How Much Sleep Do Babies Need by Age?

If you are wondering whether your baby is sleeping too much, too little, or nothing like the baby in your parenting group, you are far from alone. Baby sleep varies considerably, especially during the first year.

The NHS explains that some babies naturally need more sleep than others and that sleep patterns change as babies grow. Newborns can sleep anywhere from around 8 to 18 hours across 24 hours, while after the first birthday most babies sleep around 12 to 15 hours in total. These figures include daytime naps and are averages rather than targets your baby has to meet exactly.

It can be more helpful to look at the overall picture than to focus on a single night’s sleep. Your baby’s age, feeding needs, naps, development and individual pattern can all affect how their sleep is spread across the day and night.

How much sleep do babies need by age?

There is no single number that every baby should sleep. The NHS gives the following guidance on typical sleep across infancy.

Age	What you may notice
Newborn	Total sleep can vary widely, from around 8 to 18 hours in 24 hours
3 to 6 months	Babies may begin sleeping for longer stretches at night as night feeds reduce
6 to 12 months	Some babies may sleep for up to around 12 hours at night, although waking is still possible
12 to 24 months	Most babies sleep around 12 to 15 hours in total across 24 hours

These figures should be treated as a guide rather than a timetable. One healthy baby may sleep more than another, and your own baby’s sleep can change from week to week.

Daytime naps count towards total sleep too. So if your baby sleeps less overnight but takes longer or more frequent naps, their total sleep across 24 hours may look quite different from that of another baby the same age.

Newborn sleep needs

Newborn sleep can feel especially unpredictable. According to NHS guidance, newborn babies generally spend more time asleep than awake, but their total sleep can range considerably, from around 8 hours to as much as 18 hours across a day and night.

That sleep is not necessarily delivered in long, peaceful stretches. Newborns may sleep in short or longer bursts and wake repeatedly because they need to feed. They have not yet settled into the sort of day and night pattern that older children and adults have.

This means frequent waking during the newborn stage is not, by itself, a sign that you are doing something wrong. A baby who wakes regularly at night may simply be behaving like a newborn.

If the broken sleep is exhausting you, lower the pressure where you can. A perfectly organised sleep schedule is not something you need to achieve in the early weeks.

How much sleep do 3 to 6-month-old babies need?

Between 3 and 6 months, you may begin to notice your baby’s sleep shifting. The NHS says babies at this stage generally need fewer night feeds and may therefore start sleeping for longer stretches.

Some babies can sleep for 8 hours or longer at night by this stage, but importantly, not all babies will. Reaching a particular age does not mean your baby should suddenly sleep through the night.

Daytime sleep remains part of their overall sleep needs. The balance between naps and night sleep can also change as your baby develops.

Rather than comparing one night with an ideal schedule, look for your baby’s broader pattern over time. A difficult night here and there does not necessarily mean their sleep has gone backwards.

How much sleep do 6 to 12-month-old babies need?

From around 6 months, some babies begin having much longer stretches of night-time sleep. NHS guidance says babies in this age group may sleep for up to around 12 hours at night.

That does not mean every 6-month-old should sleep for 12 uninterrupted hours. Babies can still wake during the night, and factors such as hunger, teething discomfort and changes in their routine can affect sleep.

Sleep can also be uneven. You might have several settled nights followed by a run of frequent waking. That variation can be frustrating when you thought you had finally found a predictable rhythm, but changing sleep patterns are common as babies grow.

How much sleep do babies need after their first birthday?

After the first birthday, NHS guidance suggests most babies sleep around 12 to 15 hours in total over 24 hours, including daytime naps.

By this point, sleep may feel more concentrated at night than it did during the newborn months, although daytime sleep can still be an important part of the day.

There is still room for individual variation. Try to use age-based figures as a reference point rather than a scorecard. Your child’s usual behaviour and wellbeing matter alongside the number of hours shown on the clock.

Does my baby need to sleep through the night?

No particular age guarantees that a baby will sleep through the night. The NHS notes that some babies begin sleeping for longer periods earlier than others, while others take much longer.

The phrase “sleeping through” can also create unrealistic expectations because parents may mean different things by it. A long stretch of sleep for one family might look very different from another family’s night.

If your baby still wakes, it does not automatically mean that you have created a bad habit or that their sleep needs are not being met. Babies’ sleep patterns develop at different rates.

Why does my baby’s sleep keep changing?

Baby sleep rarely develops in a perfectly straight line. The NHS notes that growth spurts, teething and illnesses can affect sleep, and routines often need to change as babies move through different stages.

You may notice periods when your baby sleeps for longer, followed by nights when they wake more frequently. Naps can shift too.

It can help to think of sleep recommendations as a broad framework. They tell you what is common across groups of babies, but they cannot predict exactly how an individual baby will sleep on a particular day.

Should I track how many hours my baby sleeps?

You can track sleep if it helps you understand your baby’s pattern, but you do not need to account for every minute simply because other parents or baby apps do.

A simple record may be useful if you are concerned about sleep and want to discuss it with your health visitor or GP. You could note roughly when your baby sleeps, wakes and naps, alongside anything else that seems relevant.

If tracking makes you more anxious, however, you do not have to turn normal day-to-day variation into a set of numbers to meet. Age-based sleep figures are averages, not a test of your parenting.

Remember that safe sleep still matters

How long your baby sleeps is only one part of the picture. Safe sleep guidance applies during naps as well as overnight.

The NHS advises that for the first 6 months, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket, on their back, in the same room as you. The sleep surface should be firm and flat, and the sleep space should be kept clear of items such as pillows, cot bumpers, toys and loose bedding that could cover a baby’s mouth or nose or contribute to overheating.

Follow current NHS safer sleep guidance rather than changing your baby’s sleep environment in an attempt to encourage longer stretches of sleep.

When to get professional advice

If you are worried about how much or how little your baby is sleeping, speak to your health visitor or GP. They can consider sleep alongside your baby’s age, feeding, growth, development and general health rather than looking at the number of hours in isolation.

It is also worth asking for advice if there has been a significant change in your baby’s usual sleep and you are concerned about their health or behaviour.

Trust your instincts if your baby seems unwell. NHS guidance recommends seeking medical advice if you are worried about your baby’s appearance or behaviour, particularly if something feels noticeably different from what is normal for them.

And if disturbed nights are leaving you exhausted or struggling to cope, you deserve support too. The NHS recommends speaking to a GP or health visitor if tiredness is becoming difficult to manage.