Create your account and start enjoying benefits now.
Birthday Gift
Rewards Points
Member Coupon
Short Abstract: This guide provides a complete month-by-month baby sleep schedule for the first year. It covers typical wake windows, nap transitions, and total sleep needs from 0-12 months. Parents will learn how to create a baby sleep schedule that works for their family by following a consistent bedtime routine, observing sleepy cues, and understanding developmental changes like sleep regressions.
Bringing home a new baby means sleepless nights and unpredictable naps that leave you exhausted. Knowing how your baby's sleep changes month by month helps you feel more confident and prepared for what's coming next.
Here are the most important things to remember about how babies sleep during their first year, before we get into the specifics. This basic knowledge will help you get through the ups and downs of developing good sleep habits.
By sticking to these rules, you can build a good sleep foundation. Babies like it when things are predictable, but parents also need to know what's really possible at each stage.
Infant sleep is very different from adult sleep, which is completely normal. Babies go through different stages of sleep than adults do. They spend more time in lighter, more active sleep that is easy to wake up from.
For the first few months, your baby's sleep is mostly controlled by feeding needs and their biological clocks that aren't yet set to day and night. Their bellies are very small, so they need frequent meals all the time. Their circadian rhythm, the internal clock that controls when they sleep and wake up, starts to mature as they get older. This lets them sleep for longer periods at night.
If you know about these changes in growth, you'll know that sleepless nights aren't a sign of failure on your part. They are a normal part of how babies are built to survive and grow. During this stage, being patient pays off as sleep slowly becomes more stable.
Establishing a baby sleep schedule brings structure to what can feel like chaotic early months. Predictable patterns help babies feel secure and make daily life more manageable for exhausted parents.
Babies feel safest with routine. A consistent schedule helps regulate their internal clock, making it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. Knowing what comes next, whether that's a feeding, playtime, or nap, reduces fussiness and crying. Well-rested babies are generally happier, more alert during wake times, and better able to reach developmental milestones.
Predictability allows you to plan your day with more confidence. You'll know roughly when you can squeeze in a shower, prepare meals, or catch up on rest yourself. A reliable baby sleep schedule also makes it easier to coordinate with your partner about who's handling which shift, reducing stress and resentment. Over time, this structure helps everyone in the household function better.
Sticking to a plan doesn't mean being rigid every day. Being flexible is still important, but having a framework to follow makes things a lot easier. You and your baby will trust you more if you are consistent.
New parents often wonder how quickly they can establish order in the chaos. The truth is that very young infants simply aren't developmentally ready for rigid schedules.
During the first 6-8 weeks, focus on feeding on demand and letting your newborn sleep whenever they're tired. Attempting to force a schedule too early usually creates more frustration than results. Instead, watch for patterns that naturally emerge—many babies start showing preferences for certain sleep times around 6-8 weeks of age.
Between 3 and 4 months, most babies are ready for a more structured approach. Their nervous systems have matured enough to handle predictable wake windows and bedtimes. This is an ideal time to start implementing a gentle routine. Remember that "schedule" doesn't mean your baby will follow it perfectly every day, but rather that you're creating a consistent framework that guides their days.
With each age, your baby's sleep needs and habits change. Read on to learn what to expect each month, so you can adjust how you do things as your baby grows.
| Age Range | Total Sleep | Nighttime Sleep | Daytime Naps | Wake Windows |
| 0-6 weeks | 14-17 hours | 8-9 hours (broken) | 7-9 hours (4-5 naps) | 45-60 minutes |
| 2-3 months | 14-16 hours | 9-10 hours (broken) | 4-5 hours (3-4 naps) | 60-90 minutes |
| 4-5 months | 13-15 hours | 10-11 hours (1-2 feedings) | 3-4 hours (3 naps) | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| 6-8 months | 12-15 hours | 10-12 hours (0-1 feedings) | 2-3 hours (2-3 naps) | 2-3 hours |
| 9-12 months | 12-14 hours | 11-12 hours (rare feedings) | 2-3 hours (2 naps) | 3-4 hours |
Survival mode defines these early weeks. The total amount of time your baby sleeps will be between 14 and 17 hours, but the length of each sleep will vary. It is normal to feed them every two to three hours, around the clock. Your baby doesn't know the difference between day and night yet, so don't expect them to sleep longer at night.
Make sure that the daytime is bright and active, even during naps, and that the night is dark and quiet. This helps them begin to understand the difference. A baby sound machine can help create a consistent sleep environment that masks household noises.
Small improvements start appearing. Your baby may give you one longer stretch at night, perhaps 4-5 hours if you're lucky. Total sleep remains around 14-16 hours, with wake windows extending to 60-90 minutes.
This is a good time to establish a simple bedtime routine: bath, feeding, and quiet time. Keep it short—just 20-30 minutes. Consistency matters more than complexity. The Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine offers 34 soothing sounds including white noise and lullabies, plus an adjustable LED lamp you can control from your phone to create the perfect sleep environment.
Major sleep changes happen now. The 4-month sleep regression often catches parents off guard as previously good sleepers suddenly start waking more. This happens because sleep cycles are maturing and becoming more adult-like.
Most babies consolidate down to three naps, with wake windows of 1.5-2.5 hours. Nighttime sleep stretches to 10-11 hours, though 1-2 feedings are still normal. This is the ideal age to learn how to create a baby sleep schedule that follows your baby's natural rhythms rather than fighting them.
Sleep starts feeling more predictable. Many babies drop to two naps and can handle 2-3 hour wake windows. Some babies begin sleeping through the night without feedings, though plenty still need one.
Separation anxiety may cause new bedtime challenges as your baby becomes more aware of your absence. The Momcozy 5-Inch Dual-mode Smart Baby Monitor helps you stay connected without disturbing your little one. With real-time motion alerts and crying detection, you can check on them through the app or parent unit while they sleep peacefully. Stick with your established routine, as consistency helps babies feel secure during this developmental leap.
The end of the first year often brings more stable sleep patterns. Most babies sleep 11-12 hours at night with two daytime naps totaling 2-3 hours. Wake windows extend to 3-4 hours, giving you longer stretches between sleep times.
Teething and learning new skills like crawling and standing can temporarily disrupt sleep. Stay patient and maintain your routines. By 12 months, many babies are ready to transition to one nap, though this varies widely.
Your consistent approach throughout the year pays off now as sleep becomes more reliable. Celebrate this milestone! You've all come a long way since those exhausting newborn days.
Building structure takes time, but these useful steps will help the process go more smoothly. Set reasonable goals at the start and work your way up from there.
Before imposing any schedule, watch your baby for 3-5 days. Note when they seem sleepy, how long they stay awake, and when they're most alert. Use these observations to work with their natural tendencies rather than against them.
Pick a bedtime between 6:00-8:00 PM and stick with it every night. Babies respond well to darkness and lower activity levels in the evening. A predictable bedtime becomes an anchor that other sleep times organize around.
Develop a 20-30 minute wind-down routine before sleep times. This might include dimming lights, playing soft music, changing into pajamas, reading a short book, and cuddling. Repetition teaches your baby that sleep is coming next.
Pay attention to how long your baby can comfortably stay awake. Putting them down too early or too late makes falling asleep harder. Use age-appropriate wake windows as a guide, adjusting based on your individual baby's cues.
Use the same space for all sleep times when possible. Keep the room dark, cool (68-72°F), and quiet. Many parents find that a baby sound machine creates a consistent audio backdrop that signals sleep time.
Make sure your baby has a full stomach before naps and bedtime. This reduces the chance they'll wake from hunger too soon. For nighttime sleep, a dream feed around 10-11 PM can sometimes extend the first sleep stretch.
Learning how to create a baby sleep schedule takes trial and error. What works perfectly for one baby might not suit another, so stay flexible and adjust as needed.
Sleep needs shift constantly during the first year as your baby's brain and body develop. Recognizing these transitions helps you adapt rather than panic.
Each baby follows their own timeline within these general patterns. You can use tools like a smart baby monitor, which helps you track actual sleep patterns rather than relying on memory or assumptions. Data removes guesswork and shows you what's really happening.
There are things that can go wrong with even the best baby sleep schedule. Knowing about common problems and having plans ready can help you feel less stressed during tough times.
Tools like a baby sound machine can help mask environmental disruptions that wake light sleepers. Stay patient and remember that most challenges pass with time and consistency.
At different stages, "sleeping through the night" means different things. For babies this age, sleeping through the night means five hours straight. Between 4 and 6 months, most babies can go 6 to 8 hours without eating, but a lot of them still wake up for comfort. By 9 to 12 months, about 70% to 80% of babies sleep 10 to 12 hours straight. However, this can be broken by teething, sickness, or growth changes. Every baby is different based on their personality and how they're fed. Getting your baby to sleep at the same time every night is helpful, but trying to sleep train them before they're ready usually makes things worse.
What works best to calm your baby will depend on their age. For babies who are still very young, you can swaddle them, swing them gently, make soft shushing sounds, or give them a pacifier. Older babies will fall asleep when you just rub their back or put your hand on their chest. Don't talk or turn on lights that would make them think it's time to play. A baby sound machine can be helpful because it makes a steady noise in the background that blocks out other sounds. For your baby's comfort, feed them in a dark room and then put them back to sleep right away.
Babies show you they're tired before they get too cranky. Early signs include yawning, rubbing their eyes or ears, losing interest in toys, and wanting to be held more. As they get sleepier, they might stare off into space or turn away from stimulation. Once fussing and crying start, you've probably missed the ideal window. Watching how long your baby has been awake helps you catch nap time before they're overtired. Most babies show sleepy signals 15-20 minutes before they're ready to actually fall asleep.
Age and individual sleep requirements determine the ideal bedtime. The optimum time for most babies to go to sleep is between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Younger babies frequently need to go down even earlier, sometimes as early as 5:30 or 6:00 PM, because they fatigue more quickly. Start counting backwards from the moment your baby wakes up. They should be asleep by 7:00 PM if they wake up at 6:00 AM and require 11 hours of sleep. Over time, this becomes simpler with a consistent baby sleep routine.
Babies sleep for eight to nine hours at night and wake up every two to three hours. By 3 months, most babies sleep 9–10 hours and need to be fed once or twice. Around 6 months, babies can sleep 10 to 12 hours without having to be fed, but some still need one. Most babies can sleep 11 to 12 hours without eating by 9 to 12 months, but not all babies do this regularly. It's not always like this; some kids need more or less sleep. Smart baby monitors and baby sound machines can be helpful, but keep in mind that every baby is different.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Momcozy is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.
