How much sleep does my 7 to 12 month old baby need?
As your baby gets older, they will need less sleep. By the time they're about one year old, they will need around 11-14 hours of sleep every 24 hours. They will sleep for longer at night and have around 2 naps during the day.
If your baby is happy during wake periods during the day, they have had enough sleep.
How do I know it’s time for my baby to sleep?
Babies show ‘tired signs’ when they are getting tired and need sleep. These signs include grimacing, yawning, grizzling, frowning, sucking, staring, snuggling in, jerky movements, becoming over active, clenching fists, rubbing eyes, fussiness or crying.
Responding early to these tired signs prevents your baby becoming distressed and makes it easier to them to sleep.
An example of a 6 to 8 month old sleep routine
Night time sleep: By 6 months, the period of sustained night time sleep will have lengthened to 6 hours a night, twice a night. They will still wake briefly 1 - 3 times during these longer stretches and some babies may be able to self-settle back to sleep.
Daytime naps: 2 daytime naps (2-3 hours in total)
6-8 month old wake window: 2 to 3 hours or so.
Feeding: Every 4 hours.
An example of a 9 to 12 month old sleep routine
Night time sleep: By 12 months, the rate your baby sustains night-time sleep and self-settles steadily increases from 8 - 12 hours. That's the true meaning of sleeping through the night.
Daytime naps: 2 daytime naps (2-3 hours in total)
9 - 12 month old wake window: 3 - 4 hours or so.
Feeding: Every 4 hours. By 12 months, they should be eating at normal meal times plus snacks.