Ashwin Lewis
A two-month-old baby typically sleeps between 14 and 17 hours a day, including four to seven hours' worth of naps. At this stage, babies are learning the difference between night and day, so they sleep more when the sun goes down. Their sleep stretches will usually last between three and six hours. While a two-month-old baby is still too young for sleep training, parents can gently encourage healthy sleep habits. It is important to pay attention to the baby's cues and follow their lead to reinforce their emerging sleep schedule.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total sleep in 24 hours | 12-17 hours |
| Number of naps | 3-6 |
| Nap duration | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Wake windows | 60-90 minutes |
| Night sleep duration | 4-6 hours |
| Sleep position | On their back |
| Crib/Bassinet | Safe and free of toys, pillows, blankets, etc. |
| Swaddling | Safe until they start to roll (usually 3-4 months) |
| Dream feed | Try feeding baby before you sleep |
| Daytime routine | Encourage play and activity to teach the difference between day and night |
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What You'll Learn
Daytime naps: 2-3 naps of 30 minutes to 2 hours
At two months, a baby's sleep schedule should be flexible and based on their individual needs. There is a wide range of "normal" when it comes to a two-month-old's naps. Generally, babies this age take 2-3 naps during the day, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. While there isn't a set number of naps that works best, it's important not to let any one nap go longer than 2 hours.
During the newborn months, it's normal and expected for naps to vary quite a bit each day. As your baby grows and develops, you can start to establish a more consistent routine. A baby's wake window, or the length of time they stay awake between naps, can be used as a guide to determine their nap schedule. At two months, the recommended wake window is around 60-90 minutes.
To help your baby develop healthy sleep habits, it's important to be responsive to their sleepy cues, feeding needs, and nap lengths. Follow your baby's lead and watch for signs that they are ready for sleep, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy.
Additionally, creating a soothing bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that it's time for sleep. This might include bathing, reading, or singing lullabies. It's also important to ensure that your baby's sleep environment is safe and free of hazards. Keep the space clear of any plush toys, pillows, blankets, or other items that could pose a risk of suffocation or entanglement.
By understanding your baby's unique needs and following their lead, you can establish a flexible nap routine that supports their healthy development and well-being.
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Night-time sleep: stretches of 4-6 hours
At two months old, a baby's sleep schedule should be flexible and based on their individual needs and development. While there is no set number of naps that works best, a 2-month-old baby typically takes 4-6 naps per day, with each nap lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. It is recommended that you don't let any one nap go longer than 2 hours and that your baby's total night sleep doesn't exceed 12-12.5 hours.
As your baby grows and develops, you can expect their sleep patterns to change. By the time they are 6 months old, they might be having longer stretches of night-time sleep of 5 to 6 hours. This is considered "sleeping through the night" for babies at this stage. It's important to prioritize your baby's safety during sleep. Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Keep soft items like toys, pillows, blankets, and quilts out of your baby's sleep area to prevent the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature and avoid covering their head while they sleep to prevent overheating.
To promote longer stretches of night-time sleep, establish a consistent bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can signal the end of the day and soothe your baby before sleep. Be consistent with these steps, so your baby associates them with sleeping. Additionally, aim to practice having one nap each day in the crib or bassinet. Follow your baby's sleepy cues and wake windows, ensuring they go down for a nap or bedtime before becoming overtired.
As your baby approaches the age of 6 months, you may notice changes in their sleep habits due to new developments. They may learn to keep themselves awake, especially if they are in a stimulating environment or a place with a lot of light and noise. This can result in settling difficulties, and you may need to help them resettle if they get into an uncomfortable position. Separation anxiety can also impact sleep at this age, as babies understand that things exist even when out of sight. As a result, they may call or cry out for you when you leave the bedroom.
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Safe sleep practices: firm, flat surface, no loose items
To ensure your baby's safety while sleeping, it is recommended that they sleep on a firm, flat surface. This can be a crib or bassinet, and it is important to ensure that any sleep products you use have been approved by the relevant safety authorities and meet federal safety standards.
One of the most important aspects of safe sleep practices is creating a safe sleep environment for your baby. Here are some key considerations:
- Keep soft objects, loose bedding, or any items that could increase the risk of suffocation away from the baby's sleep area. This includes plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, and bumper pads.
- Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Do not overbundle or cover your baby's head while they are sleeping.
- Be cautious about secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
- Avoid items with cords, ties, ribbons, or any sharp edges or corners that could pose a hazard.
Additionally, it is recommended to place babies on their backs to sleep for the first twelve months. Once a baby can roll over independently, it is generally considered safe for them to sleep on their stomach as long as they are not swaddled. However, it is important to always place them on their back first and allow them to roll over on their own. If your baby starts showing signs of rolling over, it is important to stop swaddling them.
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Sleep cues: yawning, fussiness, eye-rubbing
At two months, babies typically take 4-6 naps per day, with each nap lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. It is recommended that you don't let any one nap go longer than 2 hours, and that their night sleep doesn't last longer than 12-12.5 hours.
Sleep cues are physical and behavioural signs that indicate that your baby is ready for sleep. The most common sleep cues are yawning and eye-rubbing, but these may not always be obvious in your child. Other sleep cues include:
- Fussiness
- Pulling their ears
- Staring into space
- Slowing in activity levels
- Avoiding eye contact
- Increased fussiness
- Decreased activity
- Reduced smiling and babbling
Babies may also show signs of being overtired, which can make it more difficult for them to fall asleep and result in more restless sleep. Signs of an overtired baby include:
- Yawning frequently (more than a few times per minute)
- Taking shorter cat naps that are not as restorative
- Sleeping at times when they would normally be awake
- Increased fussiness and agitation
- Moodiness and behavioural challenges
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Bedtime routine: bathing, reading, singing
At two months old, your baby is still sleeping and waking at all hours of the day and night, but may have fallen into some semblance of a routine. They've gotten used to being outside the womb and may have started sleeping for slightly longer stretches at a time.
It's still too early for sleep training, but you can gently encourage sleep habits to help your baby separate night from day and go longer between feedings at night. You can start by establishing a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal an end to the day.
Bathing
A soothing bath can help your baby get used to a bedtime routine. Warm water has sleep-inducing powers. Try incorporating a mild soap or lotion with chamomile or lavender into your baby's bathtime for extra relaxation. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't recommend bathing newborns and babies every night as it can dry out their delicate, sensitive skin.
Reading
Reading helps set the stage for language development in babies. Reading in the evening before bed is the perfect opportunity to create a calming bedtime routine. Narrate your day as you talk to your baby. Use simple-to-understand phrases to narrate your actions as you interact with your baby during dressing, diaper changes, bathing, and feeding times. You can also show your baby colourful objects of different shapes, sizes, and textures, such as sensory toys, rattles, or plush toys.
Singing
Singing is another way to soothe your baby and signal that it's time for bed. You don't need to limit yourself to baby music. Sing whatever songs you enjoy listening to or play some music and dance with your baby.
Consistency is key when it comes to bedtime routines. Being consistent will help your baby associate these steps with sleeping. However, it's important to be flexible and adjust as needed. As your baby gets older, their needs will change, and what worked for them before may no longer be effective. For example, bathtime before bed may turn rowdier, in which case you can move bathtime to earlier in the routine and leave the more relaxing strategies, like reading or a baby massage, for closer to bedtime.
It's also important to remember that every baby is different. Some babies may start sleeping through the night as early as 10-12 weeks, while others may not sleep through the night until much older. Your baby's sleep schedule will depend on their individual needs, including their feeding needs, sleepy cues, and nap lengths.
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Frequently asked questions
A 2-month-old baby needs about 15 to 15.5 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, with 5-6 hours of daytime sleep broken into 4-5 naps. However, this varies from baby to baby, with some sleeping up to 17 hours in total.
Naps can range from 10 minutes to 2 hours. It is recommended that you don't let any one nap go longer than 2 hours.
A consistent bedtime routine can help cue your baby that it's time to sleep. This can be short and sweet, such as a diaper change, putting on pajamas, feeding, and singing a lullaby. It's also important to use a firm, flat sleep surface that meets federal safety standards and to avoid bundling your baby in too many layers or covering their head while they sleep.
