If you’ve found yourself googling at 3 a.m., bleary-eyed and bouncing a baby who refuses to settle, I want you to know something first: there is no single “right” schedule, and the fact that you’re looking means you’re a wonderful, attentive mama. Sleep in the first year is less a straight line and more a winding road with plenty of detours, and that’s completely normal. What helps most isn’t a rigid clock you have to obey, but a gentle sense of what’s typical at each stage so you can read your own baby with confidence.
That’s exactly what this baby sleep schedule by month guide gives you: realistic, age-by-age sample rhythms from those foggy newborn weeks all the way to the busy 12-month mark. We’ll cover wake windows, how many naps to expect, total sleep, the longest night stretch you can reasonably hope for, and when those nap transitions tend to happen. Use these as flexible maps, not strict rules, and always pair them with safe sleep practices. Your baby is the real expert here, and you’re learning their language a little more every single day.
How to use this baby sleep schedule by month guide
Before we dive in, a few gentle reminders. Every baby is unique, so think in ranges, not exact minutes. “Wake windows” simply mean how long your baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps before they get overtired. Catching that sweet spot, when they’re tired but not melting down, makes falling asleep so much easier for everyone.
And the non-negotiable that underpins all of it: safe sleep first. Always place your baby on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in their own crib or bassinet with no loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, or toys. A wearable blanket keeps them cozy without the risk. If you want a deeper foundation before reading the monthly breakdowns, this gentle survival guide to baby sleep in the first year is a warm place to start.
Newborn (0 to 6 weeks): sleep all day, all night, in pieces
Newborns sleep a lot, just not in the chunks you’d hope for. Expect roughly 14 to 17 hours total in any 24-hour period, scattered across day and night with little regard for your clock. There’s no real “schedule” yet, and that’s okay.
- Wake windows: 35 to 60 minutes (yes, that short).
- Naps per day: 4 to 6 (often more, often blurry).
- Longest night stretch: 2 to 4 hours, driven by hunger.
This stage is about survival and snuggles, not training. Feed on demand, sleep when you can, and don’t worry about day-night confusion yet. For a fuller picture of this tender phase, our newborn sleep schedule walks you through it day by day.
2 months: the first hints of rhythm
Around 8 weeks, you may notice a slightly longer stretch at night, which feels like a small miracle. Total sleep is about 14 to 16 hours.
- Wake windows: 60 to 90 minutes.
- Naps per day: 4 to 5, still somewhat irregular.
- Longest night stretch: 4 to 6 hours on a good night.
A simple, calming bedtime routine, dim lights, a feed, a fresh sleep sack, a quiet cuddle, can gently teach your baby that nighttime is for sleeping.
3 months: a loose pattern emerges
By three months, naps start to feel a little more predictable, though the famous “4-month sleep regression” may be on the horizon. Total sleep stays around 14 to 16 hours.
- Wake windows: 75 to 120 minutes.
- Naps per day: 3 to 4.
- Longest night stretch: 5 to 8 hours for many babies.
You might see an earlier, more consistent bedtime (somewhere between 7 and 8 p.m.) settling in. Follow your baby’s tired cues rather than forcing the clock.
4 months: regression and reorganization
Ah, four months. If sleep suddenly gets bumpier here, you’re not doing anything wrong. Your baby’s sleep cycles are maturing, which can mean more night wakings temporarily. Total sleep is about 12 to 16 hours.
- Wake windows: 90 minutes to 2 hours.
- Naps per day: 3 to 4 (transitioning toward 3).
- Longest night stretch: 6 to 8 hours, though regression nights may be shorter.
This is a great moment to lean into your routine and let baby practice settling. It passes, I promise.
Want the cozy, safe-sleep essentials in one place?
A well-fitting sleep sack keeps your little one warm without loose blankets, and it becomes a soothing bedtime cue at every age. For the full picture of these first 12 months, bookmark our first-year baby sleep guide, and revisit the newborn sleep schedule whenever you need a reminder of how far you’ve already come.
5 to 6 months: more consolidated nights
This stage often feels like a turning point. Nights tend to consolidate, and naps become more reliable. Total sleep lands around 12 to 15 hours.
- Wake windows: 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Naps per day: 3 (often dropping to a solid 3-nap rhythm).
- Longest night stretch: 6 to 10 hours for many babies.
Sample 5 to 6 month day
- Wake around 7:00 a.m.
- Morning nap around 9:00 a.m.
- Midday nap around 12:30 p.m.
- Late nap around 3:30 p.m.
- Bedtime around 7:00 p.m.
7 to 9 months: the two-nap shift
Somewhere in this window, most babies transition from three naps to two, usually a longer morning nap and a midday nap. Total sleep is around 12 to 15 hours.
- Wake windows: 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
- Naps per day: 2.
- Longest night stretch: 8 to 11 hours, sometimes all the way through.
Teething, crawling, and separation anxiety can stir up extra wakings here. Stay consistent and comforting; developmental leaps settle down.
10 to 12 months: settling into two solid naps
By the end of the first year, many babies are sleeping a lovely long stretch at night with two dependable naps. Total sleep is about 12 to 14 hours.
- Wake windows: 3 to 4 hours.
- Naps per day: 2 (some early signs of the 1-nap transition, but that usually comes after 12 months).
- Longest night stretch: 10 to 12 hours for many.
Sample 10 to 12 month day
- Wake around 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.
- Morning nap around 9:30 a.m.
- Afternoon nap around 2:00 p.m.
- Bedtime around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Resist dropping to one nap too early, fighting a nap for a few days is often a temporary phase, not a true transition.
Gentle tips for smoother sleep at any age
- Watch the baby, not the clock. Tired cues (yawning, glazed eyes, fussing) are more reliable than exact times.
- Keep a consistent wind-down. The same few calming steps signal “sleep is coming.”
- Expect regressions around leaps. 4, 8, and 12 months often bring temporary bumps.
- Protect safe sleep every time. Back to sleep, bare crib, sleep sack instead of blankets.
Frequently asked questions
When will my baby sleep through the night?
“Sleeping through” usually means a 6 to 8 hour stretch, and many babies reach it somewhere between 4 and 6 months, though plenty take longer. Night feeds are normal and necessary for younger babies. If your little one still wakes, you’re not behind, every baby’s timeline is different and equally okay.
How do I know it’s time to drop a nap?
Watch for consistent signs over one to two weeks: your baby fights a nap, takes much longer to fall asleep, or starts waking earlier or resisting bedtime. A few off days aren’t enough. When the pattern sticks, slowly stretch wake windows and shift to the new rhythm gradually.
What should my baby wear to sleep safely?
Dress your baby in one layer more than you’d wear, then add a wearable sleep sack instead of loose blankets, which aren’t safe in the crib. Keep the room comfortably cool, around 68 to 72°F. A snug, age-appropriate sleep sack keeps them cozy and removes suffocation risks.
My baby’s schedule looks nothing like these. Should I worry?
Almost certainly not. These are averages, not benchmarks to hit. Healthy babies vary widely in nap counts, wake windows, and night stretches. As long as your baby is feeding well, growing, and generally content during waking hours, trust your instincts. When in doubt, your pediatrician is always your best partner.