Baby Nap Schedule by Age: 0 to 18 Months
Nap schedules are one of the most-searched topics in baby sleep, and one of the most variable. The timings here are evidence-based averages; your baby may run 2–4 weeks ahead or behind these ranges. The principle to follow is wake windows first, clock times second.
Newborn Schedule (0–6 weeks)
There is no schedule at this stage. Newborns have no circadian rhythm and their sleep is governed entirely by hunger and the basic sleep-wake cycle. The goal is to observe sleepy cues (yawning, glazed eyes, quieting) and put baby down before they become overtired.
| Age | Wake windows | Naps/day | Total sleep | Longest stretch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | 45–60 min | 5–8 | 16–18 hours | 2–3 hrs |
| 2–6 weeks | 45–75 min | 4–6 | 15–17 hours | 3–4 hrs |
| 6–8 weeks | 60–90 min | 4–5 | 14–16 hours | 4–5 hrs |
Sample newborn day (6 weeks): Wake 7am → nap 8:15am → wake 9:15am → nap 10:45am → wake 11:45am → nap 1:30pm → wake 2:30pm → nap 4pm → wake 5pm → catnap 6:15pm → bedtime 8pm.
2–3 Months Schedule
The first hints of circadian rhythm appear around 6–8 weeks. A longer night stretch often begins. Wake windows extend slightly. A loose eat-play-sleep pattern starts to be useful.
| Age | Wake windows | Naps/day | Total sleep | Longest stretch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 60–90 min | 4–5 | 14–16 hours | 4–6 hrs |
| 3 months | 75–100 min | 4 | 14–15 hours | 5–7 hrs |
Sample 3-month day: Wake 7am → nap 8:30am → wake 9:30am → nap 11:15am → wake 12:30pm → nap 2:15pm → wake 3:30pm → nap 5pm → wake 5:40pm → bedtime 7pm.
4–5 Months Schedule
The 4-month sleep regression typically disrupts a period of improving sleep. Sleep architecture permanently changes to more adult-like cycling. Naps may fragment. This is when consistent routines start to make a significant difference.
| Age | Wake windows | Naps/day | Total sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 months | 90–120 min | 3–4 | 14–15 hours |
| 5 months | 100–130 min | 3 | 13–15 hours |
Sample 5-month day (3 naps): Wake 7am → Nap 1: 8:45am–10am → Nap 2: 12pm–1:30pm → Nap 3 (catnap): 3:45pm–4:30pm → Bedtime 6:30pm.
6 Months Schedule
Most babies settle into a clear 3-nap pattern at 6 months: a morning nap (longer), an afternoon nap (longer), and an early evening catnap (short, 30–45 min). The catnap bridges to bedtime and is the first nap that will eventually drop.
| Nap | Typical time | Duration | Wake window before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nap 1 | 8:30–10am | 45–90 min | ~1.5 hrs from wake |
| Nap 2 | 12–1:30pm | 60–90 min | ~2 hrs from nap 1 wake |
| Nap 3 (catnap) | 4–4:30pm | 30–45 min | ~2 hrs from nap 2 wake |
| Bedtime | 7–7:30pm | Night | ~2.5 hrs from nap 3 wake |
8–10 Months Schedule (3→2 nap transition)
The transition from 3 naps to 2 usually happens between 6 and 9 months. Signs it's time: the third catnap becomes impossible, bedtime gets pushed too late, or the first two naps are consistently long. The transition takes 2–4 weeks of inconsistency.
| Nap | Typical time | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Morning nap | 9–10am | 60–90 min |
| Afternoon nap | 1:30–3pm | 60–90 min |
| Bedtime | 6:30–7:30pm | Night (~11 hrs) |
12+ Months Schedule (2→1 nap transition)
The 2-to-1 nap transition typically happens between 12 and 18 months. Signs: first nap pushed later and later, second nap more and more hard to achieve, or bedtime pushed past 8pm. Move to a single midday nap of 1.5–2 hours. Expect 2–4 weeks of adjustment.
| Age | Wake time | Nap | Bedtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–15 months | 7am | 12–2pm (2 hrs) | 7–7:30pm |
| 15–18 months | 7am | 12:30–2pm (90 min) | 7:30–8pm |
| 18–24 months | 7am | 1–2:30pm (90 min) | 7:30–8pm |
Nap Transitions: Signs and Timings
| Transition | Typical age | Signs it's time | Transition period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 naps → 4 naps | 4–6 weeks | Wake windows stretching past 60 min | 1–2 weeks |
| 4 naps → 3 naps | 3–4 months | 3rd nap pushing bedtime late | 2–3 weeks |
| 3 naps → 2 naps | 6–9 months | Catnap impossible, bedtime too late | 2–4 weeks |
| 2 naps → 1 nap | 12–18 months | Morning nap pushing into afternoon, 2nd nap impossible | 4–6 weeks |
| 1 nap → no nap | 2.5–4 years | Nap time = playtime, night sleep disrupted | Months |