Infant Sleeping Hours: How to Get Your Baby to Sleep Longer
Sleeping is vital—it’s our chance to recharge and process the information and emotions we gather throughout the day. We spend about a third of our lives asleep. It’s well known that adults need 6 to 8 hours of sleep, but babies sleep nearly all day. Why is this? Why do babies need so much sleep, and what are the best sleep patterns during their first year? How can you help your baby sleep calmly and undisturbed? These are questions all parents ask from the moment their baby is born. Let’s try to answer them.From the first to the third or fourth week, babies do not distinguish between day and night. In the first two weeks, newborns are almost insensitive to external noise and stimuli, often sleeping [an average of 16-20 hours a day]. This is part of their adaptation to the new environment. Sleep and wakefulness are closely tied to feeding. Since their stomachs are small, babies wake frequently to feed on mother’s milk. During the day, a newborn wakes every 2-3 hours, and at night every 3-4 hours. Night sleep typically totals about 10 hours, and daytime sleep is about 7-8 hours. Periods of wakefulness are brief—usually 30 to 40 minutes—during which babies wake, feed, have their diapers changed, and drift off to sleep again. Sleep is essential for a baby and lack of it can be detrimental to their development.
External factors greatly impact the quality and duration of sleep. When a child is born, parents should monitor the temperature and humidity in the baby’s room. It’s best to dress your baby warmly but keep the room’s air fresh. The ideal temperature should be 18-20°C, with humidity between 50-70%. It’s a good idea to buy a humidifier before the baby arrives. Babies may wake at night due to thirst caused by “heat” and dry air in the nursery.
- Learn to recognize when your baby is in light or deep sleep. During light sleep, their eyelids twitch, facial expressions change, and they may move their arms or legs. Sometimes, your baby might begin to whimper. Don’t rush to pick them up—you might wake them. Wait a bit; they’ll likely settle down.
- Prevent the baby from waking due to sudden arm movements. In the first weeks, try swaddling, though some babies may dislike it.
- Don’t put your baby to sleep on their tummy. It’s not safe. Lay them on their back or side instead.
- Cover your baby with a blanket up to chest level.
- If you need to change diapers at night, avoid turning on the light. Use a nightlight instead.
- Until about 1.5 to 2 years old, your baby should sleep without a pillow.
NB! If your baby is crying or restless, there’s always a reason—perhaps they’re hungry, thirsty, have colic, need a diaper change, or maybe they miss their mother.
Sleep from 1.5-2 months to 3-4 months
During this period, babies should sleep at least 18 hours daily, with 3-4 daytime naps. Night sleep increases to about 11 hours, and babies are awake for longer periods.
Your baby is starting to notice sounds and observe the world. In the afternoon, when you put your baby down for naps, draw the curtains and try not to make too much noise. However, don’t make it too quiet, as your baby may become sensitive and wake up at every little sound.
Recommendation:
Establish a bedtime routine. Bathe your baby in warm—but not too warm—water, dim the lights before bedtime, create a calm environment, play quiet classical music, sing a lullaby, or read a book. Even infants benefit from being read to. This helps your baby relax and fall asleep more easily. Rest is important to process new experiences and information gathered while awake, so your baby wakes refreshed and energetic. A poor night’s sleep can make your baby tired, sluggish, and irritable the next day.
At 4-5 months
Babies sleep about 17 hours a day at this stage, with slightly shorter daytime naps. They need two long naps of about 3 hours, and one or two shorter naps (30 minutes) after lunch. By five months, it’s normal for your baby to skip one daytime nap. At night, they may wake up 2-3 times to feed.
Recommendation:
From the first days of life, take your baby outside as much as possible. In the first three weeks, go for short walks. Later, aim for two walks a day—morning and evening—totaling at least 3-4 hours. Babies often nap longer while outdoors, and an evening walk can help them settle and wake up less during the night.
Advice:
To help your child quickly adapt to new routines (including sleep schedules), try our unique Parenting Mentor Test. You’ll receive personalized recommendations for your baby and practical advice for parents to help organize your day and avoid exhaustion. Well-rested parents with time for each other ensure a happy childhood for their baby.
From 6 to 9 months
At this age, your baby will sleep around 15 hours a day. Daytime sleep drops to 2-3 naps: two main naps of 2 to 2.5 hours and a shorter afternoon nap. At night, some babies may sleep through without waking.
NB! If your baby is not fussy when falling asleep or waking up, that’s a good sign. But if they are nervous in the morning or cry often and seem reluctant to play, review your sleep routine. Your baby may need more sleep. Try putting them to bed earlier to lengthen their rest at night.
At 10-11 months
At this age, babies need about 14 hours of sleep: about 10 hours at night and 4 hours during the day. As your child actively explores and plays, it’s important not to overstimulate them before bedtime. Calm games in the evening help prevent restless sleep or frequent awakening.
At 12 months
By now, your baby has developed consistent sleep patterns, usually 14 hours per day: 10-11 hours at night, and 3-4 hours during the day. We recommend one main nap in the morning or before lunch for 2-2.5 hours, and a shorter nap in the afternoon.
Remember, a healthy baby’s sleep is deep and restorative, resulting in a cheerful and active child. If your baby is sleeping too long, too little, or is frequently crying, it may be due to illness or teething. If you’re concerned about your child’s sleep, consult your pediatrician!
Advice:
By taking our Parenting Mentor Test, you’ll learn how to prevent common sleep disturbances and create the best possible conditions for your baby’s healthy rest. A well-rested baby means more smiles and laughter during the day.