How Much Sleep Does Your Baby Need?

As a mum, I know very well that it is not easy being a first time parent! It all changes as soon as your bundle of joy arrives…

Little man as a baby
Little man as a baby

Congratulations! You’re a new parent and you’ve got many a question about how your life will change. You’re elated, overwhelmed, in love, exhausted, nervous and scared out of your mind. Welcome to the biggest rollercoaster of your life which you wouldn’t change for the world.

One of the biggest questions that new parents ask upon their precious new arrival is how much sleep will my child need? Of course, every baby is different, but we’ve put together some general guidelines of how much your baby is likely to sleep from month one through to five years old.

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Up to 3 months old

The average baby reportedly gets a total of between 14-16 hours of sleep – but of course it’s not always at night. Some super sleepy babies have been known to sleep up to 19 hours in one single 24 hour day… lucky you! Other energetic ones have been known to sleep as little as 8 hours.

While your baby needs lots of sleep, they won’t stay asleep for more than three to four hours at a time in their first few months so be prepared for some (or many) interrupted nights. Newborns tend to nap three to five times a day and naps tend to last between 45 minutes to 4 hours. In between naps, babies tend to stay awake for 45 – 60 minutes.

During the first month there is no predictable sleep pattern so just go with it… you have no other option.

3 – 6 months old

Babies still sleep a lot with an average of approximately 14 hours sleep. The sleeps tend to be for longer periods in one sitting with less nap breaks and a more regular sleep/wake pattern has begun to emerge.

At some point between 4 – 6 months, many babies settle and will sleep through the night for a full 8-12 hour duration.  This won’t always be the case however, so if you’re little one isn’t quite there yet don’t fret as you’re not alone.

6 – 12 months old

Your child is awake for longer periods in between morning and afternoon naps which means that when they do sleep, they can sleep for longer.  Consistent bed times will help regulate sleep patterns.

If your baby is still not sleeping soundly for five or six hours straight you’re not alone. Many babies still wake up for feeding during these months.

Some babies who were previously great sleepers may at this point begin to wake up again or have difficulty falling asleep; this is usually due to separation anxiety.

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1 – 2 years old

As your child gets older the amount of sleep needed to aid with development reduces. It is likely that they’ll lose their morning nap, instead only napping once a day for around 2 hours.

While toddlers are advised to get up to 14 hours of sleep per day, they typically get about 10.

Typical bedtime hours are from between 7 and 9pm to between 6 and 8am.

2 – 4 years old

Nap times have gradually become shorter and shorter and only one is needed each day, some children however stop napping altogether.

Sleep problems include resistance to bedtime and the development of nightmares.

Little man starting school
Little man starting school

5 years old

Even though they still feel like your little baby, your child is now five years old and will have started school! It may seem like your child is a ‘big kid’ compared to last year, but they still require a bedtime routine just as much as previous years, ideally 10-12 hours to ensure they can stay focused during the daytime and avoid cranky moods as much as possible.

Use a baby monitor

Of course the amount of sleep actually needed by each baby will vary depending on routine, personality and health. The first few months can be the hardest for parents, who may need to get up regularly to tend to their child, but to make sleep monitoring easier use a baby monitor such as the EyeOn Baby Monitor. 

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The EyeOn baby monitor allows mums to keep an eye on what matters most to them, 24 hours a day, wherever they are from their iPhone, iPad or Android device through the free mydlink™ Baby App.

  • Secure Streaming with HD Clarity
  • Real-time notifications to alert you to noise or movement
  • Play a choice of five soothing lullabies in order to help your little one settle
  • Keep an eye on the room temperature in order to ensure conditions are at their prime
  • Wireless monitoring and two-way audio
  • Image & video recording

All parents say their children grow up fast, so don’t miss a minute with a D-Link EyeOn baby monitor.

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