How many hours a day should 2 month old sleep

Your 2-month-old will sleep between 15 and 17 hours each day – and begin to learn the difference between night and day. While your little one probably isn't close to sleeping through the night yet, they may be beginning to settle into more predictable sleep patterns. At this age, you can work on establishing habits that will set the foundation for a healthy sleep schedule in the next few months.

At 2 months old, your baby is still sleeping and waking at all hours of the day and night, but may have fallen into some semblance of a routine. They've gotten used to being outside the womb and may have started sleeping for slightly longer stretches at a time. Hopefully, you're getting a little more rest too!

Even though your baby isn't ready to sleep through the night yet, they may be able to start settling into a feeding and sleep schedule. It's still too early for sleep training, but you can gently encourage sleep habits to help your little one separate night from day and go longer between feedings at night.

Even though sleep is still incredibly variable from baby to baby, the average 2-month-old sleeps between 14 and 17 hours each day, including about five to seven hours' worth of naps during the day.

Unless otherwise directed by your baby's doctor, you'll need to feed your baby every four to six hours throughout the day and night. Most babies can't sleep for longer than six hours at a time until they've reached 3 months old and weigh 12 to 13 pounds.

At this age, babies are learning the difference between night and day, so you'll hopefully notice they're sleeping more when the sun goes down. Their stretches of sleep will usually last between three and four hours. Your baby's wake windows, or the period of time they're awake between naps, will be around one to two hours.

Your baby's sleep cycles are still decidedly newborn-like, with more REM sleep but shorter sleep cycles and frequent waking. Occasionally, a 2-month-old might sleep for six hours in a row, but usually their stretches are four hours at the most.

Should I put my 2-month-old baby on a sleep schedule?

At 2 months old, your baby isn't ready for a rigid sleep schedule, but that doesn't mean it's too early to work on healthy sleeping habits.

Many babies fall into a routine with a little encouragement from their parents. You may notice that your baby has a fairly consistent pattern of sleeping, eating, and awake time.

By paying attention to your 2-month-old's cues, you can follow their lead to reinforce their emerging schedule. Pay special attention to signs that your baby is tired: rubbing their eyes, pulling on their ears, and being fussier than normal.

Your 2-month-old's schedule will be very flexible. While they might sometimes sleep for longer stretches, they'll still wake frequently, eat frequently, and change things up from day to day. That's okay! As your baby gets older, they'll be developmentally ready for fewer feedings and longer naps, and their schedule will become more predictable.

What a 2-month-old sleep schedule may look like

Keeping in mind that your baby's schedule could vary greatly, here's what a day in the life of a 2-month-old might look like.

• 6 a.m.: Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 7:30 a.m.: Morning nap.
• 8:30 a.m.: Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 10 a.m.: Second morning nap.
• 10:30 a.m.: Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 12:30 p.m.: Afternoon nap.
• 2 p.m.: Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 3:30 p.m.: Second afternoon nap.
• 5 p.m.: Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 6:30 p.m.: Bedtime.
• 9:30 p.m.: Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 10 p.m.: Back to sleep.
• 2 a.m. Wake, diaper change, and eat.
• 2:30 a.m. Back to sleep.

How to encourage healthy 2-month-old sleep

Create a bedtime routine. Help your little one get ready for sleep by closing the blinds, turning down the lights, and quieting the household when it's close to bedtime. Other practices, like a calming bath and singing a lullaby, can help your baby get used to a bedtime routine.

Help them get good naps during the day. Keeping your baby awake for longer stretches will certainly tire them out, but that doesn't mean they'll sleep more soundly at night. Though it seems contradictory, babies sleep better when they're well rested. Your little one will still nap frequently throughout the day at 2 months old, usually taking three or four naps for four or five hours every day. It's a careful balance, though – if your baby sleeps too much during the day, they won't be tired when it's bedtime.

Teach the difference between night and day. Just as it's important to create a calm environment at bedtime, daytime should be full of sunlight, activity, and play. This can help your baby tell the difference between daytime and nighttime, encouraging them to sleep longer when the sun is down.

Try a dream feed. Instead of waiting for your baby to wake up in the middle of the night for a feeding, wake them up right before you go to bed (ideally a few hours after their bedtime). The goal is that your baby will stay semi-asleep while feeding but eat enough to give you a longer stretch of uninterrupted rest.

Put your baby in bed awake. Whenever possible, place your baby in their crib or bassinet while they're drowsy but still awake. This way, they may become comfortable with falling asleep on their own. If your baby does fall asleep in your arms, though, don't worry too much. At this age, they're still sleeping anywhere and everywhere.

Learn more:

• Feeding schedules for 1- and 2-month-olds
• Your 2-month-old baby's development
• Sleep regression
• Newborn sleep guide

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