Baby sleep needs change rapidly during the first few years of life, but ESPECIALLY during the first 5-6 months. As soon as you think you’ve got it figured out, Baby needs something new the next day! This is part of why the first few months can feel so exhausting.
It gets easier, I promise! Usually around 6 months, things start to stabilize and you get longer stretches of time with the same reliable schedule. But until then, here are snapshots of what your child’s sleep might look like each month throughout this first few months of her life.
1 month
Many naps
Waketimes around 45-60 minutes each, with the last one possibly being longer
No nap longer than 3 hours
Bedtime around 10-11pm
0-4+ nightfeeds
2 months
4-5+ naps
Waketimes approximately 1 / 1 / 1.25 / 1.25 / 1.5
No nap longer than 3 hours
Bedtime around 9-11pm
0-3+ nightfeeds
3 months
4 naps
Waketimes approximately 1 / 1.25 / 1.25 / 1.5 / 1.5
End naps by 5:30pm
No nap longer than 3 hours
Bedtime around 7-9pm
0-3 nightfeeds
4 months
3-4 naps
Waketimes approximately 1.25 / 1.5 / 1.5 / 1.5 / 1.75
No nap longer than 2.5 hours
End naps by 5pm
Bedtime around 6:30-7:30pm
0-2 nightfeeds
5 months
3 naps
Waketimes approximately 1.5 / 1.75 / 1.75 / (1.5) / 2 [waketime in parentheses is there just in case Baby has a 4-nap day]
No nap longer than 2 hours
End naps by 5pm
Bedtime around 6:30-7:30pm
0-2 nightfeeds
Know that your child’s sleep might look different, and that’s okay! Especially if things seem to be going well on different waketimes, there’s no need to change the waketimes to fit with this list. This is just to guide you if you’re feeling lost!
When it comes to waketimes, remember to count waketimes from when Baby opens her eyes to when you lay her down for the next attempt at sleep. Note that in the waketimes above, each slash represents a nap.
Remember, sleep is somewhat erratic at these ages, so if nothing seems to work, you’re not alone!
For additional help, look into my Newborn Dream Key for months 0-3, and my 4-8 month Dream Key or a one-on-one consultation if you’d like help sleep training at 4+ months. I’d love to help you get things on track!