This is an extremely common question and it changes slightly from baby to baby. While some babys sleep through the night, others cat-nap throughout the day and are are awake all night! Baby’s need a lot of sleep for their development. It is important to monitor the number of hours sleep your baby is getting to ensure they are actually getting enough sleep. In the table below are suggested average hours of sleep that a baby requires.
|
Age |
Night |
Day |
Naps |
Total |
|
0-3 |
Spread |
16-19 |
||
|
3-6 |
10 |
4 |
3 |
14-15 |
|
6-12 |
10 |
2-4 |
2 |
12-14 |
|
12-18 |
11 |
1-2 |
1/2 |
12-13 |
|
2 |
11 |
1-2 |
1 |
12-13 |
|
3 |
11 |
1 |
Optional |
12-13 |
If your baby is not getting the amount of sleep indicated above on a regular basis, it is quite likely that they are somewhat sleep-depravied and will display signs of lack of of sleep:-
Does your baby seem cranky or irritable?
Does your baby fall asleep straight away when put down?
Do you have trouble waking your baby in the morning?
If your are unsure how much sleep your baby is getting, it is a good idea to keep a sleep diary. You can download a sleep diary template here.
