Now that your baby’s adjusted to dropping the third nap, it should be much easier to handle the 2-nap schedule without getting overtired. This means you can expect your baby’s bedtime to become much more predictable, and any night wakings that were caused by overtiredness should be reduced. It should also be easier to plan activities outside of the home with a foreseeable nap schedule.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
How much should a 10 month old sleep?
At 10 months old, we’ll aim for at least 13.5 hours of total sleep per day (11 - 12 hours at night, and 2 - 3 hours of day sleep over 2 naps). Most babies need 3 - 3.75 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.
[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]
Top sleep tip for 10 month olds
If you’re looking for a more predictable routine, it’s a great time to transition to a “by the clock” schedule rather than one based primarily upon awake time. This means you’ll offer naps and bedtime about the same time each day, even if your baby wakes a little earlier or later than usual.
Be sure to target wake windows of 3 - 3.75 hours long when planning your baby’s schedule.
Sleep fact for 10 month old babies
If your baby is helped to sleep at bedtime (e.g. they’re fed or rocked until asleep) and it’s no longer leading to restful sleep for the family, we recommend working on helping them fall asleep without assistance. Independent sleepers tend to have easier bedtimes and decreased night waking.
One way to accomplish this is through sleep training. If you're concerned about “crying it out,” know that sleep training encompasses many options for caregivers, including gentle methods that don't include letting your child cry by themselves.
Sample 10 month old sleep schedule
Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example.
Naptime schedule for a 10 month old
How long should a 10 month old nap?
A 10 month old’s nap schedule should allow for 2 - 3 hours of day sleep. Expect your baby to take two naps each day. Ideally, each will be about 60 - 120 minutes long. Most babies need between 3 - 3.75 hours of awake time in between naps at this age.
How many naps for a 10 month old?
Plan for two naps a day. The morning nap is typically 3 hours after waking in the morning, meaning the afternoon nap should be offered about 3.5 hours after your baby typically wakes from the first nap.
Here’s an example of what your day may look like at this age:
2-nap schedule
| Morning rise | 6:00 AM |
| 1st nap | 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM (1.25 hour nap) 3 hours of awake time before 1st nap |
| 2nd nap | 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM (1.25 hour nap) 3.5 hours of awake time before 2nd nap |
| Get ready for sleep | 6:00 PM |
| Asleep | 6:45 PM 3.75 hours of awake time before bed |
Bedtime for a 10 month old
What time should a 10 month old go to bed?
Ideally, your 10 month old will be getting 11 - 12 hours of sleep at night, so bedtime should be 12 - 13 hours after waking in the morning. That said, there are some babies who nap more than the average 2 - 3 hours during the day; if your baby takes very long naps, expect that night sleep will be shorter.
This is usually okay as long as your baby averages at least 10 hours of sleep each night.
10 Month Old Baby Sleep FAQ
Q: Can a 10 month old baby sleep through the night?
A:
Yes, many babies this age can sleep through the night without parental assistance. If your baby has strong independent sleeping skills and gets enough milk/formula throughout the day, they’re more likely to sleep 11 - 12 hours without calling out for your assistance. However, it’s not uncommon to still see night wakings at this age, especially if your baby sleeps better with one early morning feeding, or if you share a room.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for a 10 month old?
A:
Ideally your 10 month old baby will sleep for 11 - 12 hours at night. However, sleep needs do vary. If your baby has lower sleep needs than the average 13.5 hours of total sleep, many pediatric sleep consultants agree that you’ll want to ensure that they get a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime sleep.
Q: How much awake time for a 10 month old?
A:
Awake times for a 10 month old tend to be between 3 - 3.75 hours long. Generally, the first wake window of the day is the shortest, so expect that they’ll need 3 hours of wakefulness before their first nap. As the day progresses, your baby will be able to stay awake for longer periods, resulting in the longest window of awake time before bed lasting about 3.75 hours.
Q: How much daytime sleep for a 10 month old?
A:
Target 2 - 3 hours of sleep for your 10 month old’s nap schedule, divided between a morning and afternoon nap.
Q: Is there a 10 month sleep regression?
A:
At this age, your baby’s sleep habits may be impacted by the 8 month regression (which typically occurs between 7 - 10 months), meaning you may experience some sleep challenges as a result of your growing baby’s development.
Don’t let another sleepless night pass you by
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Created Sep 16 2020
