7 Month Old Sleep Development:
At 7 months, we’ll continue to aim for at least 14 hours of total sleep in a 24 hour period (11-12 hours at night and 2.5-3 hours during the day split over 3 naps).
[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]
Some babies are ready to transition to 2 naps, though most continue to need three naps, at least on some days. You may find that their total sleep gets a bit shorter until they completely drop the 3rd nap by 8-9 months of age.
Here’s what a 3-nap schedule may look like at this age:
Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example.
Sleep Tip:
If you’ve transitioned to 2 naps and are suddenly seeing increased night-waking or early waking, overtiredness may be to blame. Offer three naps 2-3 times a week to help “reset” their overtiredness and get back on track.
Sleep Fact:
The third nap can be really hard to get at this age, despite a parent’s best efforts. When it’s skipped, it’s important to offer an earlier bedtime to offset overtiredness.