From Certified Sleep Consultant Debbie Fazio
Many new parents are concerned their baby is not getting enough sleep. Here is a guide of approximately how much sleep your baby needs by age. Please keep in mind that baby must be eating well to encourage longer sleeps and that parents should always speak to their doctor or a sleep consultant for more specific information on their situation.
Babies 0-2 months will spend more of their time sleeping. They may have wakes that last between 30-60 minutes depending on how long your baby can handle being happy awake. Your baby
should be sleeping approx. 8-10 hours in the day with feeds in between and an additional 8-10 hours per night which may also include 2-3 feeds.
Babies 2-4 months may start to shorten their day sleep but have longer stretches overnight. Babies of this age should be sleeping approximately 7-9 hours in the day with feeds in between and approximately 8 hours overnight with possibly 1-2 feeds.
Babies 4-8 months can start to work towards a regular schedule. Having a 1.5-2 hour nap in the morning and again in the after, then 1 short evening nap a around 30-60 minutes and finally sleeping though the night for 10-12 hours with 0-1 feeds.
Babies 8-12 months will eliminate their final evening catnap and only sleep 2 times a day from about 1.5- 2 hours per nap then sleeping through the night for approx. 10-12 hours.
Many new parents are concerned their baby is not getting enough sleep. Here is a guide of approximately how much sleep your baby needs by age. Please keep in mind that baby must be eating well to encourage longer sleeps and that parents should always speak to their doctor or a sleep consultant for more specific information on their situation.
Babies 0-2 months will spend more of their time sleeping. They may have wakes that last between 30-60 minutes depending on how long your baby can handle being happy awake. Your baby
should be sleeping approx. 8-10 hours in the day with feeds in between and an additional 8-10 hours per night which may also include 2-3 feeds.
Babies 2-4 months may start to shorten their day sleep but have longer stretches overnight. Babies of this age should be sleeping approximately 7-9 hours in the day with feeds in between and approximately 8 hours overnight with possibly 1-2 feeds.
Babies 4-8 months can start to work towards a regular schedule. Having a 1.5-2 hour nap in the morning and again in the after, then 1 short evening nap a around 30-60 minutes and finally sleeping though the night for 10-12 hours with 0-1 feeds.
Babies 8-12 months will eliminate their final evening catnap and only sleep 2 times a day from about 1.5- 2 hours per nap then sleeping through the night for approx. 10-12 hours.
Babies over 12 months may
need to move to 1 nap a day ranging from 1.5-2 hours and sleeping through the
night for 10-12 hours.