How Many Naps Does a Baby Need? Nap Schedule by Age (4 Months to 3 Years)
Most babies take 3 naps a day at 4 to 6 months, drop to 2 naps around 7 to 9 months, and move to 1 nap between 12 and 18 months. Most children stop napping altogether between 3 and 5 years old. Total sleep in 24 hours, including naps, should be 12 to 16 hours for babies aged 4 to 12 months and 11 to 14 hours for toddlers aged 1 to 2, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Key facts
- 4–12 months: 12 to 16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps.
- 1–2 years: 11 to 14 hours. 3–5 years: 10 to 13 hours.
- Newborns (0–3 months) need 14 to 17 hours but don’t follow a nap schedule yet.
- Every child is different. Use these as typical ranges, and follow your baby’s sleepy cues.
Typical naps by age
| Age | Naps a day | Typical time awake between sleeps | Total sleep in 24 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 4 or more, irregular | 45–90 minutes | 14–17 hours |
| 4–6 months | 3 | 1.5–2.5 hours | 12–16 hours |
| 7–9 months | 2–3 | 2–3.5 hours | 12–16 hours |
| 10–12 months | 2 | 3–4 hours | 12–16 hours |
| 13–18 months | 1–2 | 3–5 hours | 11–14 hours |
| 19–24 months | 1 | 5–6 hours | 11–14 hours |
| 2–3 years | 1, or none from about age 3 | 5–6 hours | 11–14 hours (age 2), 10–13 hours (age 3) |
Total sleep: AASM (4 months and over) and National Sleep Foundation (newborns). Nap counts and awake times are typical ranges used by pediatric sleep guides.
Sample schedules
6 months (3 naps), waking at 7 AM
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake up |
| 8:45 AM | Nap 1 (about 1 hour 15 minutes) |
| 12:00 PM | Nap 2 (about 1 hour 15 minutes) |
| 3:15 PM | Nap 3 (about 45 minutes) |
| 6:15 PM | Bedtime |
9 months (2 naps), waking at 7 AM
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake up |
| 9:30 AM | Nap 1 (about 1 hour 15 minutes) |
| 1:45 PM | Nap 2 (about 1 hour 15 minutes) |
| 6:30 PM | Bedtime |
18 months (1 nap), waking at 7 AM
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake up |
| 12:00 PM | Nap (about 2 hours) |
| 7:00 PM | Bedtime |
Our baby sleep schedule planner creates a sample day for your baby’s age and wake-up time.
Signs your baby is ready to drop a nap
- regularly taking a long time to fall asleep for a nap, or playing instead of sleeping
- short naps or skipped naps for a week or more
- a nap that pushes bedtime much later, or early-morning waking
When dropping a nap, expect a few days of crankiness. An earlier bedtime for a week or two can help.
Sleepy cues to watch for
Yawning, rubbing eyes, pulling ears, staring into space, fussing and becoming less interested in play are common signs that your baby is ready for sleep. Waiting until a baby is overtired can make settling harder.
Safe sleep
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their back for every sleep, including naps, on a firm, flat surface, in their own crib or bassinet, with no pillows, blankets, bumpers or soft toys. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended, ideally for at least the first 6 months. See the AAP’s safe sleep guidance.
Sources
- Paruthi S et al. Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations. AASM, 2016
- CDC: About sleep
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Safe sleep
Frequently asked questions
When do babies go from 3 naps to 2?
Usually between 6 and 9 months.
When do toddlers go to 1 nap?
Most make the switch between 12 and 18 months.
Is it bad if my baby only naps for 30 minutes?
Short naps are common, especially before 6 months. If your baby is generally happy and getting enough total sleep, it’s usually fine. Talk to your pediatrician if you’re worried.
