Your Baby's Sleep and Naps in the First Year

Your baby’s pattern of sleep changes a lot during their first year. After this heir need for around-the-clock sleep reduces, you can begin to encourage them to pack their sleep into the night-time. Distinguishing between night and day is the first step – and understanding their nap needs is the second vital ingredient.

 

- Small babies need feeding around the clock.

 

- Around 75% of 3-month-old babies can sleep for a 6-7 hour stretch during the night – have a feed, then go back for another sleep. 3 long naps a day. 

 

- By 6 months, in theory, a baby can sleep for 10-12 hours at night. 3 naps a day.

 

- By 9 months, drop the 3rd day time nap – ideally no naps after mid-afternoon. 

 

- By 12 months, 1 lunchtime nap.