranges vary; always follow your pediatrician's advice. If your baby is unwell, contact your doctor or emergency services.
FAQ
How much sleep does a baby need?
Newborns about 14-17 hours; 4-12 months 12-16 hours including naps; 1-2 years 11-14 hours (AAP-endorsed).
How many naps by age?
Roughly 4-5 naps at 2-3 months, 3 at 5-6 months, 2 from about 7-8 months, and 1 between 12 and 18 months.
What are wake windows?
The time your baby is awake between sleeps, from under an hour in newborns to 4-6 hours on one nap.
What time should a baby go to bed?
From about 3-4 months many babies settle into a bedtime between 6:30 and 8:00 pm.
Is it OK if my baby doesn't follow a schedule?
Yes. These are averages. Follow sleepy cues and safe sleep rules.
Related guides
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