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Baby Sleep Schedule Guide: Month-by-Month Sleep Charts for Newborns to 2-Year-Olds

Baby Sleep Schedule Guide: Month-by-Month Sleep Charts for Newborns to 2-Year-Olds

Struggling with baby sleep? This month-by-month guide covers newborn to toddler sleep schedules, regressions, and expert-backed tips to help your family rest easier.

Updated: 30 May 2025

Sam Fore's profile picture

Written by:

Sam Fore

Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Looking for the perfect baby sleep schedule? Sleep deprivation is the ultimate parenting superpower you never asked for. But here's the good news: understanding age-appropriate sleep schedules can transform your family's nighttime routine from chaos to calm.

Whether you're Googling "newborn sleep schedule" at 3 AM or wondering "how much sleep does my 8 month old need," this comprehensive baby sleep guide has science-backed answers for every stage of your little one's development.

Why Baby Sleep Schedules and Infant Sleep Patterns Matter (The Science That Helps)

Your baby's sleep needs change dramatically from newborn to toddler. What works for a 2 month old will sabotage your 10 month old's rest - and that's completely normal!

  • Circadian rhythm development: Newborn sleep patterns are chaotic because babies aren't born with internal clocks
  • Sleep consolidation: Babies gradually learn to sleep for longer stretches as their brains mature
  • Developmental sleep regressions: Growth spurts and cognitive leaps temporarily disrupt established patterns

Complete Baby Sleep Schedule Charts: Newborn to Toddler Sleep Guidelines

Newborn Sleep Schedule (1 - 6 Months): Baby Sleep Patterns and Infant Sleep Training

1 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Newborn sleep patterns: 14 - 17 hours total sleep, frequent night feedings
  • Pro Parent Hack: Focus on safe infant sleep, not perfect baby schedules

2 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Baby sleep regression warning signs and early sleep pattern recognition
  • Night sleep consolidation begins (slightly!)

3 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Circadian rhythm development milestone at 12 weeks
  • Baby bedtime routine establishment is crucial for sleep training success

4 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • The dreaded 4-month sleep regression explained
  • Baby wake windows extend as sleep patterns mature

5 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Post-regression baby sleep schedule recovery
  • Infant sleep training readiness signs emerge

6 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Baby sleep training milestone age for many families
  • Solid food introduction affects infant sleep timing

Older Baby Sleep Schedule (7 - 12 Months): Toddler Sleep Preparation

7 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Crawling babies need adjusted sleep schedules
  • Two-nap transition begins for some infants

8 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Separation anxiety impacts baby bedtime routines
  • Consistent infant sleep schedules become essential

9 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Mobile baby sleep challenges and solutions
  • Baby wake windows continue extending

10 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Most babies transition to a two-nap schedule
  • Sleep regression patterns may temporarily return

11 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Pre-toddler independence affects baby sleep patterns
  • Extended wake windows become standard

12 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • One-year sleep milestone brings new patterns
  • Early one-nap transition for some toddlers

Toddler Sleep Schedule (13 - 24 Months): Toddler Sleep Training and Bedtime Routines

13 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Toddler sleep patterns emerge with increased independence
  • Nap transition challenges continue

14 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Walking toddlers show new sleep schedule needs
  • Bedtime routine adjustments for active toddlers

15 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Language development affects toddler sleep patterns
  • Peak two-to-one nap transition period

16 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Increased toddler mobility creates new sleep challenges
  • Flexible sleep schedule approach becomes crucial

17 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Toddler bedtime resistance begins (the "fun" part!)
  • Consistent boundaries matter more than perfect schedules

18 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Peak toddler sleep challenges for many families
  • Deep breaths. Seriously. They work for you AND your little one.

20 Month Old Sleep Schedule

  • Most toddlers establish on single afternoon nap
  • Bedtime negotiations become daily adventures

24 Month Old Sleep Schedule (2-Year-Old)

  • Two-year-old sleep schedule patterns solidify
  • Preschooler sleep preparation begins

Baby Sleep Training Tips: Evidence-Based Sleep Solutions That Work

Universal Baby Sleep Schedule Success Strategies:

  • Consistent bedtime routines aren't just cute - they're crucial for healthy sleep patterns
  • Your calm energy directly impacts your child's sleep readiness - baby sleep training starts with parent preparation
  • Every child's sleep needs are wonderfully unique - customize schedules to your baby's cues

Proven Baby Sleep Schedule Tips:

  • Baby wake windows: Watch tired signs, not just clock times
  • Gradual schedule changes: Shift bedtime by 15 minutes, not hours
  • Sleep environment optimization: Dark room, white noise, comfortable temperature
  • Consistent sleep routines: Same bedtime activities signal sleep time

Baby Sleep Regression Warning Signs:

  • Sudden changes in established sleep patterns
  • Increased night wakings after good sleep stretches
  • Difficulty falling asleep at the usual bedtime
  • Shortened naps or nap refusal

When Baby Sleep Schedules Fall Apart: Your Survival Toolkit

Some nights, your beautiful baby's sleep schedule will crumble spectacularly. Teething pain, illness, developmental leaps, travel, or just typical baby unpredictability will disrupt even the best infant sleep routines. Here's your judgment-free survival guide:

Permission Granted To:

  • Start fresh tomorrow without parental guilt
  • Adjust expectations during sleep regression phases
  • Seek help when baby sleep challenges overwhelm
  • Trust your parental instincts over internet sleep advice

Quick Sleep Schedule Reset Strategy:

  • Return to basics: feeding, diaper, comfort
  • Implement a calming bedtime routine immediately
  • Stay consistent for 3 - 5 days before major changes
  • Remember: sleep challenges are temporary phases

Ready to Master Your Baby's Sleep Schedule?

Whether you're dealing with newborn sleep deprivation, 4-month sleep regression chaos, or toddler bedtime negotiations, understanding age-appropriate sleep schedules is your parenting superpower.

Start with your child's current age guide above, but remember: this sleep journey is uniquely yours. Trust the process, trust your instincts, and trust that better family sleep is absolutely possible.

Popular Baby Sleep Schedule Searches:

Get Personalized Baby Sleep Schedule Support

Need customized guidance for your family's unique sleep challenges? Riley provides evidence-based baby sleep solutions tailored to your child's specific needs that can transform your nights from exhausting to restful.

Get Started Now

Perfect baby sleep schedules don't exist, but better sleep does. You're not just surviving those sleepless nights - you're building healthy sleep foundations that will benefit your family for years to come.

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