How long can you expect your baby to sleep?
Whilst all babies are individual I have provided a list below of sleep requirements for babies and children at different stages as a general guide.
|
Age |
Length of sleep |
|
Birth |
16-18 hours |
| Initially being broken up into short nap periods throughout the day and night, by 3.4 months babies should be able to settle to sleep for longer periods at night of up to 6 hours continuing with 3 naps during the day time. Progressing to being able to sleep through the night by 6-9 months with 2 naps during the day. | |
|
1 year |
14 hours |
| This should be split between 11-12 at night, topped up with 1 or 2 naps of 2-3 hours during the day. | |
|
2 years |
13 hours |
| The majority of children continue to require 1 day time nap till approximately 3 years of age. | |
|
4 years |
11.5 hours |
| At this age, children’s developmental needs still require them to have an early bed time in order to get the full benefit of a long nights sleep. | |
Normal sleep paterns
During the night our sleeping state fluxuates between a deep sleep and a light sleep (Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep), however babies move between these states a lot quicker than adults and it is during these periods of REM sleep that babies will wake.
