Your baby's sleep patterns

Some babies need more sleep, some less. Every baby is different, so try not to compare yours with others.

As your baby grows, their sleep pattern will change. It can feel as though every time you have settled into a routine, it changes again.

How much do babies sleep?

The following list shows the average amount of sleep babies need during a 24-hour period, including daytime naps.

Newborns

Newborn babies generally sleep a lot – most tend to be asleep more than they are awake.

Some newborns may sleep for a total of around 8 hours a day, while others may sleep up to around 18 hours a day – either is perfectly normal.

Your baby may sleep in short or long bursts. It's highly unlikely they'll sleep through the night because they have tiny tummies and need to be fed.

3 to 6 months

By this stage, your baby will need fewer night feeds so may be able to sleep for longer.

Some babies may sleep for 8 hours or longer at night, but not all will.

6 to 12 months

By the time your baby is around 6 months old, they may sleep for up to 12 hours at night. But teething pain and hunger can disturb their sleep.

From 12 months

Most babies will sleep around 12 to 15 hours in total after their first birthday.

A survey carried out by The Lullaby Trust shows 59% of parents with babies under 12 months old say their baby sleeps for less than 4 hours at a time.

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