3 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

While your baby may be outgrowing newborn diapers and clothes, they’re also growing out of their newborn sleep patterns around this time. Between 3 and 4 months, you may notice some differences in your baby’s sleep, like increased night waking and shorter naps [].

Thank the circadian rhythm (a.k.a. their internal clock) for this change; it’s undergoing a maturation process that results in additional sleep cycles for your baby, which often translates to disrupted sleep.

Editor's note

The recommendations listed in this article represent the average amount of sleep typically needed at this age. However, please note there is a wide range of normal as some children have lower or higher sleep needs. Also, note for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

How much should a 3 month old sleep?

At this age [], we recommend aiming for around 15 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period. Ideally, we’ll see at least 10 hours of sleep at night and 4 - 5 naps a day, though there’s still a lot of variation at this age. Keep in mind that the amount of sleep needed can differ among babies and there is a range of what is considered normal and healthy. The suggested hours can serve as a general guide, but it's also important to pay attention to your child's mood and energy levels.

Here's a quick overview of what you may expect when it comes to 3 month olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.

Average total sleep	15 hours
Number of naps	4 - 5
Goal daytime sleep	4 - 5 hours
Wake windows	60 - 120 minutes

Why is my 3 month old sleeping a lot?

It's common for young babies to sleep a lot and there is a range of sleep needs, with some babies needing more rest than others. As your little one gets a bit older, we'd expect them to be able to stay awake for longer periods in between naps. While babies typically need more sleep during an illness, please contact your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your infant being lethargic or sleeping more than usual.

Sample 3 month old sleep schedule

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

Morning rise: 7:00 AM
Wake window before first nap: 1.25 hours
First nap: 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM (1.25 hour nap)
Wake window before second nap: 1.25 hours
Second nap: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (1.5 hour nap)
Wake window before third nap: 1.75 hours
Third nap: 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM (1.5 minute nap)
Wake window before fourth nap: 1.75 hours
Fourth nap: 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM (30 minute nap)
Get ready for bed: 7:30 PM
Wake window before bedtime: 2 hours
Asleep: 8:00 PM

Naptime schedule for a 3 month old

How long should a 3 month old nap?

Ideally, your 3 month old will get an average of 4 - 5 hours of daytime sleep, broken up into. Short naps are still developmentally appropriate at this age, so it’s common to see some that are 30 - 45 minutes, as well as longer 1 - 2 hour naps.

How many daily naps are expected for a 3 month old?

Most 3 month olds take 4 - 5 naps per day. If your baby regularly takes longer naps, their wake windows will likely be longer too, meaning they may be comfortable with just 4 naps a day. On the other hand, if your baby only has a bunch of short catnaps all day, they may require 5 naps to make it to bedtime comfortably.

At this age, we expect babies to need a nap after 60 - 120 minutes of awake time. Continue to pay attention to your baby’s sleep cues (getting quiet/still, staring off into space, putting their head down on you) and the amount of awake time to determine the best time to nap. You can also use to take the guesswork out of finding optimal sleep times.

Check out these sample schedules, keeping in mind they’re just that — samples. Your baby’s day may look quite different, which is expected and OK!

4-nap schedule

Morning rise	7:00 AM
1st nap	8:15 AM - 9:30 AM (1.25 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap
2nd nap	11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (1.5 hour nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 2nd nap
3rd nap	2:15 PM - 3:45 (1.5 hour nap); 1.75 hours of awake time before 3rd nap
4th nap	5:30 PM - 6:00 (30 minute nap); 1.75 hours of awake time before 4th nap
Get ready for bed	7:30 PM
Asleep	8:00 PM; 2 hours of awake time before bed

5-nap schedule

Morning rise	7:00 AM
1st nap	8:15 AM - 9:15 AM (1 hour nap); 1.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap
2nd nap	10:45 AM - 11:45 AM (1 hour nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 2nd nap
3rd nap	1:15 PM - 2:15 PM (1 hour nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 3rd nap
4th nap	3:45 PM - 4:45 PM (1 hour nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 4th nap
5th nap	6:15 PM - 6:45 PM (30 minute nap); 1.5 hours of awake time before 5th nap
Get ready for bed	8:00 PM
Asleep	8:30 PM; 1.75 hours of awake time before bedtime

Top sleep tip for 3 month olds

Here are some sleep tips to keep in mind for your 3 month old:

Remember that daytime naps are important. Babies this age typically need a nap after 60 - 120 minutes of awake time.
Stay flexible! While a more structured routine may be on the horizon, it’s normal for babies this age to have varying schedules.
Pay attention to sleep cues. Instead of trying to schedule naps, keep an eye out for signs your baby is tired during the day. They may get quiet or still, stare off into space, or lay their head down on you. If this is the case, try offering a nap.
It may be too early for sleep training. While it’s okay to start , it’s important to keep realistic expectations. Many babies this young still need a little help falling asleep! You can try gentle methods like gradual withdrawal or pick-up-put-down, but always consider your baby’s health and specific sleep issues before starting.

Sleep fact for 3 month old babies

Although many parents are ready for more predictability at this age, babies still need naps based on how long they’ve been awake (otherwise known as wake windows), rather than set times “by the clock.”

Bedtime for a 3 month old

What time should a 3 month old go to bed?

At this age, we start to see bedtimes shift earlier. The ideal bedtime for a 3 month old tends to be around 12 - 14 hours after waking for the day but no earlier than 6:00 PM. That means an optimal bedtime for a baby waking around 6:00 AM will be between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

Bedtime will still depend on how many naps your baby takes and how long they can comfortably stay awake. Most 3 month olds have a wake window range that’s between 1 and 2 hours long. Babies taking fewer naps (3 - 4 per day) will generally need an earlier bedtime than babies taking 5 naps a day.

How long should a 3 month old sleep at night?

Typically, 3 month olds need between 10 - 12 hours of sleep at night, in addition to 4 - 5 hours of daytime sleep. At this age, it’s normal for babies to wake at night and need your help to fall back to sleep — whether after a feeding or a quick cuddle.

Why does my 3 month old keep waking up at night?

It’s common for 3 month olds to wake up overnight due to hunger. Most babies at this age still need one or more feedings throughout the night.

At 3 months, your baby may also be waking up and calling for you at night due to a biological shift in the way they sleep (often referred to as the “”). Around 3 - 4 months, infants will begin having additional cycles of light and deep sleep. They’ll begin to briefly awaken after each sleep cycle, which may lead to new sleep challenges like short naps and not being able to fall back to sleep on their own overnight.

Is there a sleep regression at 3 months old?

If your baby is experiencing a sudden, significant decline in sleep patterns around 3 months, it’s often due to the so-called “”. It refers to a biological change in how babies sleep that occurs around 3 - 4 months. Babies at this age start to have cycles of light and deep sleep due to a maturation of their circadian rhythm (aka internal clock). If they wake fully between these sleep cycles and need assistance falling back asleep or naps are suddenly shorter, we’d call this a “sleep regression.”

While frustrating, this is a sign that your little one is growing and developing. With time and some tweaks, your baby’s sleep can get back on track. If you’d like extra support in the sleep department, consider a step-by-step customized Sleep Plan via .

Can my 3 month old sleep with a pacifier?

Babies at 3 months can sleep with a pacifier. The AAP recommends [] using them during sleep times to provide comfort and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, the AAP does not recommend using a pacifier to replace (or delay) breast milk or formula feedings that are vital for your baby’s growth and brain development.

Should I swaddle my 3 month old?

Some babies can continue to be swaddled at 3 months, as long as they’re not showing any signs of rolling. If your baby is trying to roll back to front or front to back (or has successfully rolled), it’s no longer safe to swaddle them [].

If this is the case, consider some like transitional swaddles and sleep sacks. These items still provide comfort like a traditional swaddle but don’t restrict a child’s arms, making them safe for sleep.

Can I sleep train a 3 month old?

Sleep training at typically has varying, unsteady results. Most babies won’t be able to consistently self-soothe throughout the night until they’re closer to 6 months old. Instead, around 3 - 4 months is a great time to have your baby practice falling asleep independently even if they probably won’t be able to do so every time.

Can a 3 month old sleep on their stomach or side?

At 3 months, the AAP continues to recommend all babies be put on their backs for sleep, per safe sleep guidelines []. Once your baby can roll both ways on their own (back to front and front to back), you can let them sleep on their stomach or side. Babies are usually working on rolling between 4 - 7 months [].

What are the developmental milestones for a 3 month old?

, your baby may be becoming more expressive — most babies at around 12 weeks can flash social smiles and start to coo and make babbling noises. So cute! However, there’s a range of normal when it comes to baby development, so don’t fret if your little one isn’t trying all of these things just yet. However, reach out to their healthcare provider if you notice any red flags or have concerns about their growth and brain development.

Raise their head and chest while doing tummy time
Support the upper body with arms while positioned on the stomach
Stretch and kick their legs out
Grasp and bat at toys with hands
Open and shut hands
Start to coo and make babbling sounds
Social smile
Make eye contact and watch faces intently
Follow moving objects with their eyes

Does a 3 month old need to eat during the night?

While some 3 month olds may be able to sleep long stretches at night without eating, many babies continue to wake for feedings overnight. are also common around 3 months, which may lead to increased hunger and waking overnight to eat. At 6 months, it’s common for babies to still have .

If you have questions about your baby’s specific feeding requirements overnight, reach out to their pediatrician or a lactation consultant for guidance.

Takeaway

Most 3 month olds need about 15 hours of total sleep, with variations among babies. Ideally, aim for 10 hours of sleep at night and 3 - 5 naps a day.
A 3 month old ideally gets 4 - 5 hours of daytime sleep with 3 - 5 naps. Continue to plan naps according to wake windows and sleeping cues. Short naps are normal, and the number of naps depends on the length of individual naps.
Bedtime for a 3 month old is typically 12 - 14 hours after waking for the day but not earlier than 6:00 PM. Their bedtime depends on the number of naps per day and.

Navigating these changes can be challenging, but with a thoughtful approach to sleep schedules, you can support your baby's evolving sleep patterns and contribute to their overall well-being.

If you're curious about what lies ahead, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is on a and what you may expect from over their whole first year. Also look back at and see how far your little one has come.

3 month old baby sleep FAQ

Q: Can a 3 month old baby sleep through the night?

The greatest changes in infants’ sleep patterns occur in the first 4 months of life [7]. Most babies this age will continue to wake during the night for feedings. Consult with your pediatrician and/or your lactation consultant if you have questions regarding the appropriate amount of feedings per night for your three month old.

Q: How often do 3 month old babies sleep?

Typically, most babies this age have a wake window of 60 - 120 minutes, meaning they may need to sleep after just an hour of awake time. Aim for at least 15 hours of sleep during a 24-hour period (including 3 - 5 naps per day).

Q: How much nighttime sleep is expected for for a 3 month old?

Target 10 - 12 hours of nighttime sleep, but remember that will likely still include waking for feedings.

Q: How much awake time does a 3 month old need?

The majority of 3 month olds need sleep after an awake period of 60 - 120 minutes, depending on the time of day. The amount of awake time tends to be shorter in the morning and lengthens throughout the day. The last wake window of the day is usually the longest, which means your baby will probably sleep best with 90 - 120 minutes of awake time between their last nap and bedtime.

Q: How much daytime sleep is expected for a 3 month old?

Your infant’s sleep habits will still be a bit unpredictable at this age. Aim for 4 - 5 hours of daytime sleep split between 4 - 5 naps. Some babies can take 3 longer naps, but this is less common.

Q: My 3 month old’s sleep is all over the place. How do I get a more predictable schedule?

If you’d like to work on regulating your baby’s schedule, a good place to start is by aiming for a consistent morning wake-up time. Ideally, the morning wake time will be within the same 30-minute window each morning. If your baby sometimes wakes at 6:00 AM and other times sleeps in until 8:00 AM, you might enjoy those later mornings! However, the variation in your baby’s wake time can lead to a lot of unpredictability later in the day when planning naps and bedtime.

Q: My 3 month old’s sleep is suddenly different. Is there a 3 month sleep regression?

Between 3 and 4 months of age, your baby’s circadian rhythm [8] will mature, resulting in a change in their stages and cycles of sleep (they’ll no longer sleep like a newborn and instead have patterns similar to an adult). This is often referred to as the “4 month sleep regression.” You can read more about pediatric sleep patterns and the 4 month sleep regression here.

Q: When calculating sleep totals for my baby, should I subtract the time spent on night feeds?

When we talk about the total amount of night sleep, and what most babies need to be well rested, those numbers typically include short, age-appropriate feedings. Unfortunately, it's not a black-and-white answer as we might look at other factors when determining whether a baby is getting enough night sleep, such as the total amount of time in bed. We would be more likely to subtract longer wake times (whether feeding or not), especially in older babies. It's also important to remember that there's a range of normal and we don't recommend only focusing on the total hours slept. A child's mood and energy levels are also important when determining whether they’re getting enough sleep.

2 month sleep schedule

4 month sleep schedule

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.