By Erica Lötter, certified baby sleep consultant · Ages Newborn – 3 years · 5 min read · Updated
The short answer
Babies aged 4–12 months need 12–16 hours of sleep in 24 hours (including naps), and toddlers aged 1–2 need 11–14 hours, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Newborns sleep around 14–17 hours in short bursts around the clock. Most babies drop from 3 naps to 2 between 6 and 9 months, and to 1 nap between 13 and 18 months.
Baby sleep chart
Use these as typical ranges, not rules. Every baby is different — watch your baby’s tired signs as well as the clock.
| Age | Total sleep in 24 hours | Naps | Typical awake time between sleeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 14–17 hours* | Many, irregular | 45–90 minutes |
| 4–6 months | 12–16 hours | 3 naps | 1½–2½ hours |
| 7–9 months | 12–16 hours | 2–3 naps | 2½–3 hours |
| 10–12 months | 12–16 hours | 2 naps | 3–4 hours |
| 13–18 months | 11–14 hours | 1–2 naps | 4–5 hours |
| 2–3 years | 11–14 hours (10–13 from age 3) | 1 nap | 5–6 hours |
*The AASM does not set a recommendation for babies under 4 months because sleep varies so widely; 14–17 hours is the range commonly quoted for newborns. Awake times are typical ranges used by sleep consultants, not medical guidelines.
Signs your baby is ready for sleep
- Early signs: yawning, staring into the distance, red eyebrows or eyelids, losing interest in toys or people.
- Late signs (overtired): rubbing eyes, pulling ears, arching, fussing, crying hard.
- Aim to start the nap or bedtime routine at the early signs. Once a baby is overtired it is harder for them to fall and stay asleep.
A sample day for a 6-month-old
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 06:30 | Wake up, milk feed |
| 08:45 | Nap 1 (about 1–1½ hours) |
| 10:15 | Wake, milk feed, solids as advised by your clinic |
| 12:45 | Nap 2 (about 1–1½ hours) |
| 14:15 | Wake, milk feed |
| 16:30 | Short nap 3 (30–45 minutes) |
| 18:00 | Start bedtime routine (bath, massage, pyjamas, story, feed) |
| 18:45 | In the cot, drowsy but awake |
When to drop a nap
- Your baby takes a long time (20 minutes or more) to fall asleep for a nap, or plays happily through it, for a week or more.
- The last nap pushes bedtime too late, or night sleep starts breaking up.
- Early-morning waking appears without another cause.
Need a schedule that fits your family?
Charts give a starting point, but your baby’s temperament, feeding, day-care hours and your own routine all matter. Erica builds a written routine around your baby and your household — book a consultation or start with the intake questionnaire.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should a 6-month-old sleep?
A 6-month-old typically needs 12–16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, usually around 10–12 hours at night plus 3 naps during the day.
When do babies go down to one nap?
Most children move from two naps to one between about 13 and 18 months. Moving too early often leads to overtiredness and early waking.
What time should my baby go to bed?
For most babies over about 3 months, a bedtime between 18:00 and 19:30 works well. The right time depends on when the last nap ends.
Sources
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine — Recommended amount of sleep for children (2016 consensus)
- American Academy of Pediatrics — A parent’s guide to safe sleep (HealthyChildren.org)
This guide is general information to support healthy, full-term babies and is not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your doctor or clinic.