Baby Sleep Schedule: A Gentle Guide by Age

Why Is Baby Sleep Such a Big Topic?

The good news? Baby sleep is constantly evolving. What may feel like chaos often has its patterns—and this article is here to help you understand them. Month by month, it walks you through what’s typical, what might be challenging, and how to gently support your baby (and yourself) toward more restful sleep.

If you’d like to dive deeper, we recommend our e-book “Baby Sleep 0–12 Months: A Practical Guide to Peaceful Nights”, which includes actionable tips, clear sleep charts, and month-by-month guidance.

Month 0 – Newborn Sleep and Early Chaos

In the first month of life, babies don’t distinguish between day and night. Their sleep follows basic biological needs—like hunger, warmth, safety, and closeness. For parents, that often means frequent waking, night feeds, and uncertainty about when their baby will actually sleep.

How much sleep does a newborn need?

Newborns typically sleep 16 to 18 hours per day in very short stretches. Their sleep is fragmented into brief segments around the clock.

What’s typical?

• Frequent waking, sometimes every hour or two
• Strong need for contact—often only falls asleep when held or nursing
• No day-night differentiation—baby may be active at any time
• High sensitivity to the environment—temperature, noise, or movement may interrupt sleep

How to support newborn sleep?

• Offer plenty of physical closeness—skin-to-skin contact, babywearing, or co-sleeping (while following safe sleep practices)
• Create a calm environment—dim lights, quiet or gentle white noise
• Avoid overstimulation—babies aren’t ready yet for noisy toys or busy surroundings
• Recognize individual needs—some babies sleep more, others less

We explore safe sleep spaces in more depth in this article: Safe Baby Sleep: What Parents Shouldn’t Overlook.

Month 1 – First Hints of a Rhythm

Between 4 and 8 weeks, some babies start to show the first signs of day-night differentiation. It’s not a set routine, but you may notice slight changes—more alertness during the day and a bit more calmness at night.

How much sleep does a 1-month-old need?

Sleep needs decrease slightly—most babies sleep around 14 to 17 hours a day, still in short intervals with frequent waking.

What’s typical?

• Some babies start to sleep 3–4 hour stretches at night
• More wakeful and curious during the day
• Emerging patterns for some, while others remain unpredictable
• Frequent night wakings are still completely normal

How can you help?

• Start introducing a gentle bedtime routine—like a bath, soothing massage, feeding, and low light
• Gently stimulate your baby with natural light, soft sounds, and gentle touch during the day; wind down at night
• Watch for sleepy cues—rubbing eyes, yawning, fussing, turning head away
• Don’t rush to establish a strict schedule—predictability and security matter more than precision right now

You’ll find more examples of sleepy cues and sample daily rhythms in our baby sleep e-book.

Month 2 – Sleep Starts to Shift

Between 5 and 8 weeks, you might notice some sleep progress. Your baby becomes more alert during the day and may start sleeping slightly longer stretches at night. But sleep can still be fragmented and vary widely.

How much sleep does a 2-month-old need?

Around 15 to 17 hours per day. Some babies start sleeping 3–5 hour blocks at night, but most still wake for feeding every 2–3 hours.

What’s typical?

• Gradual emergence of a day-night rhythm (but not yet stable)
• Longer awake periods during the day
• Night waking remains common and normal
• Many babies still need help falling asleep—nursing, rocking, cuddling

How can you help?

• Continue with a calming bedtime routine—babies begin to associate it with sleep
• Daytime interaction and natural light help reinforce day-night patterns
• Be mindful of overtiredness—it can lead to restlessness and harder bedtimes

Our e-book includes bedtime routine ideas, sleep tips, and common challenges for each age.

Months 3–4 – Longer Sleep Stretches and First Regressions

By month three, some babies start sleeping for longer stretches—sometimes up to 6 hours. But it can also bring a developmental leap that temporarily disrupts sleep.

How much sleep?

Around 14 to 16 hours a day. Some babies sleep more soundly at night, while others still wake frequently—both are normal.

What’s typical?

• More alert and engaged during the day
• Sleep may become more challenging—baby is easily distracted
• Signs of the 4-month sleep regression may appear

How can you help?

• Keep routines consistent—this builds a sense of predictability
• Let your baby’s needs guide naps—some days they’ll sleep more, others less
• Know that sleep regressions are temporary and part of healthy development

We explain sleep regressions in more detail here: Baby Sleep Regressions: What to Expect and How to Cope.