6 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule
Updated Sep 30, 2024
Once your baby turns 6 months old, they’re likely to settle into a fairly reliable schedule with 3 regular naps. This makes it easier to prioritize some naps at home while planning activities in between! We’ll equip you with a sample 6 month old sleep schedule and ways to combat any upcoming nap resistance.
Editor’s note
The recommendations listed below represent the average amount of sleep typically needed at this age. However, please note there is a range of normal as some children have lower or higher sleep needs. Your child’s schedule may vary, and that is normal.
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How much should a 6 month old sleep?
Expect to see . Aim for 11 - 12 hours at night and 2.5 - 3.5 hours during the day.
Keep in mind, however, that baby's sleep needs can differ, and there is a range of what is considered normal and healthy. The recommended hours should be viewed as a general guide, but it's equally important to assess your child's mood and energy levels to ensure they are getting sufficient rest.
Most babies still need 2 - 3 hours of awake time in between sleep periods. Since that last nap can be so tricky, we often encourage parents to help their child fall asleep any way they can for the third nap of the day, as long as it’s safe. This will help your baby make it to bedtime without getting overtired.
[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]
Here's a quick overview of what you may expect when it comes to 6 month olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.
| Average total sleep | 14 hours |
| Number of naps | 3 |
| Goal daytime sleep | 2.5 - 3.5 hours |
| Wake windows | 2 - 3 hours |
Top sleep tip for 6 month old
Your 6 month old baby probably still needs 3 naps. If that last nap is hard to get in, consider lengthening the awake window beforehand by 15 minutes. It’s okay if bedtime ends up being later as a result of the later nap.
Sleep fact for 6 month old babies
Most 6 month olds are now developmentally ready to fall asleep independently and . If you’ve been helping your baby fall asleep (e.g., by rocking or feeding) and your family isn’t getting enough shuteye, it may be time to teach your baby to fall asleep with less help at bedtime. This should work to lengthen and consolidate their nighttime sleep!
Sample 6 month old sleep schedule
Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example only.
Morning rise: 6:30 AM
Wake window before first nap: 2 hours
First nap: 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM (1.25 hour nap)
Wake window before second nap: 2.25 hours
Second nap: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (1.5 hour nap)
Wake window before third nap: 2.5 hours
Third nap: 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM (30 minute nap)
Get ready for bed: 6:30 PM
Wake window before bedtime: 2.75 hours
Asleep: 7:15 PM
Naptime schedule for a 6 month old
Expect your 6 month old baby to take and need 2 - 3 hours of awake time in between sleep periods. Awake windows increase as the day progresses, so the longest awake period is just before bedtime. Your baby may need 2 hours of awake time before their first nap and up to 3 hours of awake time before their last one.
Many babies start to resist the third and final nap of the day around this age. You may think it's also a but resisting naps are a normal phase. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s time to transition to 2 naps; most babies aren’t ready for that until 7 - 9 months old. When a baby transitions too early, it can lead to a host of sleep challenges (hello, increased night waking!). Aim for longer wake windows to increase drowsiness instead of rushing to drop a nap.
How long should a 6 month old nap?
Ideally, the first 2 naps will each be 60 - 90 minutes long. The third, and final, nap is typically shorter, around 30 - 45 minutes.
How many naps for a 6 month old?
Target 3 naps a day at this age. While it’s not uncommon to see 6 month olds still taking 4 naps, keeping this schedule for too long can lead to shorter naps and shortened night sleep. To solve this, lengthen the awake time in between naps and aim for 3 naps a day. This , resulting in longer stretches of sleep.
Huckleberry Tip:
On the other end of the spectrum, we sometimes see 6 month olds taking just 2 naps a day. This tends to cause overtiredness, which leads to increased night waking and/or early waking. This is why we don’t recommend a 2-nap schedule for 6 month olds. To sum up, aim for 3 naps a day at this age for maximum benefits!
Here’s what a typical day may look like at this age:
3-nap schedule
| Morning rise | 6:30 AM |
| 1st nap | 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM (1.25 hour nap); 2 hours of awake time before 1st nap |
| 2nd nap | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (1.5 hour nap); 2.25 hours of awake time before 2nd nap |
| 3rd nap | 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM (30 minute nap); 2.5 hours of awake time before 3rd nap |
| Get ready for sleep | 6:30 PM |
| Asleep | 7:15 PM; 2.75 hours of awake time before bed |
Bedtime for a 6 month old
Schedules tend to become more predictable at this age, and bedtime is typically 12 - 13 hours after they wake up each morning. However, it’s important to be flexible and adjust the bedtime earlier if needed. When babies have short naps or skip a nap, consider moving bedtime earlier to limit overtiredness. Likewise, if that third nap creeps later in the day, bedtime may need to be pushed later as well.
What time should a 6 month old go to bed?
Many 6 months olds are ready for bed between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. However, the best bedtime for your baby will be determined by their own circadian rhythm, or internal clock, and how well they’ve napped that day. The , meaning that your baby’s morning rise time will have a big impact on bedtime.
As babies approach 7 months of age, it’s common for them to skip the third nap of the day. This is especially true for babies who nap well earlier in the day. Moving bedtime earlier on those days can minimize the impact of overtiredness on night sleep.
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 how far your little one has come by checking out a .
6 month old baby sleep FAQ
Q: Can a 6 month old baby sleep through the night?
A:
Some babies this age can sleep through the night. For example, a 6 month old who’s mastered the skill of falling asleep independently and is getting sufficient calories during the day is more likely to sleep through the night. On the other hand, if your baby has a parent-led sleep association or is hungry at night, you’re likely to see some night wakings. It’s still common for babies to have 1 - 2 night feedings at this age.
Q: How often do 6 month old babies sleep?
A:
An average 6 month old baby needs 3 naps per day, with 2 - 3 hours of awake time in between sleep periods. The period of wakefulness before the first nap tends to be the shortest of the day, and most babies are ready for that first snooze after 2 hours of wake time. The longest period of wakefulness comes at the end of the day. As a result, a 6 month old typically needs 2.5 - 3 hours of wake time before bedtime.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for a 6 month old?
A:
Most babies this age need at least 10 hours of night sleep, although 11 - 12 hours is ideal.
Q: How much awake time for a 6 month old?
A:
Aim for 2 - 3 hours of wakefulness in between sleep periods. Awake windows tend to increase throughout the day, with the longest period of wakefulness occurring before bedtime.
Q: How much daytime sleep for a 6 month old?
A:
Six month old babies typically need 2.5 - 3.5 hours of daytime sleep each day. Napping more than that can impact nighttime sleep and lead to split nights (where a baby stays awake for hours during the night) or early waking, in some cases.
Q: Why does my 6 month old still have short naps?
A:
While we still expect some short naps of 30 - 45 minutes at this age, we hope to see the first 2 naps start to consolidate and lengthen. The circadian rhythm is fully developed, and most babies this age are able to start linking sleep cycles during the day with the proper foundation, which leads to longer naps. Chronic short naps are typically caused by schedule issues and/or parent-led sleep associations (such as using movement or feeding to help your baby fall asleep). If your baby is taking 4 naps a day, lengthen the wake time between each nap and transition to a 3 nap schedule. This allows more sleep pressure to build, making it easier for your baby to link sleep cycles and extend their naps.
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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.
