10 week old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule
At 10 weeks, your baby is already 2.5 months old! Sometimes it may feel like the weeks are flying by, while at other times the days (and sleepless nights) may feel like they’ll never end. At this age, we expect little ones to continue to have unpredictable sleep patterns, as their circadian rhythm has yet to mature. However, around 3 - 4 months, babies tend to have more regular 24-hour cycles of sleep and eating — you’re getting there!
In this article, we’ll give you guidance on 10 week old sleep, offer tips for setting a good sleep foundation, and provide tools to help determine when your child may need to snooze again.
Editor's Note
The recommendations listed in this article represent the average amount of sleep typically needed at 4 years old. However, keep in mind there’s a wide range of normal as some children have lower or higher sleep needs. When we discuss children and sleep at Huckleberry, we use their adjusted age (vs. actual age) which can still impact development beyond toddlerhood.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
How much should a 10 week old sleep?
How much should a 10 week old sleep?
At 10 weeks we recommend aiming for around 15.5 hours of total sleep [1] over a 24-hour period for your little one. This typically breaks down to around 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep split over 4 - 5 naps per day. The total number of naps will be influenced by their morning rise time and nap lengths that day. For example, on a day when your newborn wakes at 6:00 AM and consistently takes 30 - 40 minute naps during the day, they’ll likely need that additional nap (or two!) to comfortably make it to “bedtime.”
Keep in mind that the total number of hours your baby sleeps will likely vary day to day at this age — this is normal. And we don’t expect all babies to need the same amount of sleep either. Some children have higher and lower sleep needs. Instead of simply focusing on the number of hours of sleep per day, we suggest paying attention to your child’s overall demeanor — including their mood and energy levels — when determining if they’re well-rested.
Top sleep tips for 10 week olds
Tip #1: Try to limit overtiredness
While it may be tempting to try to keep your 10 week old awake for longer stretches during the day in hopes of lengthening their stretches of night sleep, we recommend avoiding this approach. If your child stays awake too long it can lead to overtiredness, which makes it harder for babies to fall asleep and stay asleep. Instead, trying your best to ensure your child is well-rested throughout the day can lead to more sufficient sleep around the clock. Plus, if you haven’t already, you may soon see some longer stretches of night sleep since day/night confusion has likely resolved at this point.
Tip #2: Consider capping naps at 2 hours
Nap lengths will continue to be unpredictable at 10 weeks. Your little one may sleep for 30 minutes one nap and then snooze for 2 hours later that day. You never really know! However, if your child is regularly napping for 2+ hours and you suspect it’s impacting their overnight sleep, consider capping each nap at 2 hours to help consolidate night sleep and regulate their schedule. At 10 weeks, we expect about 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep per day.
Tip #3: If your baby shows signs of rolling, it’s time to stop swaddling
According to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics [2], it’s best to stop swaddling your baby as soon as they show any signs of rolling. Most babies will transition out of the swaddle at around 2 - 3 months. We recommend using a sleep sack (wearable blanket) in place of a swaddle as they can help keep your baby warm, comfortable, and safe for sleep. Putting on a sleep sack can be included in your child’s bedtime routine for years to come!
Naptime schedule for 10 weeks
How long should a 10 week old nap?
Babies this age aren’t ready for a structured sleep schedule quite yet, however, we can expect that little ones may sleep for about 5 - 6 hours during the day at this age. Daytime sleep will usually be broken up into 4 - 5 naps. It’s not uncommon for nap lengths to vary throughout the day — and every day will probably look different! We won’t expect more consistent sleep patterns until around 3 - 4 months, when children typically have more regular 24-hour cycles of sleeping and eating.
In the meantime, paying attention to sleepy cues and wake windows can help you determine when your child may be ready to nap again. At 2.5 months, babies can usually comfortably stay awake for 45 minutes - 1.75 hours. If you notice your baby is exhibiting sleepy cues — like rubbing their eyes, staring off into space, or becoming fussy — and they’ve been awake for 45+ minutes, this is usually a sign that they’re ready for some shuteye.
Keep in mind sleepy cues can be fleeting and easy to miss. If you haven’t noticed any sleep cues, we recommend offering rest after around 1.5 hours of awake time to avoid overtiredness.
How many naps for a 10 week old?
Typically, 10 week olds take around 4 - 5 naps per day. However, the number of naps will depend on your child’s morning wake time and length of naps that day, as well as how long they can comfortably stay awake between sleep periods. A typical wake window at 10 weeks is around 45 minutes - 1.75 hours. Awake periods tend to be the shortest in the morning and lengthen as the day progresses.
Bedtime for 10 week olds
What time should a 10 week old go to bed?
Babies at 10 weeks aren’t usually ready for a predictable, early bedtime yet. Sleep is still pretty variable in the newborn phase. “Bedtime” won’t be dictated by the clock — instead it will depend on the time they woke up in the morning [3] and the number of naps they took that day. Your little one’s longest stretch of sleep in a 24-hour period may come pretty late (after 10:00 PM!) at this age. Children may be ready for a more regular early bedtime at around 3 - 4 months, once their internal clock has developed more.
If you're curious about what lies ahead in the next month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is an 11 week old. Take a look back at how far your baby has come by revisiting what they may have been like as a 9 week old.
10 week old baby sleep FAQ
Q: Can a 10 week old baby sleep through the night?
A:
Babies at 10 months may be able to sleep some longer stretches overnight, but, no, we don’t expect children this age to sleep through the night. Newborns will continue to wake overnight for feedings and comfort. If you have questions about your child’s specific needs when it comes to night feedings, consult your child’s pediatrician and/or a lactation consultant.
Q: How often do 10 week old babies sleep?
A:
Newborns at 10 weeks can usually comfortably stay awake for 45 minutes - 1.75 hours before needing to sleep again. They’ll likely take 4 - 5 naps per day, which generally equates to around 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep and 15.5 hours of total sleep over a 24-hour period.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for a 10 week old?
A:
You might expect a 10 week old to spend around 9 - 12 hours in their sleep space overnight, though we won’t expect continuous sleep for this entire stretch. It’s common for most babies at this age to wake a few times overnight, for feedings and comfort.
Q: How much awake time for a 10 week old?
A:
At 10 weeks, wake windows tend to be around 45 minutes to 1.75 hours. However, you’ll want to keep in mind that newborns tire easily, so if they’ve had a stimulating awake period (with tummy time or a walk outside, for instance), they may be ready for sleep on the shorter end of that spectrum. On the other hand, little ones tend to be able to comfortably stay awake longer as the day goes on, so they may have longer wake windows in the evening. Paying attention to wake windows and sleepy cues can help gauge when your baby has had enough awake time and is ready to sleep again.
Q: How much daytime sleep for a 10 week old?
A:
Most 10 week olds will take 4 - 5 naps per day, which totals around 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep. Every baby is different, though! We suggest using these figures as a guide and then paying attention to your little one’s mood and energy levels to evaluate if they’re getting enough sleep.
Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
3 Sources
Sleep Health. (2015). National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218%252815%252900015-7/fulltext
American Academy of Pediactrics. (2022). Swaddling: Is it Safe for Your Baby? https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Swaddling-Is-it-Safe.aspx
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. (2018). The Long-Term Effects of Light Exposure on Establishment of Newborn Circadian Rhythm. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175794/
