Age-by-Age Sleep Expectations
The ranges below are general guides. All babies are different, and there is a wide range of "normal".
Newborn to 3 months
Total sleep: ~14–17 hours in 24 hours, in short bursts of 1–3 hours.
What to expect: Newborns have no sense of day or night. Sleep is driven by hunger and comfort. Their circadian rhythm begins to develop around 4 to 6 weeks, and by about 8 weeks some babies start sleeping slightly longer stretches.
Feeding: Newborns feed frequently — breastfed babies often wake every few hours, while bottle-fed babies may go slightly longer between feeds. Speak to your midwife or pediatrician about how often your newborn should be fed and whether they need to be woken for feeds.
Practical tip: Keep night-time interactions low-key. Dim lights, quiet voices, and minimal stimulation help a baby gradually learn that night is for sleeping.
3 to 6 months
Total sleep: ~12–15 hours in 24 hours.
What to expect: Day and night rhythms typically emerge. Most babies take 2 to 4 naps during the day, each up to about 2 hours. By 6 months, some babies can manage a stretch of around 6 hours at night, though most still wake at least once.
Night feeds: Waking for feeds is still common at this age.
Practical tip: This is a common age to start a simple bedtime routine (such as bath, feed, story, cuddle) to signal that sleep time is approaching.
6 to 12 months
Total sleep: ~11–14 hours in 24 hours.
What to expect: Most sleep now happens at night, with many babies managing stretches of 6 to 8 hours. Awake and sleep patterns become more predictable. Some babies may no longer need a night feed, though waking for settling or comfort is still common.
Developmental changes: Physical milestones (crawling, pulling to stand) and emotional changes (separation anxiety) can disrupt sleep temporarily.
Sources: Pregnancy Birth and Baby, Raising Children Network, KidsHealth (Nemours)
The content in this guide is based on Australian evidence-based sources and is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not constitute medical advice. Every baby and family is unique. Always consult with your doctor, pediatrician, or local healthcare provider regarding specific concerns about your baby's health or sleep.