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Wondering how much a 2-month-old should sleep? Here's how to start establishing a sleep schedule for your baby. Back to Top In This Article
After two months together, you’ve likely started to fall into a rhythm with your baby. You generally know when she tends to be awake and playful, and when she prefers to snooze. But you’ve probably also heard that it’s important to establish a sleep schedule to help foster healthy sleep habits. The truth is, though, that 2-month-olds are still too young to follow a strict schedule, and your routine will vary day by day and night by night. That said, there are some variables you can count on, including the rough number of naps she'll take each day and total number of hours she'll spend snoozing. Here’s what new parents need to know about their 2-month-old's sleep schedule, plus how much sleep your baby should be getting at this age. How much should a 2-month-old sleep?While every baby's sleep needs are slightly different, a typical 2-month-old sleeps a total of 14 to 17 hours a day, including four to six naps. Day-night confusion should be subsiding, and you may see baby settle into a rough pattern of 60 to 90 minutes of awake time followed by 30 minutes to two hours of napping. You may also start to see longer stretches of sleep overnight, but if your little one's still waking up to eat every couple hours, that's totally normal, too. Sample sleep schedule for a 2-month-old babyThe best sleep schedule for your 2-month-old baby ultimately depends on her own individual needs. While you can't expect your 2-month-old's sleep schedule to be predictable or consistent, you may find that a day looks something like this:
This sample schedule assumes your baby stays awake for 90 minutes and naps for one hour all day long. In reality, though, it's important to remember that your little one's awake times will range from 60 to 90 minutes, while naps may be as short as 30 minutes and as long as two hours. Continue Reading Below Read This NextAt night, your little one may sleep for four- to six-hour stretches. Can you sleep train a 2-month-old?Sleep training refers to different ways of teaching your baby to sleep through the night. While it’s not necessary to sleep train your baby, some parents find it helpful. If you choose to try sleep training, it’s generally recommended that you wait until your baby is 4 to 6 months old. 2-month-old sleep tipsBabies don’t have regular sleep cycles until they’re about 6 months old, but there are a few steps you can take at this age to encourage healthy habits.
2-month-old baby sleep problemsEven the best little sleepers struggle to fall asleep at times. Here are a few common 2-month-old sleep problems you might face, and how to solve them:
If your baby isn’t falling into a clear sleep schedule just yet, don’t panic. Your 2-month-old is still learning a lot of new things, including getting the hang of good sleep. But doing your best to establish a solid foundation of sleep habits at this age can help set you both up for happier, healthier sleep in the months ahead. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Was this article helpful? How long should a 2 month old sleep at night without eating?Between the age of 2 to 3 months old, healthy babies are often able to sleep for six hours without feeding. Research suggests that about half of babies are able to sleep at least six hours without a nighttime feed by 3 months of age.
What is the longest my 2 month old should sleep?While every baby's sleep needs are slightly different, a typical 2-month-old sleeps a total of 14 to 17 hours a day, including four to six naps. Day-night confusion should be subsiding, and you may see baby settle into a rough pattern of 60 to 90 minutes of awake time followed by 30 minutes to two hours of napping.
Should I let my 2 month old sleep as long as he wants?Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3–4 hours to eat until he or she shows good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night.
How long should I let my 2 month old sleep?Infants up to 3 months old should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, says the National Sleep Foundation. Many will have settled into a daily sleep routine of 2-3 naps during the day, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding.
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