How much should a newborn sleep?

Newborns (0-3 months) need 14-17 hours of sleep per day. They sleep in short 2-4 hour stretches throughout day and night. There's no set schedule at this age — follow your baby's cues.

When do babies start sleeping through the night?

Many babies can sleep 6-8 hour stretches by 4-6 months. True "sleeping through the night" (10-12 hours) typically develops between 6-12 months, though some babies take longer.

How many naps should my baby take?

Newborns nap 4-5 times daily. By 6 months, most take 2-3 naps. Around 12-18 months, babies transition to 1 nap. Most children drop naps entirely between ages 3-5.

Is my baby sleeping too much?

Newborns sleeping 14-17 hours is normal. If your older baby consistently exceeds the recommended range, is hard to wake, or seems lethargic, consult your pediatrician. Growth spurts can temporarily increase sleep needs.

What time should my baby go to bed?

Most babies do best with a bedtime between 6:30-8:00 PM. The exact time depends on their age, nap schedule, and wake-up time. Earlier bedtimes often result in better quality sleep.

Why does my baby fight sleep?

Common reasons: overtiredness, undertiredness (not enough awake time), hunger, teething, developmental leaps, or environmental factors. Adjusting wake windows and ensuring a calm pre-sleep routine usually helps.

Baby Sleep Schedule Calculator

Calculate ideal sleep hours for your baby by age. Get total sleep, nap, and nighttime recommendations from newborn to 3 years.

Quick Age Selection

Baby's Age

months

Usual Wake Time

Current Night Sleep

hrs

Current Nap Total

hrs

Sleep Concern

Recommended Total

12–15 hrs

Per 24 hours (AAP guidelines)

Night Sleep Range

10–12 hrs

Longest continuous sleep period

Nap Duration

2.5–3.5 hrs

Across 2–3 nap(s)/day

Wake Window

2–3 hrs

Max awake time between sleeps

Suggested Bedtime

20:00

Based on 7:00 wake + 3 nap(s)

Sleep Debt

1.0 hrs

Baby may need catch-up sleep

Your Baby vs Recommendation

Night Sleep10.0 / 11.0 hrs

Nap Sleep2.5 / 3.0 hrs

Total Sleep12.5 / 13.5 hrs

Suggested Schedule (Wake at 7:00)

Event	Start	End	Duration
Wake Up	7:00	—	—
Nap 1	9:30	10:30	1.0 hrs
Nap 2	13:00	14:00	1.0 hrs
Nap 3	16:30	17:30	1.0 hrs
Bedtime	20:00	—	—

Sleep by Age Reference

Age	Total Sleep	Night	Naps	# Naps	Wake Window
Newborn (0-1 mo)	14–17 hrs	8–9 hrs	7–9 hrs	4–5	0.5–1 hrs
Infant (1-3 mo)	14–17 hrs	8–10 hrs	5–7 hrs	3–5	1–1.5 hrs
Baby (3-5 mo)	12–16 hrs	10–12 hrs	3–4 hrs	3–3	1.5–2.5 hrs
Baby (5-8 mo)	12–15 hrs	10–12 hrs	2.5–3.5 hrs	2–3	2–3 hrs
Baby (8-12 mo)	12–15 hrs	10–12 hrs	2–3 hrs	2–2	2.5–3.5 hrs
Toddler (12-18 mo)	11–14 hrs	10–12 hrs	2–3 hrs	1–2	3–4 hrs
Toddler (18-24 mo)	11–14 hrs	10–12 hrs	1.5–2.5 hrs	1–1	4–5.5 hrs
Toddler (24-36 mo)	10–13 hrs	10–12 hrs	1–2 hrs	0–1	5–6 hrs

Tips for: No issues

Keep a consistent bedtime routine
Ensure room is dark and cool (68-72°F)
Use white noise for continuous sound masking

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Baby Sleep Schedule Calculator

Sleep needs change quickly during the first years of life. Newborns sleep in short cycles across the day, older babies settle into clearer nap patterns, and toddlers gradually shift toward longer nighttime sleep with fewer naps.

Parents often know that sleep matters but still need a practical age-based baseline for how much total sleep, daytime sleep, and nighttime sleep is typical. That baseline helps when building routines and deciding whether the current pattern seems broadly on track.

This calculator shows recommended total sleep, nap duration, nighttime sleep, and a common bedtime range based on age so parents have a starting point for shaping a realistic daily schedule.

When This Page Helps

Every baby has individual sleep patterns, but age-based guidance still gives parents a useful starting point. This page helps translate that guidance into a daily sleep target so routines can be adjusted with something more concrete than guesswork.

How to Use the Inputs

Enter your baby's age in months.
View the recommended total sleep hours.
See the breakdown between naps and nighttime sleep.
Review the typical number of naps per day.
Use the suggested bedtime range to build your routine.

Formula used

0-3 months: 14-17 hours total (4-5 naps)
4-11 months: 12-15 hours total (2-3 naps)
1-2 years: 11-14 hours total (1-2 naps)
3-5 years: 10-13 hours total (0-1 nap)
Source: AASM and AAP guidelines

Example Calculation

Result: 14 hours total (3h naps + 11h night)

An 8-month-old typically needs about 14 hours of total sleep: approximately 3 hours split across 2 naps, plus 11 hours of nighttime sleep. Bedtime around 7:00-7:30 PM is common.

Tips & Best Practices

Watch for sleepy cues: yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness.
An overtired baby actually has more trouble falling asleep.
Consistent bedtime routines (bath, book, song) signal sleep time.
Dark rooms with white noise promote better sleep.
Most babies can drop to 2 naps around 6-8 months.
An earlier bedtime often means longer total sleep, not earlier wake-up.

Sleep and Development

Sleep is when growth hormone is released and the brain consolidates new learning. Babies who consistently get adequate sleep show better cognitive development, emotional regulation, and physical growth.

Creating a Sleep Schedule

Start with your desired wake time and work backward. Count the recommended total nap hours and space them based on age-appropriate wake windows. Set bedtime to allow for the recommended nighttime hours. Adjust over 1-2 weeks as baby adapts.

When to Seek Help

If your baby consistently sleeps far less than recommended, wakes excessively at night beyond 12 months, or shows signs of sleep apnea (snoring, gasping), discuss with your pediatrician. Sleep consultants can also help with persistent challenges.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated: February 10, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Newborns (0-3 months) need 14-17 hours of sleep per day. They sleep in short 2-4 hour stretches throughout day and night. There's no set schedule at this age — follow your baby's cues.