The good news? Baby sleep patterns vary by age, and they do figure out their sleep schedule eventually. Which means a good night’s rest is in your future. Here are some sleep milestones to expect when it comes to baby sleeping patterns.
Baby Sleep Schedule
Birth to 3 weeks
In the first few weeks, your infant will sleep between 12 and 20 hours a day, waking every two to three hours for meals.
Month 1
When it comes to following a sleep schedule, some babies are better than others at staying awake in the day and sleeping at night. The important thing is that your little one gets the rest they need for brain development.
To help encourage nighttime sleep, feed or change your baby quietly with the lights low. Another trick is rocking them back to sleep or patting them gently. A little quiet music is good too.
Month 2
For better or worse, your baby’s sleep style is probably established by the second month. Try to create schedules that work for both of you.
Month 4
Your baby may stay up for longer stretches and sleep for longer ones too. Almost as regularly as a grownup! However, they’ll nap several times during the day and may still need a late-night feeding.
Month 6
As your child becomes more aware of their surroundings, it may be harder for them to settle down for bed. A steady schedule at night—a warm bath followed by a feeding and story—helps calm them and allows them to adjust.
Month 8
Most babies settle into a comfortable sleeping routine by eight months old. However, your little one might experience separation anxiety around this time. This causes them to wake up looking for you, or to resist going to sleep – it’s sweet, but not when you’re so very tired. Try staying in the room until your baby’s drowsy. Cracking the door when you leave also helps. That way your baby can still hear you.
1 year
All that activity throughout the day can tire your kiddo out. Creating a wind-down routine at bedtime can help you both get the restful night's sleep you've been dreaming about.
Your baby’s sleep patterns are unique to them and can vary during the first year, so keep that in mind. Do your best to relax and take a deep breath—a restful night’s sleep isn’t too far away!
