The most common question we are asked is; “How long should my baby/child sleep/nap?”. And we have always bucked against the trend to be prescriptive about this advice. Many babies and children are happy and content on more or less sleep. These guidelines are based on full term babies and healthy children and are the average amount of awake and sleep your LO may need. But as you already know – not many of us conform to “average!” These guidelines are based on our experience over the past 20 years!
0 – 6/8 weeks
Average sleep in 24 hours; 8 – 18 hrs
Total nap time; 4 – 8 hrs (usually after feeds)
Average amount of night sleep; 8 – 11 hrs (some babies sleep more during the day at this stage!)
Average awake time; 45 – 75 mins
Bedtime; Anytime between 7 – 11pm
Remember babies are learning about life at this stage. More importantly – they will be establishing how to feed proficiently, particularly babies who are breastfeeding. Go with the flow, let baby feed on demand and sleep (or rest) whenever you can.
8 – 12 weeks
Average sleep in 24 hours; 15 – 18 hours
Total nap time; 4 – 7 hours (usually 4-5 naps 30 – 90 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 9 – 11 hours
Average awake time; 50 – 80 mins
Bedtime; Anytime between; 7 – 10pm
3 – 4 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 15 – 18 hours
Total nap time; 4- 6.5 hours (usually baby will begin to establish 4 naps at this stage around 45-90 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 9-12 hrs
Average awake time; 60 – 90 mins
Bedtime; Anytime between; 7 – 9 pm (start bringing bedtime forward and start bedtime routine around 3 months if you haven’t already)
4 – 5 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 14.5-16.5 hrs
Total nap time; 4.5 – 6.5 hrs (usually 4 naps 45-90 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 9-12 hrs
Average awake time; 75 mins – 2.25 hrs
Bedtime; Anytime between; 7 – 9 pm (start bringing bedtime forward by 15-30 mins every 3 days. Most LO’s benefit from a bedtime between 6-8pm)
5 – 6 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 14-16 hrs
Total nap time; 3.5-5 hrs (usually 3-4 naps 45-90 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 10-12 hrs
Average awake time; 2-2.5 hrs
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
6+ – 9 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 14-15.5 hrs
Total nap time; 3.5-4 hrs (usually 3 naps 45-120 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 10-12 hrs
Average awake time; 2.5-4 hrs (last nap should end no later than 4pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
9+ – 12 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 14-15 hrs
Total nap time; 3.5-4 hrs (usually 2 naps 45-120 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 10-12 hrs
Average awake time; 2.5-4 hrs (last nap should end no later than 3pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
12-15 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 13.5-14 hrs
Total nap time; 1.5-4 hrs (usually 1 nap 90-120 mins in length but occasionally LO may need 2 naps)
Average amount of night sleep; 10-12 hrs
Average awake time; 3-5 hrs (last nap should end no later than 3pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
15-18 months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 13.5-14 hrs
Total nap time; 1.5-3 hrs (usually 1 nap 90-120 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 10-12 hrs
Average awake time; 4.5-6 hrs (last nap should end no later than 3pm – and preferably nearer 2.30pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
18-24months
Average sleep in 24 hours; 12-14 hrs
Total nap time; 1.5-3 hrs (usually 1 nap 90-120 mins in length)
Average amount of night sleep; 10-12 hrs
Average awake time; 4.5-6 hrs (last nap should end no later than 3pm – and preferably nearer 2.30pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
2-3 years
Average sleep in 24 hours; 12-14 hrs
Total nap time; 1.5-2 hrs
Average amount of night sleep; 11-12 hrs
Average awake time; 5-6 hrs (last nap should end no later than 2.30pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
3-4 years
Average sleep in 24 hours; 11-14 hrs
Total nap time; 0-2 hrs (although most LO’s will outgrow the need for daily naps at this stage)
Average amount of night sleep; 11-12 hrs
Average awake time; 5-12 hrs (last nap should end no later than 2.30pm)
Bedtime; Anytime between; 6-8 pm
5 yrs – 11 hrs night sleep
6 yrs – 10.75 hrs night sleep
7 yrs – 10.5 hrs nights sleep
8 yrs – 10.25 hrs night sleep
9 yrs – 10 hrs night sleep
10 yrs – 9.75 hrs night sleep
11 yrs – 9.25 hrs night sleep
Please don’t worry if your child is having less or more than the above guidelines. The key thing to look out for is how your child manages him/herself during the day. By observing your baby/child you will know whether they are getting the right amount of sleep for them – although it may not suit you!