Like adults, babies need different amounts of sleep.
In the first few months, it’s likely that babies won’t sleep for more than 1-3 hours at a time. Babies will wake frequently because they need feeding. Between 9 and 12 months, your baby may start sleeping through the night.
Babies can wake up because they are worried about separation from their parents, but a reassuring touch or cuddle can help them get back to sleep. As they get older, babies slowly outgrow this worry.
According to the experts at House Call Doctor, it helps to have a consistent bed time routine, which can include bath time, a story, cuddle or changing into pyjamas.
Newborn
Newborns need a total of 16.5 hours sleep, including 3 daytime naps totalling 8 hours. At this age, babies are still learning the difference between day and night.
One month
Babies who are 1-month old need 3 naps totalling 6-7 hours of sleep during the day, and 8-9 hours at night.
Three months
At 3-months, babies need between 14 and 16 hours of sleep, with 3 naps totalling 5 hours during the day.
Six months
A six-month-old baby needs 3 daytime naps of an hour each and 11 hours at night.
Nine months
A 9-month old baby needs 13.5 hours of sleep overall, with 2 naps equalling 2.5 hours.
Twelve months
Babies at 12 months need 13.5 hours of sleep with 2 naps totalling 2.5 hours. By 12 months, most babies are ready for bed between 6 and 10pm and will take less than 30 minutes to fall asleep.
If you’re concerned your baby is not getting enough sleep, record your child’s sleep over the course of a week and consult your doctor.
