How Much Sleep Does Your Baby Need?
Calculate recommended sleep by age — naps, bedtime, and total hours. From newborn through toddler.
Sleep Needs by Age
Newborn (0-2 months): 14-17 hours total, no schedule. 3-5 months: 14-16 hours, 3-4 naps. 6-8 months: 13-15 hours, 2-3 naps. 9-12 months: 13-14 hours, 2 naps. 12-18 months: 12-14 hours, 1-2 naps. 18-36 months: 12-13 hours, 1 nap. These are guidelines — individual babies vary by 1-2 hours.
Wake Windows Are Key
The most useful concept in baby sleep is the wake window — the time between sleep periods. An overtired baby paradoxically has MORE trouble sleeping, not less. Follow age-appropriate wake windows and put baby down at the first sign of tiredness (yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness). Keeping a baby up longer does not make them sleep longer at night.
The sleep regression at 4 months is not actually a regression — it is a permanent change in sleep architecture. Babies transition from newborn sleep cycles (2 stages) to adult-like cycles (4 stages). This causes more wake-ups between cycles. Sleep training after this point helps babies learn to self-soothe between cycles.
