Building Healthy Sleep Habits: A Guide for Babies Aged 2–12 Months

Sleep Changes So Fast in the First Year

What works for your 2-month-old won’t work for your 10-month-old—and that’s okay.

Here’s a general roadmap to help:

2–3 Months

• Short naps (30–60 min) are normal
• Bedtime routines can begin
• Wake windows: 60–90 minutes

4–6 Months

• Start to consolidate nighttime sleep
• Introduce drowsy-but-awake if ready
• Wake windows: 1.5–2.5 hours

6–9 Months

• Naps lengthen, possibly drop to 2 per day
• Bedtime settles between 7–8pm
• Wake windows: 2.5–3 hours

9–12 Months

• Separation anxiety may affect sleep
• Practice consistent responses
• Maintain bedtime routine even during regressions

Final Thought

There’s no perfect timeline. Trust your baby’s cues, stay consistent, and revisit the basics when things get bumpy.