Caring for Baby
Sample Sleep Schedule
Your baby’s sleep needs and how to meet them
Published August 2024
AUTHORS
Melissa O’Neill, PhD PMH-C
Contributing Editor, Registered Nurse
Katie Sardone, PhD PMH-C
Head of Clinical, Licensed Psychologist & Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
Margaret Vadiee, PhD
Contributing Editor, Licensed Psychologist
These guides should be adapted as needed for your family but serve as a general guidepost for baby’s schedule at the 4 to 6 month age range!
How much sleep does my baby need?
Neonatal sleep is made up of by Active Sleep (AS) and Quiet Sleep (QS)¹.
AS is characterized by rapid eye movements, irregular breathing, body and limb movement, and high variability in heart rate. It is believed to play a role in the maturation of the central nervous system and facilitate growth and development.
QS is characterized by regular breathing, reduced eye movements, decreased body movements and low variability in heart rate. It is believed to play a role in energy maintenance, the release of growth hormones, and has a restorative function.
After 2 months of age, AS becomes REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, and QS becomes NREM (non-Rapid Eye Movement).
Overall, there is a gradual increase in NREM and a decrease in REM sleep during the first two years of life. As your baby grows, so will their stomach. This will allow them to eat more, and in return, sleep for longer stretches. You can expect to see the hours of nighttime sleep increase as the hours of daytime sleep decrease, as your baby gets older. Keep in mind that changes in sleep often occur in tandem with development, specifically developmental milestones. It is normal to see some deviation from this schedule if your baby is going through a significant developmental milestone, such as rolling over, sitting up, or crawling, but should return to their normal sleep routine within a few days/weeks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing your baby on their back, on a flat, non inclined sleep surface, in the parents’ room, ideally for at least 6 months³.
What it might look like for you
Sample sleep schedules
Schedule for babies 4-6 months
Bottles should contain 6+ ounces.
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Feed, wake if needed.
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Then awake and playful until nap with at least 15 minutes of tummy time.
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Minimum of one hour and maximum of two hours.
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Wake if needed.
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Then awake and playful until nap with at least 15 minutes of tummy time.
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Minimum of one hour and maximum of two hours.
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Wake if needed.
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30 to 45 minutes. This can be a tough one!
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Tummy time for at least 15 minutes then start bedtime routine with bath
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In the crib for the night, pitch-black room, sleep sack or footed pajamas, with white noise on. Allow baby to fall asleep independently.
About the authors
Melissa O’Neill, BSN
As an RN specializing in NICU and Labor & Delivery for 15+ years, Melissa is also a mother of 3.
Katie Sardone, PhD, PMH-C
Dr. Katie Sardone is a Licensed Psychologist and the founder of Behavioral Health Dallas, PLLC.
Margaret Vadiee, PhD
Dr. Margaret Vadiee is a Licensed Psychologist and a former Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Southern Methodist University in the Psychology Department.
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Lenehan, S. M., Fogarty, L., O'Connor, C., Mathieson, S., & Boylan, G. B. (2023). The Architecture of Early Childhood Sleep Over the First Two Years. Maternal and child health journal, 27(2), 226–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03545-9
Infant sleep. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. (n.d.). https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=infant-sleep-90-P02237
Moon, R. Y., Carlin, R. F., & Hand, I. (2022). Sleep-related infant deaths: Updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment. THE TASK FORCE ON SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME AND THE COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN, 150(1). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057990