Sleep schedule for newborn to 1year baby’s

Sleep is one of the most important things for a baby. It is a key factor in a baby’s health and development. Parents have to be careful about their baby’s sleep schedule. Sleep defines how healthy a baby is. Babies sleep almost 15 to 18 hours a day, and it changes with time. Let’s have a closer look at the baby sleep schedule.

Sleep Chart

What You Will Find in This Article

• Why sleep is important for babies
• Baby sleep schedule
• What time babies should be in bed
• How to position babies during sleep
• How to ensure enough sleep for your baby
• Is too much sleep okay for babies?

Why Is Sleep Important for Babies?

Sleep is necessary for a baby; it helps in the baby’s growth and development. A lot of development happens while the baby sleeps. Sleep is important for various reasons; let’s take a look at them:

• Brain development occurs during sleep.
• The immune system strengthens while the baby sleeps.
• Proper sleep promotes a fresh mood.
• Adequate sleep contributes to proper weight gain, muscle development, and overall physical well-being.
• Sufficient sleep develops a baby’s learning and language skills.
• Proper sleep regulates a baby’s emotions.
• It also gives parents enough time to rest and refresh, which is important for their mental and physical well-being.

The more babies sleep, the more they improve physically and mentally. You have to be careful about ensuring your baby gets proper sleep.

Sleep Schedule for Babies

Newborn to 3 Months

It is normal for a newborn to sleep 17 to 19 hours a day. During this age, the baby will sleep 7 to 8 hours during the day and 9 to 11 hours at night. Right after birth, they love to sleep and don’t understand much else. At this stage, the child doesn’t distinguish between day and night, so babies should be awakened every two to three hours for breastfeeding. Babies’ stomachs are small, so they can’t eat much at once and need to be fed repeatedly. Newborn babies typically sleep two to five times during the day, each time lasting 1 to 3 hours. This is normal for a newborn, so don’t worry about your baby’s sleep.

4 Months to 8 Months

After 3 months, a baby’s sleep schedule changes. They now sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, with 4 to 5 hours during the daytime and 8 to 10 hours at night. They gradually begin to differentiate between day and night. At night, they sleep for longer stretches and may wake 3 to 4 times to feed, but they do not fully wake up. During the daytime, babies take 2-3 naps lasting 1 to 2 hours, sometimes 2 to 4 hours, which is normal. More sleep promotes more development (both physical and mental). Sleep training starts around this age. Getting babies accustomed to a family routine can be challenging. Don’t get discouraged; remember that all babies are different.

9 Months to 12 Months

By 9 months, babies are used to a sleep schedule. Now, babies establish a perfect day and night sleep routine. At 9 months, babies sleep almost 12 to 16 hours a day, with 9 to 11 hours at night and 3 to 4 hours during the day. Babies may experience sleep regressions during this period because they go through a vigorous phase of growth and brain development. Their sensory system improves, they learn to stand up, and their teeth start coming in, which can disrupt sleep. It may be challenging to maintain a schedule during this time, but stick to the bedtime routine; they will return to a normal sleep pattern.

Babies typically wake up around 6 or 7 am, but this depends on their bedtime. If they go to bed early, they wake up early; if they sleep later, they may greet the day around 9 or 10 am. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule makes life easier and more relaxing for parents.

What Time Should Babies Be Put to Bed?

Newborns have no bedtime routine; they sleep all the time. You need to wake newborns for breastfeeding. They sleep for a stretch of 13 to 15 hours at night and take 4 to 6 naps during the day. Babies take another nap 1 to 1.5 hours after their last nap. They don’t have a consistent bedtime routine, but after 3 months, you can establish a perfect bedtime schedule for your baby. Normally, babies’ bedtime is between 8 to 9 pm, which is the ideal time for bed, and they wake up between 6 to 7 am. If you don’t establish the right bedtime for your baby, it can be harmful to their health, growth, and development. During the day, babies take 3 to 4 naps, with each nap occurring 1.5 to 2 hours after the previous one. Initially, it may be difficult to get babies to sleep at the right time, but once you get used to it, it becomes easier to put them to sleep. So, you must make the effort to establish a perfect bedtime for your baby to make life comfortable for parents.

How Should I Position My Baby During Sleep?

It is important to know how to position your baby during sleep because better sleep depends on it. Incorrect positioning during sleep can be harmful and may even lead to death. Here’s what you should know:

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep; it’s the safest position for a baby’s sleep. Never place a baby on their side or stomach as it increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
• Ensure your baby is comfortable during sleep. Avoid overdressing that can make babies uncomfortable.
• Before sleep, feed your baby; if your baby is breastfeeding, it’s easier to put them to sleep as babies often fall asleep while breastfeeding when they are full. You don’t need to make extra efforts to make the baby sleep at that time.
• Maintain a perfect room temperature before your baby sleeps; ensure the temperature is ideal.
• Room-sharing is okay with your baby until 6 months, but avoid bed-sharing due to safety concerns. However, in my opinion, I share a bed with my newborn, and it’s okay for me. I always ensure my baby’s comfort and safety. If you are cautious, you can share a bed with your baby; otherwise, avoid it.
• Put your baby in a crib or bassinet during sleep. Do not place anything else in the crib or bassinet; keep it clean and free of clutter.
• Offer a pacifier to your baby, but do not force it. If the baby is comfortable with it, they will keep it; if they spit it out, don’t put it back in.
• As the baby starts moving, they may change their sleep position, which is okay but ensure they are under 1 year old. Before 1 year, be cautious about their sleep position.

How Can I Ensure Enough Sleep for My Baby?

Sleep is crucial for a baby’s development. Nighttime sleep is especially important for a baby’s development. You need to ensure longer sleep for the baby and make them comfortable so they do not wake up often. Here’s how you can ensure enough sleep for your baby:

• Feed your baby before sleep so they can sleep longer.
• Dress your baby according to the temperature to keep them comfortable.
• Create a sleep-friendly environment to promote longer sleep.
• Establish a consistent sleep schedule that supports adequate sleep.
• Monitor sleep cues such as rubbing their eyes, being fussy, yawning, or appearing disturbed.
• Pay attention to your baby’s wake time.

All of these steps help ensure your baby gets enough sleep.

Is Too Much Sleep Okay for a Baby?

Newborns sleep all the time; they wake up only for feeding and then go back to sleep, which is beneficial for them. Longer sleep helps in their physical and mental development, so longer sleep is essential. They sleep almost 16 to 18 hours a day. However, their sleep patterns change over time; they sleep for longer stretches at night and take fewer naps during the day. They wake up for feeding between sleeps.

Remember, too much sleep is not suitable for all babies; every baby is naturally different. Excessive sleep is not healthy for babies. Babies have specific sleep patterns, so if you notice your baby sleeping excessively, you should consult your doctor.