How much sleep does my baby need?

Parenting is an adventure - and sleep is an important part of that. When your baby is born, they are small and fragile, but oh, how fast they grow! They go through enormous developments in the first year and sleep plays a crucial role in this. Read in this article how much sleep your little one needs at different age stages and why sleep is so important for your baby.

First things first: every baby is different and what works for one may not work for another. In this article we assume an average baby, but your baby may have different needs. See it as a guideline, but not as absolute truth.

0 - 3 months: sleep, baby, sleep

Average: 14-17 hours of sleep per day (including naps)
Maximum wake time: approximately 45 to 90 minutes

Your newborn baby is a miniature miracle. Your baby discovers the world with his senses while he is deep in dreamland. On average, babies this age need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep per day. Why Because their little brains work in overdrive to make new connections and process impressions. Sleep is the fuel for this turbo development!!

4 - 6 months: sleep changes and milestones

Average: 12-15 hours of sleep per day (including naps)
Maximum waking time: approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours

Look at that smiling face! Your baby is growing so quickly and reaching important milestones like rolling, grasping and babbling. With all these new skills, they still need 12 to 15 hours of sleep per day. Sleeping helps anchor all those new memories and skills. And let's be honest, rested babies are just a lot happier, and that makes us happy too!

7 - 9 months: active dreamers

Average: 12-14 hours of sleep per day (including naps)
Maximum wake time: approximately 2 to 3 hours

Crawling and pulling up, your baby does real baby workouts at this age! Your baby is busy exploring the world and himself. With all this activity, they still need a lot of sleep, about 12 to 14 hours a day. Sleep is especially important at this stage because it recharges the battery and supports growth. They will also actively dream as they prepare for their next adventure.

10 months - 1 year: little explorers

Average: 11-14 hours of sleep per day (including naps)
Maximum waking time: approximately 3 to 4 hours

Your baby is now a little explorer exploring everything within reach. Sometimes they can even take their first steps! This active phase requires approximately 11 to 14 hours of sleep per day. Sleep helps their bodies recover after a busy day of research work.

Recognize sleep signals like a pro

Now that you have a better understanding of your little one's sleep needs, it is also important to be able to properly recognize sleep signals. Of course, you know your baby best, but there are some common signals. Consider, for example, yawning, rubbing the eyes, touching the ears, sudden mood swings and excessive restlessness. When you notice these signs, it's time to take your little one to dreamland. Even if your child is not yet ready for a nap according to your regular sleep rhythm. Rhythm and regularity are important for a baby, but personal needs are even more important! If your baby suddenly needs his nap earlier, listen to these signals and put him to bed nice and early.

Remember: every child is unique, so don't be too hard on yourself if your little one deviates from the averages. Sleep is crucial for their development and happiness, so make sure you are conscious about it. Don't forget to enjoy these precious moments with your baby - before you know it, they won't be so little anymore!

Love,

Frederieke