Babies need different amounts of sleep as they grow, and it’s natural for parents to wonder if their little one is getting enough. In the first year, newborn babies typically sleep around 16 hours over a 24-hour period, while by 12 months, they need about 13.5 hours. Daytime naps decrease from about 8 hours at birth to around 2.5 hours by their first birthday. Remember, every baby is unique — these are general guidelines, and your baby’s sleep needs may vary!
How much sleep should my baby be getting?
As a new parent, you’re bound to wonder if your baby is getting enough sleep.
Here are the hours of sleep your baby may need between the ages of one month and 12 months. But remember that every baby is different, and your little one may need more or less sleep than this.
How long do babies sleep?
| Age | Daytime sleep | Nighttime sleep | Total sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 8 hrs (3 naps) | 8 hrs 30 mins | 16 hrs 30 mins |
| One month | 6 hrs to 7 hrs (3 naps) | 8 hrs to 9 hrs | 14 hrs to 16 hrs |
| Three months | 4 hrs to 5 hrs (3 naps) | 10 hrs to 11 hrs | 14 hrs to 16 hrs |
| Six months | 3 hrs (3 naps) | 11 hrs | 14 hrs |
| Nine months | 2 hrs 30 mins (2 naps) | 11 hrs | 13 hrs 30 mins |
| 12 months | 2 hrs 30 mins (2 naps) | 11 hrs | 13 hrs 30 mins |
How long will my baby sleep for at a time?
“Sleep needs change as babies grow,” explains health visitor, gentle sleep coach and BabyCentre expert Helen Davies.
It’s likely that your baby won’t stay asleep for more than two to three hours at a time in their first few months. They need to wake often to feed as their tummy is small and doesn’t hold a lot of milk. So be prepared for some interrupted nights.
Once your baby is about three months old, they may start sleeping for around five hours at a time. This isn’t the case for every baby though! Remember too that your baby’s pattern may not necessarily be the same as yours, so when you can, try to sleep when your baby does.By 12 months your baby may sleep for as long as eight to nine hours at a time, allowing you to get some much-needed sleep too.
Sleep needs change as babies grow. Track your baby’s sleep patterns and adjust their schedule to meet their evolving needs.– Helen Davies, health visitor
What can affect my baby’s sleep in their first year?
Baby sleep patterns can be influenced by lots of things during their first 12 months. Understanding what can cause disruption to their sleep can help you prepare for it and get through it more easily.
Separation anxiety
It’s not unusual for babies who have started sleeping through the night to go back to occasional night waking, or to wake several times a night. It’s common for babies around nine months old to wake up more frequently. That’s because it’s around this time that your baby may start to feel their first pangs of separation anxiety, which can disrupt their sleep.
Development
Reaching new physical and developmental milestones, such as rolling over, crawling and pulling to stand, can also disrupt your baby’s sleep pattern, as their brain processes these exciting new skills. Playing before bedtime and late afternoon naps can also make it more difficult for them to drift off.
Follow your baby’s cues, not the clock. Every child has their own unique rhythm, and tuning into their signals leads to better sleep for everyone.– Helen Davies, health visitor
Growth spurts
Hunger and growth spurts can also disrupt sleep patterns. Babies have small tummies, especially in the first few months, and need to wake frequently for feeds. Growth spurts in their first month, at six weeks, three months and six months, can also increase your baby’s hunger and interrupt their usual sleep patterns. Some babies need less sleep, while others need more during a growth spurt. Babies going through growth spurts can sometimes become clingy, fussy and unsettled, and this can also disrupt naptimes and nighttime sleep.
Sleep regressions
Your baby’s sleep patterns can sometimes seem to slip into reverse. These periods are called sleep regressions, and they’re common in the first year, particularly around four months. You may notice your little one having difficulty getting off to sleep, or staying asleep. They may also seem more clingy or irritable. Try to be patient through this short phase – your baby is probably developing a brand new skill! Things should settle down with a few days or weeks.
BabyCentre Community members share their experiences
- “You read up so much on schedules and what “should” be happening and expectations lead to disappointment. Honestly, every baby is different, they all do what they like and there’s no stopping it. My 5 week old was awake all day yesterday, literally all day having 5 minute power naps. Now she’s slept 7 hours straight last night and is sleeping now.”
- “My little one is 9 weeks on Tuesday and she has done nothing but sleep today and last night she slept from 11.30pm to 6.30am! But yesterday she was awake loads! Hardly slept at all. I suppose every day is different as they are growing.”
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- “My 12-week-old will sleep the night but daytime naps are all over the place. Sometimes 3 hours overall, sometimes 4, sometimes 2! Her best nap is in the morning. But she doesn’t go down for the night until about 9.30pm… but then she will sleep until 8 or 8.30am. I’d love it if she went down a bit earlier as I’d be ok with her waking around 7am. To be honest the whole sleep thing is something I can’t get my head around. The idea of a routine or schedule seems impossible.”
Read more baby sleep experiences from parents in our BabyCentre Community.
What can I do to encourage my baby to sleep well?
To help your baby sleep well, it’s a good idea to have a consistent and predictable bedtime routine. This could include a warm bath, a change into comfy night clothes, a favourite story and a soothing cuddle. Knowing what’s coming every night will help your baby to learn sleep habits that will stand you both in good stead for the future. It’s also a lovely way for you and your partner to spend time with your baby.
Helen recommends tracking your baby’s sleep patterns and adjusting their sleep schedule to meet their evolving needs. “Follow your baby’s cues, not the clock. Every child has their own unique rhythm, and tuning into their signals leads to better sleep for everyone.”
