2 month / 8 week old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

By 2 months of age, we expect day/night confusion to have passed and to see some longer periods of sleep at night. It’s common for days and nights to look very different from day to day since babies this age aren’t yet following a 24-hour internal rhythm [1] for sleeping and eating.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

How much should a 2 month old sleep?

How long should a 2 month old sleep at night without eating?

Sample sleep schedule for 2 month old

2 month old nap schedule

Can you sleep train a 2 month old?

Bedtime for a 2 month old

2 month old baby sleep FAQ

How much should a 2 month old sleep?

At this age, we still hope to see about 15.5 hours of total sleep [2] in a 24-hour period. However, the amount of sleep needed can differ between babies, and there is range of what's considered healthy and normal. It's important to take into consideration your child's mood and use the suggested hours as a general indicator rather than a goal to achieve.

We recommend aiming for 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep, broken into 4 - 5 naps. It’s not often you will encounter a 2 month old baby not sleeping during the day, but if you suspect illness or a sleep regression, it can certainly affect how long they nap.

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

How long should a 2 month old sleep at night without eating?

This depends on your baby! At 2 months, we expect babies to wake at night to eat, but it will vary by child and your feeding schedule.

If you have questions, you should check with your baby’s pediatrician, since the doctor will be able to discuss their health history and best plan of action.

Sample sleep schedule for 2 month old

Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example.

2 month old nap schedule

How long should a 2 month old nap?

We don’t recommend trying to follow a set “schedule” at this age since nap durations will be unpredictable. Newborn naps tend to range anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours long (here are insights on improving your infant's naps). If your baby sleeps for longer periods during the day, you can start to limit each individual nap to 2 hours to help consolidate night sleep and regulate their schedule. Ideally, they’ll get about 5 - 6 hours of total daytime sleep.

How many naps for a 2 month old?

Most 2 month old babies need 4 - 5 naps per day. How many naps your baby will take each day depends on the length of the naps and the amount of awake time between sleep periods. Two month olds usually need 45 minutes - 1.75 hours of awake time between sleep periods.

We don’t expect much predictability at this age [3], and it’s common for naps to vary quite a bit. Although this can be frustrating for parents, short, unpredictable naps are a fact of life at this age. Here are some examples of what your baby’s day could look like, though don’t be worried if your days look quite different:

5-nap schedule for 2 month old

Morning rise	8:00 AM
1st nap	9:15 AM - 10:15 AM (1 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap
2nd nap	11:30 AM - 12:45 PM (1.25 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 2nd nap
3rd nap	2:00 PM - 3:15 PM (1.25 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 3rd nap
4th nap	4:30 PM - 5:45 PM (1.25 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 4th nap
5th nap	7:15 PM - 7:45 PM (30 minute nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 5th nap
Get ready for bed	9:00 PM
Asleep	9:30 PM;1.75 hours of awake time before bed

4-nap schedule for 2 month old

Morning rise	8:00 AM
1st nap	9:15 AM - 10:45 AM (1.5 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap
2nd nap	12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (1.5 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 2nd nap
3rd nap	3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (1.5 hour); 1.5 hours of awake time before 3rd nap
4th nap	6:00 PM - 6:30 PM (30 minute nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 4th nap
Get ready for bed	7:45 PM
Asleep	8:15 PM; 1.75 hours of awake time before bed

Can you sleep train a 2 month old?

We don’t recommend official sleep training at this age. Newborns have an immature sleep-wake system, which means sleep patterns and rhythms can be unpredictable and babies often need more help falling asleep. Families who attempt sleep training at this age are often frustrated by the lack of progress and the amount of crying. 

However, you can certainly give your baby opportunities to fall asleep in their sleep space from an “awake but drowsy” state, rather than place them down when they’re already asleep. Aim to practice after a calm bedtime routine when your baby is fed, dry and healthy. If the attempt is stressful for you or your baby, you can always try again another day  — or when your baby is a bit older.

Top sleep tips for 2 month old

To help your 2 month old sleep longer (and better), here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Plan naps with two factors in mind: your baby’s sleepy cues and awake windows. 

• Pay attention to sleep cues. When your baby starts getting quiet and/or still, stares off into space, or lays their head down on you, those are signs that they’re ready to sleep. 

• Stick with on-demand feeding for now. If your baby wakes up hungry, filling their belly can help them get back to sleep.

• Day/night confusion may be subsiding at this time, but you’re likely still dealing with a fairly unpredictable sleep schedule.

• At this point, the 2 month old wake window is a mere 45 minutes to 1.75 hours long. Using our SweetSpot® feature can help predict optimal nap times for your baby.

Sleep facts for 2 month old babies

Two months is a great time to introduce a consistent bedtime routine [4] to cue that it’s time to sleep. Short and sweet is best at this age (e.g., diaper change, pajamas, feeding, lullaby). There’s no need for the routine to be complicated; it just needs to be consistent to be effective!

Most babies will transition out of the swaddle around 2 - 3 months of age (the AAP recommends removing the swaddle as soon as your baby shows signs of starting to roll). When you’re ready to transition from the swaddle, a sleep sack can be used to ensure your baby stays comfortable and safe.

Bedtime for a 2 month old

What time should a 2 month old go to bed?

It’s common for bedtimes to still be pretty late at this age (often after 9:00 PM). Your baby’s bedtime will be determined by the time they woke up in the morning [5] and how many naps they took that day. Once your baby’s internal clock is fully developed, which happens between 3 and 4 months of age, bedtime tends to gravitate earlier.

Can a 2 month old baby sleep through the night?

We expect babies this age to wake during the night for feedings and comfort. Consult with your pediatrician and/or lactation consultant if you have questions regarding the appropriate amount of feedings per night for your 2 month old.

Takeaway

• Sleep duration: Aim for about 15.5 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, with 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep broken into 4 - 5 naps.

• Nap recommendations: Naps at 2 months can range from 10 minutes to 2 hours. Most babies need 4 - 5 naps per day, with 45 minutes to 1.75 hours of awake time between sleep periods.

• Sleep training: Official sleep training isn't recommended at this age due to the immature sleep-wake system. However, create opportunities for your baby to fall asleep in their sleep space after a calm bedtime routine.

• Bedtime: Bedtimes at this age can be late, often after 9:00 PM. Bedtime will be determined by the morning wake-up time and the number of naps.

• Night wakings: Expect babies to wake during the night for feedings and comfort. Consult with healthcare professionals for guidance on nighttime feedings.

The key is to be flexible, understanding that sleep patterns are evolving, and each baby is unique.