Lulla TeamWe review current pediatric literature and synthesise it into accessible language for parents. All recommendations follow WHO and AAP guidelines.
How many hours should your baby sleep? Age-by-age guide
One of the most frequent questions parents ask. Here are the official WHO and AAP recommendations:
Recommendations by age
| Age | Total sleep per day | Naps |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | 14-17 hours | Frequent naps |
| 4-11 months | 12-15 hours | 2-3 naps + night |
| 1-2 years | 11-14 hours | 1-2 naps + night |
| 2-3 years | 10-13 hours | 1 nap + night |
When not to worry
Every child is different. If your baby sleeps 13 hours at 8 months (below the recommended 15), but wakes up happy, eats well, and develops normally — everything is fine.
Only worry if:
- Baby consistently sleeps below the recommended minimum AND is irritable during the day
- Wakes more than 4 times a night after 6 months
- Snores constantly or has breathing pauses
How you track with Lulla
The Sleep Score includes a "Duration" component that automatically compares the daily total against the WHO recommendation for your baby's exact age. On the Home screen you can see at a glance whether you're on target. If your baby is between 3 and 5 months, also read about the 4-month sleep regression — it explains a lot of seemingly inexplicable wake-ups.
Your baby's sleep schedule, by age
Your baby's sleep schedule, by age
One chart with everything that matters: total sleep per 24h, wake windows and number of naps, from newborn to age 3. Based on WHO and AAP guidance.
Sources and references
This article draws on official guidelines and peer-reviewed studies. Verify the sources directly:
- World Health Organization (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age.
- Paruthi S et al. (2016). Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med, 12(6), 785–786. (AAP-endorsed)
- Hirshkowitz M et al. (2015). National Sleep Foundation's sleep time duration recommendations. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40–43.
- Galland BC, Taylor BJ, Elder DE, Herbison P (2012). Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(3), 213–222.
- American Academy of Pediatrics — How Many Hours of Sleep Does Your Child Need? (HealthyChildren.org)
📖 Read also:
- How to build the perfect sleep routine for your baby
- What the sleep score means and how to improve it
- The 4-month sleep regression: what it is and how to get through it
Or check out the complete baby sleep guide — all 7 articles condensed in one place.