How much sleep is normal for a baby?
This is difficult to pinpoint because there is a lot of variability among babies in terms of sleep needs and sleep patterns. While newborns (birth to 8 weeks) may sleep between 15- 20 hours a day, an older baby will average between 12-15 hours in a 24-hour period. Usually babies settle into a fairly predictable sleep rhythm around 3-4 months of age. It is helpful to have a sleep routine to structure you and your baby’s day around. A morning and afternoon nap is normal for this age, and each nap will last for around 1-3 hours. Watch your baby closely so you are aware of her “sleepy cues”. Once you see these cues get her ready for her nap. It’s best to catch her before she becomes over-tired and over-stimulated. This is when it becomes more difficult to settle a baby down for her nap. So, do you and your baby a favor by watching for the “sleepy cues.” These do vary from baby to baby. Some examples are: rubbing eyes and ears, avoiding eye contact and becoming grumpy and teary.
