How to Calculate How Much Sleep a Baby Needs
- 1). Newborn babies nearly sleep the days and nights away and can sleep in excess of 16 hours per day! Preterm babies may require more sleep than full term babies. Babies with jaundice or other medical issues may sleep more.
- 2). Babies aged 3 to 6 months sleep about 13 to 16 hours per day. Their sleep is divided between night sleep and daytime naps. By the end of six months, your baby should be sleeping about five to six hours straight over the course of the night and sleep smaller stretches throughout the day.
- 3). Babies aged 6 to 12 months sleep about 12 to 14 hours per day. During this phase, babies begin to transition to a sleep schedule, working towards taking two naps per day.
- 4). If your baby tends to fall asleep off and on throughout the day, chances are your baby isn't getting enough quality sleep. By 3 months of age you should be working toward securing a sleep routine for your baby. Your routine should include creating a calm and soothing sleep environment, a bedtime routine and a consistent time for putting your baby to bed.
