How much sleep do babies generally need? I am curious to know if my ten month old baby is sleeping enough.


Every baby is different. The amount babies sleep is going to be different too because of genes and also because sleep requirements change over time. Figuring out how much sleep your baby needs is not easy but one thing is for sure, babies need a lot of sleep. How much of sleep your baby needs can be worked out by using the trial and error approach. Also, there are averages to compare against, give or take an hour or two. An average newborn baby sleeps around 18 hours a day and over months, the amount she sleeps reduces.


Typically, once a baby is able to sleep through the night, night time sleep will range from 10-12 hours with two naps of about one to two hours during the day. Between 4 to 12 months babies need fourteen to fifteen hours of sleep. At this stage they are likely to settle into a more regular pattern as feedings become less frequent and more predictable. Somewhere between now and when your baby is about 1½ years old most babies will transition from 2 naps a day to 1 nap after lunch. Naps can range from twenty minutes to three hours, with the former category of babies being regarded as 'active' babies. Most children will give up the morning nap in a matter of time but retain the afternoon nap for some time. Naps are important for babies who are not yet sleeping through the night.