9 week old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule
At just over 2 months old, your newborn’s sleep patterns will likely remain unpredictable. But the good news is they may have some longer stretches of night sleep now. Plus, a more regular 24-hour cycle of eating and sleeping is on the horizon for your little one, usually around 3 - 4 months.
In this article, we’ll help you understand what to expect when it comes to your baby’s naps and bedtime, give you tips for figuring out when your child may need to snooze next and answer frequently asked questions about sleep at 9 weeks.
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 9 week old sleep?
How much should a 9 week old sleep?
At 9 weeks, we recommend aiming for around 15.5 hours of total sleep [1] in a 24-hour period for your little one. This typically includes 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep, split over 4 - 5 naps. However, keep in mind there’s a range of normal when it comes to babies and sleep development. It’s not uncommon for the amount your baby sleeps to vary from day to day at this age. For this reason, we suggest keeping tabs on your child’s overall mood and energy levels — instead of solely the number of hours of sleep each day — when determining if they’re getting enough shuteye.
Top sleep tips for 9 week olds
Tip #1: Watch sleepy cues and wake windows
Sleep may be quite unpredictable still at 9 weeks old — this is normal! We don’t expect babies to have more consistent sleep patterns until around 3 - 4 months when they’ll likely have a regular 24-hour cycle of eating and sleeping. To determine when your child may need to snooze in the meantime, we suggest paying attention to sleepy cues and wake windows.
Children at 2 months can usually comfortably stay awake for about 45 minutes - 1.75 hours. If your child has been awake for a length of time in this range and you notice any of their sleepy cues — like your child getting quiet, staring off into space, rubbing their eyes, etc. — this combination is typically a sign that your little one is ready for rest again. However, sleep cues can be fleeting and easy to miss. If your child hasn’t shown any sleepy signs, we recommend offering a nap after about 1.5 hours of awake time.
Tip #2: It may be time to stop swaddling
Around 2 - 3 months old, most babies will transition out of the swaddle. Keep in mind the American Academy of Pediatrics [2] recommends removing the swaddle as soon as your baby shows any signs of rolling. If your little one is ready to move away from the swaddle, we recommend trying a sleep sack (a wearable blanket) instead. Sleep sacks can help keep your baby warm, comfortable, and safe while they’re snoozing. Getting into a sleep sack can also be a great addition to your child’s bedtime routine.
Naptime schedule for 9 weeks
How long should a 9 week old nap?
We won’t expect a 9 week old to follow any patterns when it comes to nap length. Nap durations will be unpredictable at this age [3] and daytime sleep may last anywhere from 30 minutes - 2 hours — and this may change from nap to nap. However, if you notice that your baby is sleeping longer periods during the day and it’s impacting their overnight sleep, you can limit each nap to 2 hours to help consolidate night sleep. This may also help regulate their schedule. Most babies at 9 weeks will get about 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep per day.
How many naps for a 9 week old?
The number of naps your 9 week old takes depends on the length of their naps and how long they can comfortably stay awake between sleep periods. At this age, we typically see 4 - 5 naps per day with 45 minutes - 1.75 hours of awake time in between sleep periods. It’s not uncommon for every day to look different when it comes to daytime sleep, however. Some days your little one may nap for long stretches and the next day they may take short cat naps — both are normal at this age.
Bedtime for 9 week olds
Around 9 weeks, day-night rhythm emerges [4]. This means that sleep consolidates more into distinct day and night sleep patterns, rather than being distributed evenly throughout a 24-hour day. While this may result in some (very welcomed) longer stretches of overnight sleep, note that it’s still developmentally appropriate for newborns at 9 weeks to wake overnight for feedings and comfort. Consult with your child’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant regarding the specific number of feedings your little one needs at this age.
What time should a 9 week old go to bed?
Your baby’s bedtime will be determined by the time they woke up that morning [5] and the quantity of naps they took that day. For this reason, at 9 weeks, it’s common for bedtime to be a bit different every day as there’s not much predictability yet when it comes to newborn sleep. Often bedtime will still be pretty late at this age. Your child’s longest stretch of sleep in a 24-hour period may come after 10:00 PM!
Note that we don’t recommend keeping your little one awake for long stretches during the day in an attempt to get to an earlier bedtime or longer stretches of overnight sleep. While it sounds like a good plan, in theory, it can lead to overtiredness. When a child is overtired, it makes it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. While late bedtimes can be tricky for parents’ schedules, once your child’s internal clock is fully developed (around 3 - 4 months), bedtime will likely shift earlier. You’ll get there!
If you're curious about what lies ahead in the next month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is a 10 week old. Take a look back at how far your baby has come by revisiting what they may have been like as a 2 month/8 week old.
9 week old baby sleep FAQ
Q: Can a 9 week old baby sleep through the night?
A:
Babies at 9 weeks usually continue to wake overnight for feedings and comfort. However, now that they’re over 2 months old, your baby may be able to sleep some longer stretches overnight. We recommend that you consult with your child’s pediatrician and/or a lactation consultant about your child’s specific needs when it comes to night feedings.
Q: How often do 9 week old babies sleep?
A:
Newborns are still pretty sleepy at 9 weeks! They will likely take 4 - 5 naps per day (equaling 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep) for an average of 15.5 hours of sleep during a 24-hour period. Most babies at this age will be able to comfortably stay awake for 45 minutes - 1.75 hours before needing to snooze again.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for a 9 week old?
A:
Babies typically spend 9 - 12 hours in their sleep space overnight, though they won’t be asleep for this entire time. Most babies at 9 weeks will wake a few times overnight for nourishment and snuggles — this is normal!
Q: How much awake time for a 9 week old?
A:
Wake windows are generally around 45 minutes to 1.75 hours at just over 2 months old. We tend to see shorter awake periods in the morning and then the longest stretch of awake time during the day is often right before bedtime. However, we recommend keeping track of sleepy cues and your baby’s energy levels when determining if they’ve had enough awake time and are ready to sleep again. Activities like tummy time and being outside can be stimulating for a newborns and cause them to quickly tire.
Q: How much daytime sleep for a 9 week old?
A:
Since your baby’s circadian rhythm isn’t fully developed at 9 weeks, sleep remains pretty unpredictable. Children at this age commonly take 4 - 5 naps per day, totaling 5 - 6 hours of daytime sleep. Keep in mind every baby is different and some children have higher or lower sleep needs. Mood and energy levels are often great indicators that your child’s getting enough daytime sleep.
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.
5 Sources
National Sleep Foundation. (2015). National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218%252815%252900015-7/fulltext
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Swaddling: Is it Safe for Your Baby? https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Swaddling-Is-it-Safe.aspx
Sleep Medicine Reviews. (2017). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6587181/
Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition. (2015). Getting rhythm: how do babies do it? https://fn.bmj.com/content/100/1/F50
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. (2018). PERSPECTIVE: The Long-Term Effects of Light Exposure on Establishment of Newborn Circadian Rhythm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175794/
