Updated on
November 29, 2024
Here’s everything you need to know about sleep schedules and your baby's sleep patterns in the 2nd month – and why flexibility is key.
So, your baby is between three and four months old (or older) and suddenly doesn’t want to sleep anymore? No wonder you’re concerned! Don’t blame yourself; it’s not your fault. The reasons for this challenging sleep behavior are biological—and completely NORMAL. Spoiler alert: Along with learning many new cognitive and motor skills, your baby is also learning how to sleep.
How does all of this connect? What do growth and developmental spurts have to do with it? And why shouldn’t you fear the infamous 4-month sleep regression? You’ll find out next.
Below, we answer the most common questions about the 4-month sleep regression:
Do sleepless nights, unstructured days sound familiar?
Welcome to parenthood; it’s bittersweet. It’s loads of love with a pinch (or two) of exhaustion.
A few hours of sleep here, a little rest there – your newborn’s (0–3 months) sleep is unpredictable and can be exhausting in the long run. It’s no surprise that you might be longing for more sleep, structure, and a reliable plan for your baby. But patience is key.
Why should you hold off on implementing a strict sleep schedule for your baby? The answer lies in biology: Newborns are born without an established sleep-wake cycle and need time to develop it. It takes a while for them to learn how to fall asleep and stay asleep, as well as to stabilize their sleep cycles (learn more about milestones & sleep regressions). Irregular sleep with short phases is completely normal and age-appropriate at this stage.
It’s only around the 3rd or 4th month that your baby begins to develop a more regulated circadian rhythm and experiences longer, more consistent sleep stretches.
So, what can you do until then?
Do yourself a favor and be flexible.
Rather than focusing on rigid schedules that can lead to frustration, it’s often more effective to adapt to your baby’s individual needs. Pay attention to age-appropriate wake windows and signs of tiredness to determine when your baby is ready for a nap.
Remember: Your baby’s sleep rhythm is unique and influenced by many factors, such as age, temperament, and daily mood. If things don’t go as planned, practice patience. Your baby isn’t a clockwork machine but a little human who needs flexibility, security, and your understanding to grow and thrive, especially during these early months.
For more guidance and tips on supporting your baby’s sleep rhythm with flexibility, check out these helpful resources:
In the next section, learn how a sample sleep schedule might look for a 2-month-old.
When is the best time for your baby to wake up? How often should they nap during the day? And how long should their sleep stretches be? Baby sleep is a topic full of questions – and even more answers.
Pretty sure you heard this one before, but every baby’s sleep needs are unique. That means: There’s no “right” or “wrong,” only general guidelines and recommendations for sleep duration, wake windows, or sleep patterns. Each baby develops at their own pace and has individual needs.
Babies keep things interesting – their rhythms are unpredictable and often surprising. The timing of their morning wake-up, the number of naps, or their duration can rarely be pinned down. Irregular sleep phases and short wake windows are as common in the early months as frequent feedings and diaper changes.
Hence the sleep schedule below is just one of many examples of what a sleep routine with a baby might look like. It’s not a rigid schedule but a flexible guide for your day. Pay close attention to your baby, watch for wake windows, signs of tiredness [Link], and hunger cues to tailor the routine to their needs.
Do you feel like you’ve entered a new time zone where your sleep schedule is completely out of sync? Welcome to the club of new parents – and congratulations! Your days now likely revolve around your baby, especially when it comes to sleep. The question of what sleep even feels like may cross your mind often, as you quickly realize in those first nights: nothing is quite the same anymore.
A newborn's sleep rhythm is often unpredictable – something you’ve likely already noticed. The first year with a baby can feel like a rollercoaster, with phases where sleep becomes more challenging. These sleep regressions are completely normal and only temporary. Hang in there – it will get better, promise!
When will it get better? Once your baby starts to recognize the difference between day and night and their circadian rhythm begins to develop. Newborns are born without this internal clock, which can make their daily schedule feel unpredictable. In the womb, your baby was in a constant, dark environment, unaffected by the day-night cycle. While they begin to alternate between sleep and wake phases from the 36th week of pregnancy, these patterns are still not connected to the time of day.
After birth, this irregular rhythm continues – typically for the first three to four months. It takes time for your baby’s internal clock to develop and for them to adjust to the day-night cycle. Until then, sleep and wake phases alternate more frequently and in shorter intervals. Hunger and fullness also play a significant role, meaning your baby will likely wake every two to four hours to feed.
Between the third and fourth month, your baby’s sleep phases gradually start to stabilize, and longer wake periods become more common. Their day-night rhythm begins to align more closely with that of adults, and they start learning to link sleep cycles, allowing for longer stretches of sleep.
Remember: Every baby develops at their own pace. Be patient and stay flexible when things don’t go as planned.
Why do newborns and young babies sleep so much? It’s simple: their world is full of new experiences. Sounds, smells, bright daylight, the feel of clothing or diapers on their sensitive skin - all of this is suddenly overwhelming and needs to be processed during sleep.
A newborn’s body and brain are developing at an incredible pace, with constant growth and the formation of new neural connections (learn more about sleep regressions and developmental phases). Even while sleeping, your baby’s brain stays active, working to process the day’s experiences and impressions. This sleep is essential for their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
That’s why newborns have such a high sleep requirement. Let your baby sleep as much as they need - every moment of rest supports their growth and development.
In the second month, your baby still has a significant need for sleep and spends many hours of the day snoozing. Sleep phases remain irregular and are spread across several short naps throughout the day and night.
Babies at this age typically sleep 14 to 17 hours per day, divided into 4 to 6 naps lasting between 1.5 and 3 hours each. These are general guidelines, as every baby has their own rhythm and individual needs. Some babies naturally wake every 2 hours due to hunger, while others may need a gentle nudge to ensure they’re drinking enough and getting the necessary calories.
If your baby doesn’t fit perfectly into this pattern, don’t worry—it’s completely normal. Baby sleep varies widely, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. However, if you’re unsure whether your baby is sleeping enough—or perhaps too much—it’s always a good idea to consult your midwife or pediatrician for guidance.
You can’t directly control your baby’s sleep needs, as they depend on various factors like hunger, growth spurts, and developmental leaps. What you can do is respond with patience and love to meet your baby’s needs. With empathy and understanding, you’ll navigate this special phase together.
One thing is certain: newborns sleep a lot, as sleep is essential for their growth and development. However, as your baby grows, their sleep patterns will gradually change. Over the next twelve months, you’ll notice many shifts in their sleep habits (learn more about developmental milestones & sleep regressions). Before your little one transitions from a sleepy newborn to an active toddler, you’ll navigate through the newborn sleep phase. During this time—and beyond—flexibility will be key.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the sleep needs of babies aged 0 to 18 months. This is meant as a guideline, not a strict rule. Your baby’s exact sleep needs will vary based on their unique temperament, energy levels, and stage of development. Pay attention to their mood, activity levels, and overall progress—these factors can all influence how much sleep they need.
In the second month, you’ll notice more awake moments with your baby, as they begin to curiously explore their surroundings. Wake windows gradually become longer, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes—and occasionally up to 90 minutes. However, the sleep schedule remains irregular, and after feeding, diaper changes, and cuddles, your baby will often be ready to sleep again.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term "wake windows," check out our article Wake Windows for Babies: Tips & Tricks for Better Sleep [Link], where you’ll learn how age-appropriate wake times can help your baby fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. Watch for early signs of tiredness, like yawning, rubbing eyes, or fussiness, to know when it’s time for a nap and to avoid overtiredness.
Make the most of these awake moments to strengthen your bond. Your baby is now curious about the world and especially receptive to stimuli like your voice or facial expressions. These times are perfect for gentle activities like talking, diaper changes, or feeding. With each passing day, your baby’s sleep-wake rhythm will become a bit more predictable and easier to navigate.
In the first 12 weeks, wake windows for newborns gradually lengthen as your baby grows. Here’s a quick guide to typical wake times by age:
Sleep regressions are phases in which baby's and toddler's sleep pattern can temporarily change due to growth spurts. This is a normal part of child development and often occurs around four, eight, twelve, 18, and 24 months of age. During these phases, babies and toddlers may have difficulty falling asleep and sleep poorly - at night as well as during the day. Fortunately, sleep regressions are not permanent; after a developmental leap, your child's sleep should return to normal. Parents can help their child navigate a sleep regression with a personalized sleep plan, along with consistent routines and rituals.
Are you unsure whether your baby has sleep regression and would like to understand your baby's sleep patterns? With Happy Baby, you can record your baby's sleep and create an individual sleep plan that helps you through the difficult phases.
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