Is your baby going to be 6 months old, or are they already 6 months old? Whichever is the case, you probably want to know things about a 6-month-old sleep schedule. You may be curious about how often they should nap or how long they should sleep. Likewise, you may want to know if there are products that can help you put them to sleep. Well, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to learn about these and more.
Six-Month-Old Sample Sleep Schedule
Here is a sample sleep schedule for a 6-month-old:
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6:30 am |
Wake Up |
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8:30 - 9:45 am |
1st nap |
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12:00 pm - 1:30 pm |
2nd nap |
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4:00 - 5:00 pm |
3rd nap |
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6:30 pm |
Bedtime routine |
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7:00 - 8:00 pm |
Bedtime |
Here are more things you really should know about sleep schedules for a six-month-old baby.
How Much Should a Six-Month-Old Baby Sleep?
The ideal number of sleep hours for a 6-month-old baby is 10 - 14 hours. Your baby, at this stage, should be sleeping through the night because they can now recognize day and night cycles. They understand that it is at night time that they need to sleep. However, they would still need to nap during the day. Each nap would be around 1 to 2 hours.
Why is My 6 Month Old Sleeping So Much?
Babies need sleep to rest and grow. Do not be worried if they are not waking up during the night like they did before. As mentioned above, that is normal. Also, please note that each baby is different. So do not be alarmed if your baby is sleeping more or less than 10 - 14 hours. As long as your baby is growing as they should and they are hitting milestones, you don't need to change their sleep schedule.
6-Month-Old Nap Schedule
Your baby may need 2 to 3 naps during the day. Space these naps properly to ensure your baby is getting adequate sleep and wake time to support their growth. That said, you can schedule one in the morning, one in midday, and another in the afternoon.
Here is a sample:
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8:30 am - 9:45 am |
1st Nap |
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12:00 pm - 1:30 pm |
2nd Nap |
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4:00 pm - 4:30 pm |
3rd and Final Nap |
Is It Normal for a 6-Month-Old to Not Nap?
If your baby is getting around 14 hours at night, then yes. Suppose they are not getting enough nighttime sleep, and they still refuse to nap. There might be some problems. Your baby may not be tired at the time you scheduled for a nap. Thus, they can't fall asleep.
Your baby being overtired at the time also makes it difficult for them to fall asleep. Try changing their nap schedule if this happens often. Also, try changing the sleep environment to create a more relaxing atmosphere for them.
Is it Normal for a 6-Month-Old to Fight Naps?
If your baby looks tired but refuses to nap, there may be some underlying problems. They may be hungry, so they don't want to sleep yet. Feed them first if that is the case. As mentioned above, they may also be overtired. To prevent that, you need to be more attentive. When your baby starts showing signs of sleepiness, like yawning, put them to bed right away.
How Long Should a 6-Month-Old Nap?
A 6-month-old baby should nap for 1 to 2 hours. But again, all babies are different. Some naps may be longer, and some may be shorter. Some babies don't even need to nap since they already got enough sleep. Just check your baby to see if they are growing healthily. If not, consider making some adjustments.
How Many Naps Should a 6 Month Take?
At 6 months old, a baby should nap 3 times a day. These naps should be around 1 or 1 and a half - 2 hours each, and there should be 2 - 3 hours of awake time in between. Note that some babies will still have 4 nap times. However, you should aim to reduce that to only 3. This is so they wouldn't be so accustomed to short naps and short nighttime sleep.
How Often Should a 6-Month-Old Nap?
As mentioned above, they should nap 3 times a day if they aren't completing the required sleep hours at night. If they are already getting enough sleep, they can have fewer naps.
Bedtime Routine for a 6-Month-Old Baby
A consistent bedtime routine helps your baby know when it is time to sleep. It helps them fall asleep faster and sleep for longer. Here is a sample bedtime routine that you can try:
1. Wind Down
Dim the lights 1 hour or 30 minutes before bedtime. You should also create a quiet environment. That said, turn off your TV or lower its volume.
2. Warm Bath
Give your baby a warm bath. After that, your baby's temperature will cool down. That will help induce sleepiness. Remember to use water that's warm but not too hot.
3. Clothes Change
Change your baby's diaper to prevent discomfort. Then, dress them in comfortable pajamas. We recommend the Momcozy Newborn Sleepers. These modern pajamas have temperature-changing labels that will help you monitor your baby's temperature. With that, you can know if you need to add or reduce layers if the temperature is getting too cold or too hot.
4. Feeding
Breastfeed your baby or give them a milk bottle if needed.
5. Put Your Baby to Bed
Put your baby in their crib and turn the lights off.
6-Month-Old Baby Wake Window
Your baby should be awake for 2 - 3 hours between their naps. That is easily achievable if you space the naptimes properly. Your baby may also wake up at sunrise to feed. After the feeding session, they may stay awake and that would be the start of their day. Some babies will continue their sleep and will wake up again after a couple of minutes.
Why Is My 6-Month-Old Baby Not Sleeping Through the Night?
Your 6-month-old baby could be experiencing sleep regression if they are not sleeping through the night. It is something like a backward step towards consistent sleep. This can last for a few days and up to weeks.
Why is My 6-Month-Old Waking Multiple Times at Night?
As your baby grows, their mental and environmental awareness improves. Because of that, they can become more sensitive to overstimulation. In other words, more things may disturb their sleep. As such, they are waking multiple times at night instead of sleeping through it like other babies of the same age.
Also, it could be that your baby had more or longer naps during the day. That can also affect how long they sleep at night.
Is There a Six-Month Sleep Regression?
Yes, there is. Most babies do not experience it, but it is a common case. Some babies improve their sleep patterns at this age, and some do not show progress at all. Those are just as normal as a baby experiencing sleep regression.
But, of course, you'd want to help your baby improve your baby's sleep patterns. Luckily, there are several strategies you can take to help your baby overcome this challenge. It includes setting bedtime routines and following safe sleep guidelines.
How Long Does 6-Month Sleep Regression Last?
A 6-month sleep regression can last a few days to weeks, as mentioned above. Specifically, that could go for 2 to 6 weeks. Ideally, you want it to be over as soon as possible to ensure your baby's healthy growth.
What can you do to prepare your baby for sleep regression or help them overcome it? Better yet, how to prevent the issue from occurring in the first place? You can start establishing good sleep habits early and often. A great way to do so is by putting them down when they are about to fall asleep instead of when they are already asleep. It helps them learn how to fall asleep on their own.
How To Put a 6-Month-Old to Sleep
Here are some effective sleep training techniques for 6-month-old babies.
Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Suppose you decided to try the sample bedtime routine we provided, or you created your own. You need to do that every day. Doing it just one time or every now and then will not make it easier for your baby to understand day and night cycles.
To recap, you can give them a warm bath, change their clothes and their diaper, and feed them one last time.
Set a Regular Sleep Schedule
You want to regulate your baby’s internal clock so they know the right time to sleep and wake up. You can do that by setting a regular sleep schedule. For example, your baby should always go to bed at 7 pm or 8 pm.
Ensure your baby is getting enough daytime naps to avoid overtiredness. Likewise, make sure they aren't napping too much so their nighttime sleep will be longer.
Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment
As we mentioned in the routine section, you should dim the lights or turn them off. Similarly, you should lower the volume of the TV or turn it off. The silence and darkness will make it easier for your baby to fall asleep.
Let's say you still have things to do, so you can't ensure there will be silence in your house. You can also use white noise to block out household noises. The Momcozy Sound Machine is amazing for that. It provides you with 34 sounds, including white noise, nature sounds, and lullabies. It also is a lamp, and you can control it remotely using your phone.
Hold Your Baby
Hold your baby while rocking or nursing them to help them fall asleep. You can also sing them a lullaby. Just remember to put them in their crib before they are actually asleep. That gives them some time to fall asleep on their own, which is beneficial for their development.
Conclusion
Is there a recommended 6-month-old sleep schedule? There is none. However, there are some things to target. For example, they should have 10 - 14 sleep hours per day and 2 - 3 wake windows between sleep and naps. If your baby is experiencing sleep regression, try establishing sleep routines to help them overcome it. Monitor your baby's growth and see how it relates to their sleep patterns. If you notice some concerning things, consider consulting your doctor.
