What’s My Baby’s Nap Schedule?

If you’re currently holding a baby who just refuses to nap, this blog is for you! Baby sleep schedules can be overwhelming to sort through, and they change so much between 0-12 month old. But in this blog we want to give you the exact baby sleep schedule that you’ve been craving…and one that works!

“What’s My Baby’s Nap 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 when my daughter was a newborn. I naïvely typed into Google asking for a newborn schedule…. SOMEONE!! Just give me a schedule for my newborn!

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!! That’s why I’ve put together a totally free Schedule Generator so you can confidently know your child’s sleep schedule! You can use this free schedule generator  to find out the age-appropriate schedule for your child.

With our Schedule Generator, not only do you get a more clear schedule for your child, but you can also download and save it to your phone to start using right away!

Here’s the general breakdown of your child’s schedule based on their age:

 

NEWBORNS: 

No schedule for you…yet!!! 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!

The good news is, from 0-3 months you can follow a daytime routine that will help your baby sleep well for naps and nights. While this does revolve around an Eat-Play-Sleep concept, it’s also okay that your baby might flip flop between those. Newborns are not robots! Be easy on yourself, and your baby as you learn to establish Newborn Daytime Routines. Click here to grab a totally free Routines Guide just for this age!

 

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).

Babies at 4 months and babies at 5 months old have two different nap expectations as you’ll find inside the Schedule Generator. If you feel like no one is talking about these two separate expectations, we’ve got you! The 4 month baby sleep schedule is explained in full details here and the 5 month baby sleep schedule is explained fully here!

 

6-12 MONTHS:

FINALLY!!! Your baby is ready for a clock 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 Training Course I share how to talk with their school about capping or dropping the nap, and make the most of night sleep!

WANT EVERY SCHEDULE YOU’LL EVER NEED ALL IN ONE SPOT?

Our Complete Schedule Guide has everything you’ll need to keep up with the ever-changing schedule your child has as they grow! If you are struggling to keep track of how much sleep your child needs as they grow and change and want to keep it all in one spot, no matter how old they (or their siblings!) are, then this guide is exactly what you’re looking for!

With 43 pages of a downloadable PDF, you’ll get total guidance for ages newborn-3 years old on their awake windows, schedules, and sleep totals. Plus, the beautifully designed pages are perfect to hang on the fridge or send to daycare! 

Click here to grab yours!!

 

CONCLUSION

You no longer need to Google, “What is my baby’s schedule?!” because here at Little Z’s, we’ve got you covered!

You can find your own, free Schedule Generator here that gives you your exact schedule and includes free downloads for your phone, but here’s the gist:

• Newborns do not have a schedule! At this age, we’re most concerned about safe sleep, establishing great feeds and practicing sleep routines!
• 4-5 Month Olds also have no schedule… yet! Think 3-4 naps per day (3.5-4 hours of daytime sleep) PLUS 11-12 hours at night with a possible night time feed.
• 6-12 Month Olds… FINALLY! A schedule! That’s 2 naps (3 hours of daytime sleep total) AND 11-12 hours at night with no night feeds unless medically directed.
• 13 Months – 3 Years: 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+ Year Olds… I hate to break it to you, but they don’t need a nap at all! They’ll need 11-12 hours of sleep within a 24 hour period.

I hope this frees you up to know exactly what to expect at each age as you make sleep a thing in your family! Peaceful naps and sweet dreams, y’all!!

 

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