Baby Sleep Month by Month: A Guide from Newborn to 12 Months
Partilhar
A baby's sleep changes a lot in the first year. In the first months there is no routine, only short cycles. Around 6 months, a pattern begins to emerge. Here's what to expect, month by month, with typical hours and signs to look out for. For the full picture, first read Baby Sleep: Complete Guide for Parents in 2026.
0 to 3 months: the newborn
A newborn sleeps between 14 and 17 hours a day, divided into blocks of 2 to 4 hours. They don't distinguish day from night. They wake up hungry, day and night, and that's normal.
At this stage, don't try to impose a schedule. What helps: natural light during the day, dim light and silence at night. Always lay the baby on their back, on a firm surface, without pillows, loose cloth diapers, or stuffed animals.
3 to 6 months: starting to organize
Total sleep decreases to 12 to 15 hours. Nights begin to lengthen, and 3 to 4 naps emerge. Many babies can now achieve a nighttime block of 5 to 6 consecutive hours.
This is the time to introduce a short bedtime routine: bath, dim light, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, bed. Repetition is what creates the association with sleep. Twenty minutes is enough.
6 to 9 months: the pattern settles
Between 12 and 14 hours a day, usually with 2 naps, in the morning and mid-afternoon. Many babies now sleep almost all night. Others start waking up again – this often coincides with developmental leaps, such as sitting up or starting to crawl.
At 6 months, many babies move into their own room. If this is the case, check the firmness of the mattress: it should be firm and flat. You have options in the Baby Mattresses collection.
9 to 12 months: heading towards one nap
Total sleep is around 11 to 14 hours. Two naps are maintained, but the morning nap starts to shorten. Separation anxiety appears around 9 months and can make falling asleep more difficult for a few weeks. It's a phase, it will pass.
Keep the routine stable even on days when it doesn't seem to work. Predictability is what the baby seeks.
Signs of tiredness to watch for
An overtired baby sleeps worse, not better. Learn to read the signs and put them to bed before they cry: rubbing eyes, pulling ears, yawning, fixed and lost gaze, becoming irritable. When these appear, it's time to dim the lights and reduce stimuli.
When to talk to your pediatrician
These numbers are averages. Each baby has their own rhythm, and a wide range is normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby snores loudly and regularly, pauses breathing during sleep, is always drowsy and difficult to wake, or if the pattern suddenly changes without explanation. This article is informative and does not replace medical advice.
