In the newborn weeks, sleep seems to have no pattern at all. Then, slowly, longer stretches appear, naps become more predictable and nights get easier. Knowing the typical baby sleep milestones helps you see that the chaos of the early months is temporary, and what to expect next.
Quick answer: baby sleep milestones
- 0 to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours a day in short stretches, day and night.
- 3 to 6 months: a longer night stretch begins, with 3 to 4 naps.
- 6 to 12 months: 12 to 15 hours in total, 2 to 3 naps, longer nights.
- 12 to 18 months: most toddlers move to 1 nap.
Free printable: keep our Safe Sleep Checklist by the crib: eight quick checks for every nap and every night, based on AAP guidance.
Newborn: 0 to 3 months
Babies sleep in short cycles and wake often to feed. Day and night are mixed up at first. By 6 to 8 weeks, some babies start sleeping a little longer at night. See the newborn sleep schedule and day and night confusion.
3 to 6 months
Sleep patterns mature, and many babies sleep a 5 to 6 hour stretch. Around 4 months, sleep often becomes more broken for a while as cycles reorganise. See baby sleep cycles.
6 to 12 months
Many babies settle into 2 to 3 naps and longer nights, though night waking is still common. New skills like crawling and separation anxiety can disrupt sleep. See sleep regressions.
12 to 18 months
Most toddlers drop to one afternoon nap and sleep around 11 to 14 hours in total. See how many naps a baby needs.
Supporting healthy sleep at every stage
- Follow safe sleep practices every time. See safe sleep practices.
- Use daylight and darkness to set the body clock.
- Start a simple bedtime routine from a few weeks old.
- Watch for tired signs and avoid overtiredness.
- Expect setbacks with illness, teething and new skills.
When to talk to your doctor
- snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing
- your baby is very hard to wake or too sleepy to feed
- sleep problems with poor feeding or weight gain
- you are exhausted and struggling to cope
Frequently asked questions
When do babies sleep through the night?
Sleeping through often means a 5 to 6 hour stretch, which many babies reach between 3 and 6 months. Waking later in the first year is still normal.
Is my baby sleeping too much?
Newborns sleep a lot. Ask your doctor if your baby is hard to wake for feeds.
Do breastfed babies wake more?
They may wake a little more often because breast milk digests quickly. This is normal.
Free printables: get our Safe Sleep Checklist, Feeding & Diaper Log and Hospital Bag Checklist, plus one short tip email a week. Join Babypino Weekly.
Sources
- NHS: Helping your baby to sleep
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Healthy Sleep Habits
- National Sleep Foundation: How much sleep do babies need
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby’s sleep, talk to your doctor or health visitor.