Your baby is about 8 weeks old. Some naps last 20 minutes, some last two hours, and the evenings can feel long. If you’ve searched 2 month old sleep schedule, you probably want to know what a normal day looks like now, how long your baby can stay awake, and whether you should start a routine yet. Short answer: at 2 months, follow your baby’s cues inside a loose rhythm. This page shows what that rhythm can look like and what is worth starting now.
This page is part of our baby sleep schedule by age guide. Before this: our newborn sleep schedule. Next: the 3 month old sleep schedule.
Quick answer: 2 month old sleep schedule
- No fixed timetable yet: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says babies don’t have regular sleep cycles until about 4 months of age. A loose pattern is normal at 2 months.
- Naps: 4 to 5 naps a day (sometimes more) is a common pattern, and short naps are normal. This is a typical range, not an official rule.
- Wake windows: about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours awake between sleeps is a common rough guide. Your baby’s tired signs matter more than the clock.
- Nights: the NHS says newborn babies wake repeatedly at night for the first few months because they need to be fed. Night feeds at 2 months are expected.
- Worth starting now: a bright, social day and a dim, quiet night, plus a short bedtime routine. The CDC suggests consistent routines for sleeping and feeding so your baby learns what to expect.
- Safety: on the back for every sleep, on a firm, flat surface with nothing else in the crib. Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any signs of trying to roll (AAP).
What changes around 2 months
Two months is the first CDC milestone checklist. By 2 months, the CDC list includes calming down when spoken to or picked up, smiling when you talk to or smile at your baby, making sounds other than crying, reacting to loud sounds and holding the head up during tummy time. Here is how that shows up in sleep.
- Your baby is more awake and more social. Smiles and cooing make awake time longer and more fun. That’s good, but it also means a baby can get overstimulated before a nap.
- Days and nights start to separate. Many babies are working their way out of day and night confusion. The NHS suggests open curtains and play in the day, and low light, a quiet voice and no play at night.
- The swaddle question comes up. Some babies start to wriggle free or show early signs of rolling. The AAP says to stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any signs of trying to roll over.
- The 2-month checkup. Most babies have a well-baby visit and vaccines around now, which can shake up a day or two of sleep (see below).
- Crying can still be a big part of the day. The AAP says newborns routinely cry 1 to 4 hours a day, and fussy spells can happen even when a baby isn’t hungry, uncomfortable or tired.
For everything else your baby may be doing now, see our 2-month milestones guide.
A sample 2 month old sleep schedule
This is an example, not a target. Start from the time your baby actually woke up and move everything from there. Feeds at this age follow hunger cues, often every 2 to 4 hours. The AAP-based amounts in our baby feeding schedule by age put 1 to 2 month olds at about 7 to 9 feeds in 24 hours.
| Time | What happens | Awake before this sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Wake up, feed, diaper change, cuddle and talk | |
| 8:00 a.m. | Nap 1 (about 30 to 60 minutes) | about 1 hour |
| 9:00 a.m. | Feed, tummy time, a walk or a look out the window | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Nap 2 (about 1 to 2 hours) | about 1 to 1.25 hours |
| 12:15 p.m. | Feed, play, diaper change | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Nap 3 (about 45 to 90 minutes) | about 1 to 1.25 hours |
| 3:00 p.m. | Feed, quiet play | |
| 4:15 p.m. | Nap 4 (about 30 to 45 minutes) | about 1 to 1.25 hours |
| 5:30 p.m. | Feed, maybe a short catnap in your arms or the stroller (move baby to a flat surface if they fall asleep) | |
| 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. | Bedtime routine and the longest sleep of the night begins | about 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Night | 2 or 3 feeds is common. Keep them dim, calm and quiet. |
Bedtime at 2 months is often later and more variable than it will be in a few months. That’s fine. If your baby’s longest sleep starts at 9 or 10 p.m. for now, you haven’t done anything wrong.
How much should a 2 month old sleep?
| Sleep | Typical at 2 months | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Total in 24 hours | Varies a lot between babies | The NHS says a newborn’s total daily sleep can be around 18 hours; the AAP’s recommended range of 12 to 16 hours starts at 4 months |
| Night wakings | Expected, usually to feed | NHS: newborns wake repeatedly at night for the first few months |
| Naps a day | Often 4 to 5, sometimes more | Common pattern, not an official measure |
| Wake window | About 45 minutes to 1.5 hours | Rough guide, not an official measure |
A good check: if your baby wakes mostly content, feeds well, has plenty of wet diapers and is growing as expected, they are usually getting the sleep they need, even if the day looks nothing like the table.
2 month old wake windows: tired signs come first
Wake windows are a starting point, not an AAP measure. At 2 months, many babies are ready for sleep sooner than parents expect, especially after a busy, social stretch. Watch for:
- yawning, a glazed stare or turning away from faces and toys;
- rubbing eyes or pulling at ears;
- jerky arm and leg movements or clenched fists;
- fussing that a feed or a diaper change doesn’t fix.
When you see two of these, start winding down: dim the room, cut the chatter, and offer a feed, a cuddle or a swaddle (if your baby isn’t showing signs of rolling). Our guide to baby cues has more.
The 2-month shots and sleep
Most babies have their 2-month checkup and vaccines around now. The CDC says that, for the most part, vaccine side effects are minor, such as soreness where the shot was given or a low-grade fever, and go away within a few days.
- Plan a quiet day after the visit with extra cuddles and feeds on cue. A sleepier or fussier day can happen. Ask your pediatrician what to expect and what to watch for.
- Don’t give any medicine without checking with your pediatrician first, especially at this age.
- Call your pediatrician if your baby seems very unwell, is hard to wake, won’t feed, or has a fever your doctor told you to call about (see below).
More on the schedule and why it matters in our guide to baby vaccinations.
Common 2-month sleep worries
“My 2 month old only naps for 20 to 30 minutes”
Very common. Sleep cycles are still maturing, and longer naps often come over the next few months. If your baby wakes happy, the nap may be done. If they wake upset, a minute of gentle shushing or patting may help them drift off again, but there’s no need to force a long nap.
“My baby only falls asleep feeding or being held”
That is normal at 2 months. The AAP’s advice to put babies down drowsy is a good habit to practice when it’s easy, for example once a day, but there’s no need to force it now. If your baby falls asleep on you, move them to their crib or bassinet on their back. See is it safe for baby to sleep on my chest and our guide to a baby who won’t sleep without being held.
“My baby is fussy every evening”
Many babies have a fussy stretch in the late afternoon or evening. The AAP says fussy periods can happen even when a baby isn’t hungry, uncomfortable or tired. A dim room, white noise at a low volume, a walk or holding your baby close can help. If crying is very long or sounds different, talk to your pediatrician. See how to soothe a crying baby and baby colic.
“My baby is breaking out of the swaddle”
That can be a sign it’s time to change things. A loose blanket in the crib is a safety risk, and the AAP says to stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any signs of trying to roll. Read baby breaks out of swaddle and sleep sack vs swaddle for the next step.
“Should my 2 month old be sleeping through the night?”
Not necessarily. Some babies have a longer first stretch at this age, many don’t, and both are normal. The NHS says some babies sleep 5 to 8 hours or longer at night from about 3 to 6 months, but not all. Keep night feeds calm and follow your baby’s hunger.
Safe sleep at 2 months
- Place your baby on their back for every sleep, naps included, until their first birthday (AAP).
- Use a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard, with no blankets, pillows, bumpers or toys. The CDC describes the same safe sleep area.
- Share a room, not a bed, ideally for at least the first 6 months (AAP).
- If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, swing or carrier, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface on their back as soon as you can (AAP). See is it safe for baby to sleep in a car seat.
- Swaddle only on the back, keep the hips loose, avoid overheating, and stop at the first signs of trying to roll (AAP). Our guide on when to stop swaddling walks you through it.
More in our safe sleep practices guide.
When to talk to your doctor
- Your baby is younger than 3 months (12 weeks) and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher: call your pediatrician right away (AAP). See our guide to baby fever.
- Your baby is very sleepy, hard to wake or too sleepy to feed.
- Your baby has fewer wet diapers than usual or is feeding much less.
- Your baby doesn’t react to loud sounds, doesn’t smile at you or doesn’t hold the head up during tummy time by 2 months (CDC milestones). It’s fine to bring it up at the checkup.
- You notice snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Your baby cries in a way that sounds unusual or can’t be comforted for long periods.
- You feel overwhelmed or low. The AAP and CDC say never to shake a baby: if you feel upset, put your baby down somewhere safe, step away and ask someone for help. Your pediatrician can point you to support.
- Call 911 if your baby stops breathing, turns blue or gray, or can’t be woken.
Not sure if it can wait? Our guide on when to call the pediatrician lists the signs.
Frequently asked questions
How many naps should a 2 month old take?
Many 2-month-olds take 4 to 5 naps a day, and some take more short ones. Short naps are normal at this age. This is a common pattern, not an official rule.
What are wake windows for a 2 month old?
About 45 minutes to 1.5 hours between sleeps is a common rough guide. Wake windows are not an official AAP measure, so watch your baby’s tired signs as well.
What time should a 2 month old go to bed?
There’s no set bedtime at this age. Many babies start their longest sleep somewhere between about 7 and 10 p.m. Keep a short, similar routine each evening and let the time follow your baby’s last nap and tired signs.
How long should a 2 month old sleep at night?
There’s no official number. Night feeds are expected, and the NHS says newborns wake repeatedly at night for the first few months. Some babies start to have one longer stretch, and that’s a bonus, not a target.
Is it normal for a 2 month old to sleep a lot?
Many 2-month-olds still sleep for much of the day. A sleepier day after vaccines can happen. But a baby who is hard to wake, too sleepy to feed or has fewer wet diapers needs a call to your pediatrician.
Can I sleep train a 2 month old?
Sleep training is generally discussed for babies 4 months and older. At 2 months, focus on day and night cues, a short bedtime routine and safe sleep. If you’re thinking about sleep training later, compare the options in our guide to sleep training methods and talk to your pediatrician.
Browse more sleep guides on our baby sleep page, or see a simple baby bedtime routine.
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
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Getting Your Baby to Sleep
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Swaddling: Is It Safe?
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Responding to Your Baby’s Cries
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Fever: When to Call the Pediatrician
- CDC: Important Milestones: Your Baby By Two Months
- CDC: Possible Side Effects from Vaccines
- NHS: Helping your baby to sleep
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you’re worried about your baby, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.