How Much Sleep Does My Baby Need? A Guide by Age
Every new parent wonders the same thing: "Is my baby sleeping enough?" The answer depends on age, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides clear guidelines. Here's what to expect from newborn through toddlerhood — and how to track whether your baby is hitting the mark.
How Much Sleep Does a Newborn Need?
Newborns (0–3 months) sleep a lot — but in short, unpredictable bursts. There's no established circadian rhythm yet, so day and night look the same to them.
Newborns typically sleep 14 to 17 hours per day, spread across multiple sleep periods of 2 to 4 hours each.
Source: AAP (2022)
At this age, it's normal for babies to wake every 2–3 hours to feed. Don't expect long stretches of night sleep yet — that comes later.
| Age | Total Sleep (24h) | Night Sleep | Daytime Naps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 month | 14–17 hours | 8–9 hours (fragmented) | 7–8 hours across 4–5 naps |
| 1–3 months | 14–17 hours | 8–10 hours | 5–7 hours across 3–4 naps |
How Much Sleep Does a 4- to 6-Month-Old Need?
This is when things start to settle. Most babies begin to consolidate night sleep and develop a more predictable nap schedule.
The AAP recommends that infants aged 4 to 12 months sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24-hour period, including naps.
Source: AAP (2022)
By 4 months, many babies can sleep 6–8 hour stretches at night. The "4-month sleep regression" is real — it's caused by a shift in sleep cycles, not a step backward.
| Age | Total Sleep (24h) | Night Sleep | Daytime Naps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4–6 months | 12–16 hours | 10–12 hours | 3–4 hours across 2–3 naps |
How Much Sleep Does a 6- to 12-Month-Old Need?
By 6 months, most babies have dropped to 2–3 naps per day. Night sleep becomes more reliable, and many babies sleep through the night (6+ hours) consistently.
| Age | Total Sleep (24h) | Night Sleep | Daytime Naps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–9 months | 12–16 hours | 10–12 hours | 2–3 hours across 2 naps |
| 9–12 months | 12–16 hours | 10–12 hours | 2–3 hours across 2 naps |
The 8–10 month sleep regression can disrupt things temporarily. It's often linked to developmental milestones like crawling, pulling up, or separation anxiety.
How Much Sleep Does a 1- to 2-Year-Old Need?
Toddlers (12–24 months) still need a surprising amount of sleep. Most transition from two naps to one nap around 12–18 months.
The AAP recommends that children aged 1 to 2 years sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24-hour period, including naps.
Source: AAP (2022)
| Age | Total Sleep (24h) | Night Sleep | Daytime Naps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–18 months | 11–14 hours | 10–12 hours | 1.5–3 hours across 1–2 naps |
| 18–24 months | 11–14 hours | 10–12 hours | 1.5–2.5 hours (1 nap) |
What Are Signs My Baby Isn't Sleeping Enough?
Watch for these signals that your baby may need more sleep:
- Fussiness and irritability that isn't explained by hunger, diaper, or discomfort
- Difficulty falling asleep — overtired babies often fight sleep harder
- Short naps (under 30 minutes consistently)
- Waking frequently at night beyond what's expected for their age
- Rubbing eyes, yawning, or zoning out during wake windows
If you're consistently seeing these signs, try adjusting bedtime earlier by 15–30 minutes.
How Can I Track My Baby's Sleep?
Tracking sleep helps you spot patterns and confirm your baby is within the recommended range. Babylitics makes this easy:
- Start a live timer when your baby falls asleep — stop it when they wake
- See total sleep per day compared against AAP recommendations for your baby's age
- View nap vs. night sleep breakdown to ensure the right balance
- Use the sleep schedule generator to get an ideal routine based on your baby's age
- Check the activity heatmap to see sleep patterns across the past 14 days
Every sleep session is automatically compared to AAP guidelines, so you always know if your baby is getting enough rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Track your baby's sleep and see how it compares to AAP recommendations — free for 15 days, no credit card required.