Gina Johnson
Establishing a healthy sleep schedule for a newborn can be challenging for parents. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that infants up to 3 months old get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. This usually includes 2-3 daytime naps lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours each, followed by a longer sleeping through the night stretch after a late-night feeding. However, it's important to note that each baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may vary. Some general recommendations for establishing a healthy sleep routine include creating a soothing bedtime routine, ensuring safe sleep spaces, and being mindful of separation anxiety, which can impact sleep around 6 months of age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Sleep in 24 hours | 14-17 hours |
| Number of naps | 2-3 |
| Duration of each nap | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Night-time sleep | 5-6 hours |
| Maximum daytime sleep | 5 hours |
| Night-time sleep | 10-12 hours |
| Sleep cycle | 50-60 minutes |
| Staying awake | 60-90 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Babies should sleep 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period
According to the National Sleep Foundation, infants up to 3 months old should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. This usually consists of 2-3 daytime naps lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours each, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding. However, at this stage, "sleeping through the night" typically refers to a stretch of only 5 or 6 hours of sleep.
At 2-3 months, babies start developing day and night sleep patterns. They may sleep in cycles of 50-60 minutes, with active sleep, where they move around and grunt, and quiet sleep, where they sleep more deeply. At the end of each cycle, they may wake up and need help settling into the next sleep cycle.
To ensure your baby gets enough sleep, establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing. Activities such as bathing, reading, and singing can soothe your baby and signal the end of the day. Some babies also find swaddling (wrapping in a light blanket) comforting, although this should be discontinued once they start to roll over, typically around 3 to 4 months. Additionally, creating a safe sleep environment is crucial. All sleep surfaces and products should be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
It's important to note that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may vary. Some babies may still wake up frequently during the night for feedings, and it's normal for them to experience night awakenings due to factors such as separation anxiety, overstimulation, or overtiredness. If your baby is wakeful and grumpy and getting much less sleep than expected, consider providing more opportunities for sleep during the day. Prioritizing daytime calories can also contribute to longer stretches of sleep at night.
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Daytime naps should last 30 minutes to 2 hours
A 2-3 month old baby should sleep for a total of 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period. During the day, they will usually have 2-3 naps lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours each.
At this age, babies are developing night and day sleep patterns. They will usually have a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding. However, it's important to note that "sleeping through the night" at this stage is considered to be a stretch of only 5 or 6 hours.
To ensure your baby is getting enough sleep during the day, it's recommended that their naps don't exceed 2 hours. This is to make sure they have enough awake time during the day to meet their developmental milestones and get their daytime calories. Prioritizing daytime calories can also help work towards longer stretches of sleep at night.
It's important to establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. Some babies also like to be swaddled (wrapped in a light blanket) until they start to roll, which typically happens around 3-4 months of age.
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Nighttime sleep can be 5-6 hours
At 2-3 months old, babies typically sleep for a total of 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period. During the day, they usually take 2-3 naps lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours each. It is important not to let any single nap exceed 2 hours, as this ensures that your baby has enough awake time during the day to meet their developmental milestones and consume sufficient calories.
At this age, babies are developing a sleep pattern that distinguishes night from day. "Sleeping through the night" for a 2-3-month-old is typically considered a stretch of 5-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. While this may not seem like a long period, it is a significant milestone for young infants and their parents.
To facilitate longer stretches of nighttime sleep, it is beneficial to prioritise daytime calories. By ensuring your baby is well-nourished during the day, you can work towards reducing night feedings gradually and gently. This approach will help your baby sleep for more extended periods at night.
Establishing a bedtime routine can also be advantageous. Activities such as bathing, reading, and singing can soothe your baby and signal the end of the day. Additionally, you can consider room-sharing without bed-sharing to keep your baby nearby, making feeding, comforting, and monitoring more manageable during the night.
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Babies have different sleep cycles than adults
A 2-3 month old baby should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. At this age, babies usually take 2-3 daytime naps lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours each. Night-time sleeps also get longer, with some babies sleeping for 5-6 hours at a stretch.
Sleep is important for a baby's healthy growth and development. Understanding their unique sleep cycles can help parents set schedules and routines. Newborns and babies have general sleep cycles that differ from those of adults. They sleep for shorter periods, similar to the length of adult naps. This is because they have smaller stomachs and frequently wake up due to hunger.
The sleep cycle of a baby can be divided into five stages:
- The baby feels drowsy and starts to drift off to sleep.
- REM sleep, or active sleep phase, where the baby moves around and grunts.
- Light sleep, where the baby's sleep becomes less active.
- Deep non-REM sleep, or quiet sleep, where the baby sleeps deeply and doesn't move as much.
- Another stage of deep non-REM sleep, where it becomes more difficult to wake the baby.
Babies' sleep cycles are usually about 40-60 minutes, while adults' sleep cycles are typically 90 minutes. Babies are lighter sleepers and spend more of their sleep time in REM sleep, which is important for their development. As babies grow, their sleep cycles evolve and start to resemble those of adults, with longer stretches of deep sleep.
It's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep routines may emerge at different times. Some babies may start sleeping for longer periods and less frequently from 3 to 4 months old, while others may take longer to establish a consistent sleep pattern. Irregular sleep patterns are common during the first few months.
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A bedtime routine can help soothe babies
A 2-3 month old baby should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. During this stage, a baby's "sleeping through the night" is considered a stretch of 5-6 hours. During the day, babies this age typically take 2-3 naps lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours each.
It is important to avoid anything that might overstimulate your baby right before bed. Time in front of a TV or tablet screen may keep them up at night. Researchers found that 3-month-olds who watched TV for 34 minutes lost 22 minutes of sleep over the course of a day.
Consistency is key to a soothing bedtime routine. A regular bedtime routine helps your baby understand when it's time to sleep. You can also incorporate sleep associations your baby knows, such as a story or song, into their naptime routine.
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Frequently asked questions
A 2-3 month old baby typically needs between 14 and 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
Naps during the day typically last between 30 minutes and 2 hours. It is recommended that you don't let any single nap go longer than 2 hours so that your baby has enough time to be awake and alert during the day.
At this age, "sleeping through the night" is usually considered a stretch of 5-6 hours. Most babies will sleep 8-10 hours at night once they reach 3 months old. By 6 months old, some babies might be having longer sleeps of 6 hours at night.
