Baby sleep: gentle guidelines by age
Baby sleep from 0 to 18 months: simple, caring guidelines by age, tiredness cues to watch for, and a safe sleep environment — without pressure.
Newborn sleep (0 to 3 months)
A newborn sleeps a lot — often 14 to 17 hours a day — but in short stretches, day and night mixed together. Their internal clock doesn't yet know day from night: this is completely normal, and not something to "fix".
The best we can do at this age: offer daylight and normal life during the day, and dimness, low voices and hushed gestures at night. Little by little, baby picks up the contrast. We also watch for tiredness cues — a staring gaze, small cries, eye rubbing — to put baby down before they're overtired.
For safety, the recommended guidelines stay simple: baby sleeps on their back, on a firm, clear surface, with no pillows, heavy blankets or objects in the crib.
From 4 to 6 months: nights get organized
Around 4 months, many babies begin stretching their night sleep. Their cycles slowly move closer to adults', which can paradoxically create a bumpier period — the famous 4-month "regression", which is really a progression.
This is often when a mini bedtime routine naturally finds its place: a few repeated gestures, identical every evening, announcing the night. Nothing elaborate: regularity does all the work.
From 6 to 12 months: rhythm and naps
Between 6 and 12 months, most babies sleep about 12 to 15 hours per 24, usually with two daytime naps. Awake windows lengthen, and a fairly steady rhythm — meals, naps and bedtime at regular times — becomes real support for the whole family.
Teething, separation anxiety and big milestones (crawling, standing) can temporarily shake up nights. These passages are normal: we get through them by staying consistent and reassuring, without changing everything.
From 12 to 18 months and beyond
The move to a single nap often appears between 14 and 18 months — a transition that can take a few weeks and create small temporary disruptions. Here again, the consistency of the bedtime ritual is your best ally.
Every baby has their own tempo. Comparisons ("my neighbour's baby sleeps through the night") are the worst advisors: the ranges are wide, and many babies don't sleep through the night until much later, with nothing wrong at all.
Observe rather than perfect
The most useful question isn't "is my baby sleeping enough?" but rather "how are they during the day?". A baby who is generally well, curious and cheerful while awake is very likely getting what they need.
If nights remain very hard over a long period, if you're exhausted or worried, sleep education support can help you look at your baby's sleep with fresh eyes — gently, with no harsh methods and no judgement. And for any health question, your doctor remains the right first door.
Frequently asked questions
When do babies sleep through the night?
There's no magic age: some babies string long nights together around 4-6 months, others much later — all of it is within normal range. Rhythm, routine and consistency help, but every baby has their own tempo.
Should I wake baby from a nap to protect the night?
Not as a general rule. We mainly watch for very late afternoon naps, which can push bedtime back. The rest of the time, a baby who sleeps enough during the day often sleeps better at night.
Does baby sleep better in our room?
Safety guidelines suggest room-sharing (without bed-sharing) for the first months. Beyond that, it's a family choice: what matters is a safe environment and consistent responses.