8 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule
At 8 months old, your baby is outgrowing the awake windows for a 3-nap schedule. As a result, many infants will transition to a 2-nap schedule around this time. Expect sleep to be a bit bumpy during these nap transitions as your baby adjusts to staying awake for longer periods.
Try not to worry — this is temporary! Overtiredness is sometimes inevitable during this period, and it’s common to see new or increased sleep difficulties at this age due to the 8 month sleep regression. Maintaining healthy sleep habits will help your baby move past the regression as quickly as possible.
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.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
How much should an 8 month old sleep?
Sample 8 month old sleep schedule
Naptime schedule for an 8 month old
How much should an 8 month old sleep?
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendations, infants 4 - 12 months of age should get 12 - 16 hours of sleep per 24-hour period. At 8 months, we’ll aim for about 14 hours of total sleep per day. That typically breaks down to 11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours during the day over 2 - 3 naps. Most children need 2.25 - 3.5 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age.
However, also keep in mind that baby sleep needs can be diverse, and there's a spectrum of what is considered normal and healthy. Don't let the hours get you down if your child isn't quite there. The recommended hours are just a general idea, and it's equally important to observe your child's mood and energy levels to ensure they're getting enough shut-eye.
[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]
Top sleep tip for 8 month olds
Once that third nap is dropped, you’ll want to offer an earlier bedtime to limit the amount of overtiredness caused by the nap transition. Ensuring you have a longer pre-sleep bedtime routine will help cue your baby that it’s time for bed rather than the third nap.
Sleep fact for 8 month old babies
Hunger is a frequent cause of shortened sleep, including naps. Be sure to adjust meal times so that your baby doesn’t wake too early from a nap due to hunger.
Sample 8 month old sleep schedule
Note: Sleep needs vary by child, and this chart should be viewed as an example.
Naptime schedule for an 8 month old
How long should an 8 month old nap?
Aim for your 8 month old to get an average of about 3 hours of daytime sleep broken up into 2 - 3 naps. Ideally, the first 2 naps of the day will each be at least 60 minutes long. If your baby is still taking 3 naps, that last catnap is usually a shorter 30- to 45-minute nap.
How many naps for an 8 month old?
Most 8 month olds take 2 - 3 naps per day. At this age, it’s common to have both 2-nap and 3-nap days if your baby is in the midst of dropping a nap.
At this age, we expect babies to need a nap after 2.25 - 3.5 hours of awake time. If you’ve been offering naps based on awake windows, you can consider moving to a “by-the-clock” schedule, where naps and bedtime are offered at the same times each day. This allows for more schedule predictability, making it easier to plan your day.
3-nap schedule
| Morning rise | 7:00 AM |
| 1st nap | 9:15 AM - 10:30 AM (1.25 hour nap); 2.25 hours of awake time before 1st nap |
| 2nd nap | 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM (1.25 hour nap); 2.5 hours of awake time before 2nd nap |
| 3rd nap | 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM (30 minute nap); 2.5 hours of awake time before 3rd nap |
| Get ready for bed | 7:00 PM |
| Asleep | 8:00 PM; 2.75 hours of awake time before bedtime |
2-nap schedule
| Morning rise | 7:00 AM |
| 1st nap | 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM (1.5 hour nap); 2.75 hours of of awake time before 1st nap |
| 2nd nap | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (1.5 hour nap); 3.25 hours of awake time before 2nd nap |
| Get ready for bed | 6:30 PM |
| Asleep | 7:30 PM; 3.5 hours of awake time before bedtime |
Bedtime for an 8 month old
What time should an 8 month old go to bed?
At this age, plan for bedtime to be 2.75 - 3.5 hours after waking from the last nap. Babies taking 3 naps a day will have shorter awake windows, while babies taking 2 naps a day will have longer awake times. Plan for bedtime to be 12 - 14 hours after waking for the day but no earlier than 6:00 PM.
If you're curious about what lies ahead in the coming month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is 9 months old.
8 month old baby sleep FAQ
Q: Can an 8 month old baby sleep through the night?
A:
Studies in infant sleep demonstrate that 90% of babies have the ability to sleep through the night by 6 months of age. Many 8 month old babies are able to sleep a full 11 - 12 hours a night. But pediatric sleep consultants agree that some babies will still need one overnight feeding. It’s typical to offer a dream feed or one feeding during the early morning hours, between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM.
Q: How often do 8 month old babies sleep?
A:
Typically, most infants this age have an awake window of 2.25 - 3.5 hours. Aim for at least 14 hours of sleep during a 24-hour period, including 2 - 3 naps.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for an 8 month old?
A:
Target 10 - 12 hours of nighttime sleep. Some babies will sleep longer with one night feeding.
Q: How much awake time for an 8 month old?
A:
The majority of 8 month olds need sleep after an awake period of 2.25 - 3.5 hours, 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 awake window is usually the longest stretch during the day, which means your baby will probably sleep best with 2.75 - 3.5 hours of awake time in between the last nap and bedtime.
Q: How much daytime sleep for an 8 month old?
A:
Your baby will take 2 - 3 naps per day for a total of 2 - 3 hours a day.
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.
