Here are the hours of sleep your baby is likely to need between the ages of one month and 12 months. But remember that every baby is different, and your little one may need more or less sleep than this.
How much sleep does your baby need?
| Age | Daytime sleep | Night-time sleep | Total sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 7hrs 30mins (3 naps) | 8hrs 30mins | 16 hrs |
| One month | 6hrs 45mins (3 naps) | 8hrs 30mins | 15hrs 15mins |
| Two months | 5hrs 30mins (3 naps) | 10hrs | 15hrs 30mins |
| Three months | 5hrs (3 naps) | 10hrs | 15hrs |
| Six months | 3 hrs (2 naps) | 11hrs | 14hrs |
| Nine months | 2hrs 45mins (2 naps) | 11hrs 15mins | 14hrs |
| 12 months | 2hrs 15mins (2 naps) | 11hrs 30mins | 13hrs 45mins |
It’s likely that your baby won't stay asleep for more than one hour to three hours at a time in her first few months (ISIS 2013, NSF nd). She needs to wake frequently so that she can refill her tummy, so be prepared for some interrupted nights (NHS 2013, NSF nd).
Once your baby is about three months old, you can start to follow a set pattern every night (ISIS 2013, NHS 2013). This may help your baby to settle quicker at night and sleep for longer (Mindell et al 2015). However, do remember that all babies are different and what works for one baby may not work for another.
By nine months to 12 months your baby may even sleep through the night, allowing you to get more sleep too (NSF nd)! Some babies may wake more often than others (ISIS 2013).
It’s not unusual for babies who have started sleeping through to go back to occasional night waking or wake several times a night (ISIS 2013). It’s common for babies around nine months old to wake up more frequently (Merck Manuals, 2013). At around this time, your baby may start to feel her first pangs of separation anxiety, which can disrupt her sleep. Teething and learning new skills, such as crawling, can also disturb your baby’s sleep patterns.
To help your baby sleep well, it helps to have a consistent and predictable bedtime routine (NSF nd). This could include a bath, a change into night clothes, a favourite story and a cuddle. Knowing what's coming every night will help your baby to learn sleep habits that will stand you both in good stead for the future (NHS 2013).
Find out more about establishing good sleep habits for your baby at:
