How Long Should My Baby Sleep During The Day?
Ah, the eternal question for parents: How long is my baby supposed to sleep during the day? If you’re reading this, you’ve probably Googled this question at 3 a.m. while pacing the room, bouncing a fussy baby, and sipping coffee that’s more tears than caffeine. Fear not! Here’s the lowdown on baby sleep patterns, sprinkled with a bit of humor to keep you awake (and sane).
The Magic Math of Baby Sleep
Babies are magical creatures. They can’t talk, they can’t walk, but they can somehow defy the laws of sleep in ways you didn’t think were possible. Their sleep needs vary by age, and their daytime naps are just as important as their overnight snoozing (yes, those blissful 11-12 hours… in a perfect world).
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Newborns (0-2 months): These tiny bundles of joy can sleep anywhere from 16-20 hours in a 24-hour period. Day naps? Multiple. Their schedule is as unpredictable as the weather, so just roll with it. They’ll fall asleep in your arms, on the couch, or mid-cry. (Pro tip: Sleep when they sleep. No, seriously.)
2-4 months: Babies are still rocking 16-18 hours of total sleep. Day naps are frequent, and their main hobbies are snoozing and looking adorable.
4-5 months: At this stage, you’ll start seeing some order. They’ll clock in 14-16.5 hours of total sleep, with 4-5 daytime naps. Yes, FIVE. Your baby is essentially a cat.
6-8 months: Sleep drops to 14-16.5 hours total, with about 3-4 naps per day. These naps are shorter but still sacred. Enjoy the silence while it lasts.
9-12 months: Two daytime naps are the norm now, with 14-15 hours of total sleep. Don’t get too excited, though—they might start testing your patience with nap resistance.
12-18 months: The transition begins. Say goodbye to two naps and hello to one long midday nap. Total sleep is 13-15 hours.
18-36 months: Total sleep dips to 12-14 hours, and naps may fade away. (Cue dramatic music.)
3 years and up: By now, your toddler is a seasoned pro at skipping naps, clocking in 11-12 hours of nighttime sleep. Naps? A distant memory—unless they fall asleep face-first in their lunch.
Tips to Help Your Baby Nap Like a Pro
Routine is key. Babies love structure (even if they pretend they don’t). Keep naps at the same time every day.
Create a cozy nap zone. Think darkness, soft sounds, and a temperature-controlled room—basically, a baby spa.
Watch for sleep cues. Pink eyebrows and zoned out? Time to put them down for a snooze. Eye rubbing, yawning, and fussiness? Hurry and to the cot, before they reach meltdown mode.
Don’t fight the nap transitions. When your baby starts refusing their second or third nap, it’s time to accept the change (and cry into your coffee).
don’t beat yourself up about it
Babies may not come with an instruction manual, but they do come with ever-changing sleep patterns. The good news? They’ll (eventually) sleep through the night and nap less during the day. The bad news? They’ll (eventually) grow up and stop napping entirely. Enjoy these moments—both the sleepy and sleepless ones—because before you know it, you’ll be Googling, "Why won’t my teenager wake up before noon?"
And hey if you need the extra support, you got me. A professional is sometimes what we need to stay on track - I’ll happily be your sleep consultant of choice and work with you on a 1:1 personalised basis. Sound intriguing? Have a look at my sleep packages here.
Night night,
Anete
