Sleep guidance

Sleep guidance that grows with your baby.

How much sleep, how many naps and what wake window to expect, stage by stage, from newborn to toddler.

Sleep by age

What changes, stage by stage

General guidance, not a rulebook. Every baby settles into their own rhythm on their own timeline.

0–3 months

14–17 hrs: Total sleep
4–6: Naps
45–60 min: Wake window

Sleep is scattered around the clock at this stage. Follow your baby's tired cues rather than the clock, day and night are still finding their rhythm.

4–6 months

12–15 hrs: Total sleep
3–4: Naps
1.5–2.5 hrs: Wake window

A daytime rhythm starts to emerge. This is often when the 4-month sleep regression shows up, as wake windows stretch and naps shorten.

7–9 months

12–14 hrs: Total sleep
2–3: Naps
2–3 hrs: Wake window

Most babies settle into 2–3 naps a day. Separation anxiety can disrupt settling around now; extra reassurance at bedtime is normal.

10–12 months

11–14 hrs: Total sleep
2: Naps
2.5–3.5 hrs: Wake window

Two naps a day is typical, often shifting toward one longer midday nap by the end of this stage as wake windows keep stretching.

1–2 years

11–14 hrs: Total sleep
1: Naps
4–6 hrs: Wake window

One nap a day is standard, usually after lunch. Toddler bedtime battles often start here as independence grows.

2–3 years

10–13 hrs: Total sleep
0–1: Naps
5–6 hrs: Wake window

Some toddlers drop the nap entirely around now, others still need one. An earlier bedtime usually makes up the difference either way.

General guidance based on commonly published paediatric sleep ranges. Not medical advice; every baby differs. Speak with your maternal and child health nurse or paediatrician about your baby's specific needs.

The short answer

How much sleep does my baby need at each age?

It changes fast in the first two years. Newborns sleep 14–17 hours across 4–6 short naps with wake windows under an hour. By 12 months, most babies are down to 2 naps and can stay awake 2.5–3.5 hours between sleeps. By age 2–3, many are on 0–1 nap with 5–6 hour wake windows and 10–13 hours of sleep overall. These are general ranges, not a rulebook; use our free schedule generator to turn them into an actual bedtime and nap plan for today.

Build my schedule

Newborn wake window: 45–60 min
Toddler wake window: 5–6 hrs
Naps at 12 months: 2
Naps by age 2–3: 0–1

Common questions

What is a wake window?

A wake window is how long a baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps before becoming overtired. It gets longer as your baby grows, from under an hour as a newborn to several hours by toddlerhood. Watching your baby's own tired cues alongside typical wake windows for their age is more reliable than sleeping strictly by the clock.

When do babies drop to one nap a day?

Most babies move to a single nap somewhere between 12 and 18 months, though it varies widely. Signs it's time include fighting the morning nap, a shrinking gap between two naps, or a shorter afternoon nap than usual. Expect an adjustment period of a few weeks as the new rhythm settles.

Why did my baby's sleep suddenly get worse?

Sudden changes are common around developmental leaps, often called sleep regressions, particularly around 4 months, 8–10 months and 18 months. Teething, illness and travel can also disrupt sleep temporarily. Most regressions settle within a few weeks as your baby adjusts.