What’s My Baby’s Nap Schedule?

“What’s My Baby’s Schedule?” is probably the most searchable topic when it comes to a parent running to Google! And to be honest, I made the exact same search with my daughter was a newborn. I naïvely typed into Google asking for a newborn schedule…. SOMEONE!! Just give me a schedule for my newborn! 

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I vividly remember telling my mom how I was going to try something called Eat/Play/Sleep and she asked, “What’s wrong with Eat/Sleep/Play?” … *blank stare*….I wasn’t sure! As a first time mom I was just grasping at straws to help my baby sleep well. 

Now on the other side, I know the exact schedule you need- and at each age!! Even better? I’ve got TWO ways you can keep a chart on your phone, handy at all times!

NEWBORNS: 

No schedule for you guys!!! In fact, your baby won’t know the difference between day & night until 8-9 weeks from due date. At this age your baby needs all the help to fall asleep, stay asleep and we’re most concerned about safe sleep, establishing great feeds and practicing sleep routines! (Like the sounds of that? Check out our FREE Newborn Daytime Routines guide!)

 

4-5 MONTHS:

Still not ready for a set schedule…ah! I know! You were hoping I’d give that to you! But still at this age your baby craves a certain awake time, and then down for a nap. Think 3-4 naps per day, total of 3.5-4 hours of daytime sleep. PLUS 11-12 hours at night (with 1 possible night feed, unless medically directed). 

 

6-12 MONTHS:

FINALLY!!! Your baby is ready for a schedule! Between 6-7 months old your little one will need to transition to 2 naps per day. The best news?! They’ll get to keep it until 12-14 months old! So you finally get to hang onto something for a good while!! PRAISE HANDS!!! At this age we’re looking for 2 naps totaling 3 hours of daytime sleep. PLUS 11-12 hours at night with 0 night wakes (unless medically directed). 

 

13 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS:

Around 12-14 months old we’re looking into the 2 to 1 nap transition. It’s a tough one, but once you’ve nailed down that midday nap your child will keep this until 2.5-3 years old. They’ll need 1 midday nap totaling 1.5-2.5 hours of sleep PLUS 11-12 hours at night with 0 night wakings. 

 

3 YEARS+

Probably the one you reeeeeally don’t want me to inform you on 😆 But between 2.5-3 years old children are ready to stop napping. They’ll need 11-12 hours of sleep within a 24 hour period. This means if they are at a daycare/preschool with naptime, you’ll need to deduct that total from the night time. In our Preschool Sleep E-Coaching I share how to talk with their school about capping or dropping the nap, and make the most of night sleep!

Want a more SPECIFIC schedule with just your child’s age?
Use our FREE schedule generator!!

Cheers to peaceful naps and sweet dreams, ya’ll!

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Interested in learning more about sleep needs as a child grows? See National Sleep Foundation Chart