Baby Sleep Schedule by Age — Newborn to 12 Months

When you're wondering whether your baby is getting enough sleep, it can help to have a sleep schedule as a reference. Not as a rigid plan you need to follow minute by minute, but as a guide for what's typical and realistic.

Here are practical sample sleep schedules for babies from 0 to 12 months, based on recommendations from the AAP and WHO.

How Much Sleep Does a Baby Need?

Before looking at the schedules, it's helpful to know what's normal:

These figures are based on AAP recommendations. There is significant individual variation, and most babies fall within a broad normal range.

Sleep Schedule: Newborn (0–6 Weeks)

The first weeks have little structure. The baby sleeps when tired and eats when hungry. That's exactly right.

Typical day:

• The baby sleeps 15–18 hours, spread across many short periods
• Wake window: only 45–60 minutes before the baby is tired again
• No fixed bedtime — the circadian rhythm hasn't developed yet
• Nighttime sleep is broken up by feedings every 2–3 hours

Sample daily routine (as a guide):

Tips for this age:

• Don't worry about routines yet. Follow your baby's needs.
• Always place the baby on their back (back to sleep).
• Make sure the baby gets daylight during the day — it helps the circadian rhythm develop.

Sleep Schedule: 6–12 Weeks

Now the baby is slowly starting to distinguish between day and night. You can gently begin a simple evening routine.

Typical day:

• 14–17 hours total sleep
• 4–5 naps during the day
• Wake window: 60–90 minutes
• Nighttime sleep is starting to get longer (3–4 hours at a stretch)

Sample daily routine:

Tips for this age:

• Start a simple evening routine: bath, feeding, song, put down.
• Keep daytime naps in a well-lit room with normal household sounds.
• Nighttime feedings should be calm, with minimal light and stimulation.

Sleep Schedule: 3–4 Months

Around 3–4 months, sleep patterns develop. Many parents experience the 4-month sleep regression during this period. Naps may become shorter and more unpredictable.

Typical day:

• 12–15 hours of sleep
• 3–4 naps during the day
• Wake window: 75–120 minutes
• Nighttime sleep: 6–10 hours with 1–3 feedings

Sample daily routine:

Tips for this age:

• If the baby only sleeps 30–45 minutes per nap, that's normal. Sleep cycles are still maturing.
• Try putting the baby down while drowsy but still awake.
• Use a Sleep Tracker to see if a pattern is forming.

Sleep Schedule: 5–6 Months

Many babies transition to three naps now. Sleep patterns become more predictable for most.

Typical day:

• 13–15 hours of sleep
• 3 naps (some drop the third nap around 6 months)
• Wake window: 2–2.5 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10–12 hours with 0–2 feedings

Sample daily routine:

Tips for this age:

• Solids typically start around 6 months. New foods should not be introduced right before bedtime.
• Some babies start sleeping through the night. Others still need 1–2 nighttime feedings — both are normal.
• The last afternoon nap shouldn't run too long, or bedtime can become difficult.

Sleep Schedule: 7–9 Months

Most babies now have 2–3 naps. Many drop the third nap during this period. Around 8 months, separation anxiety can affect sleep.

Typical day:

• 13–15 hours of sleep
• 2–3 naps (transition to 2 typically happens at 7–9 months)
• Wake window: 2.5–3 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10–12 hours with 0–1 feedings

Sample daily routine (2 naps):

Tips for this age:

• Separation anxiety is common now. Provide extra closeness and reassuring goodbyes.
• Two good naps are better than three short ones. Watch your baby's cues.
• Consistent routines are especially important now.

Sleep Schedule: 10–12 Months

The baby now has a clear 2-nap schedule and a stable evening routine. A 12-month sleep regression may temporarily disrupt the pattern.

Typical day:

• 12–14 hours of sleep
• 2 naps
• Wake window: 3–4 hours
• Nighttime sleep: 10–12 hours, many sleep through

Sample daily routine:

Tips for this age:

• The baby is starting to pull up and walk. This can temporarily disrupt sleep.
• A strong bedtime routine is your most important sleep tool.
• Many babies sleep 11–12 hours at night without needing a feeding.

How to Use This Sleep Schedule

A sleep schedule should be a support, not a source of stress. Here are some good principles:

Follow your baby, not the clock. Tiredness cues like yawning, eye-rubbing, and looking away are more important than a set time. Read more about baby sleep cues.

Be flexible. Some days the baby sleeps longer, other days shorter. Adjust the schedule based on how the day actually unfolds.

Adapt it for your family. Have another child? Work shifts? Adjust the times so they work for the whole family.

Use a Sleep Tracker to find the pattern. Instead of guessing your baby's rhythm, log sleep and see what actually works. Try the Sleep Tracker to see patterns over time.

When the Sleep Schedule Falls Apart

There will be periods when everything falls apart. That's completely normal and usually caused by:

• Sleep regressions — read our complete guide to sleep regressions
• Illness — babies sleep differently when sick
• Developmental leaps — new skills temporarily disrupt sleep
• Teething — can cause restlessness from around 4–6 months
• Changes in routine — starting daycare, vacation, moving

Go back to what worked once things settle down. Babies find their rhythm again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wake my baby from a long nap?

Generally no. But if an afternoon nap runs long and affects bedtime, you can gently wake the baby. Avoid letting the baby sleep past 4:30–5:00 PM if bedtime is around 7:00 PM.

When can I expect my baby to sleep through the night?

It varies enormously. According to the AAP, 2 out of 3 babies still wake at night at 6 months. By 9 months, around half sleep through. Nighttime feeding is normal throughout the entire first year.

What do I do if my baby only sleeps 30 minutes per nap?

Short naps (30–45 minutes) are very common, especially at 3–5 months. It means the baby wakes after one sleep cycle. Try putting the baby down a little earlier (before overtiredness sets in) and make sure the room is dark enough.

Should I follow the clock or my baby's cues?

Always prioritize your baby's cues. The schedules here are guides. Some babies need more sleep, others less. Use the Sleep Tracker to find your baby's individual rhythm.

Is it too late to start a sleep schedule at 8 months?

No, it's never too late to introduce more structure. Start with a consistent bedtime and evening routine, and adjust naps gradually.

Read More

• Baby Wake Windows — Complete Guide — How long should the baby be awake between naps?
• Baby Sleep Cues — Learn to read your baby's tiredness signals
• Sleep Needs by Age — How many hours of sleep does your baby need?
• Daytime Naps — Complete Guide — Everything about naps and transitioning between nap counts
• Sleep Tracker — Log and track your baby's sleep

Sources

1. AAP — How Much Sleep Does Your Child Need?
2. WHO — Child Development
3. CDC — Child Sleep
4. NIH — Infant Sleep