10 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

Now that your baby’s adjusted to dropping the third nap, it should be much easier for them 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 will also be easier to plan activities outside of the home with a foreseeable nap schedule.

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How much should a 10 month old sleep?

At 10 months old, we’ll aim for about (11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep over two naps). Most babies need 3 - 3.75 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age. 

Is your baby sleeping a lot more or less than the recommended amount? When it comes to baby sleep needs, it's important to remember that there is range. Don't let the hours keep you up at night. The recommended sleep totals are just a rough estimate — it's equally important to check in on your little one's mood and energy levels to determine whether they're getting the sleep they need.

[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]

Here's a quick overview about what at to expect when it comes to wake windows and sleep times at 10 months:

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 at about the same time each day, even if your baby wakes a little earlier or later than usual.

Be sure to target of 3 - 3.75 hours long when planning your baby’s daytime 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 and teaching them to fall asleep without assistance. tend to have easier bedtimes and decreased night waking.

One way to accomplish this is through . If you’re concerned about “” methods, know that sleep training encompasses many options for caregivers, including gentler methods that don’t involve 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.

• Morning rise: 6:00 AM

• Wake window before first nap: 3 hours

• First nap: 9:00 - 10:15 AM (1.25 hour nap)

• Wake window before second nap: 3.5 hours

• Second nap: 1:45 - 3:00 PM (1.25 hour nap)

• Get ready for bed: 6:00 PM

• Wake window before bedtime: 3.75 hours

• Asleep: 6:45 PM

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 daytime 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 between naps at this age.

How many naps for a 10 month old?

Plan for a day. The morning nap is usually 3 hours after waking in the morning, meaning the afternoon nap should be offered about 3.5 hours after your baby typically wakes from their first nap.

Here’s an example of what your baby’s day may look like at this age:

2-nap schedule

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, some babies nap more than the average 2 - 3 hours during the day. If your baby takes very long naps, expect that nighttime sleep will be shorter. This is usually okay as long as your baby averages at least 10 hours of sleep each night.

Have you noticed your child may be experiencing a sudden worsening of sleep patterns, like fighting sleep, short naps, increased waking overnight, etc. when they had been sleeping better previously? Your little one is experiencing these sleep changes, then they may be in a ".

If you're curious about what lies ahead in the coming month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is on an . Also check out a to look back on how far your little one has come.