😴 Baby Sleep Calculator
Find out exactly how much sleep your baby needs — total hours, naps, and night sleep by age
Quick Answer
Newborns sleep 14–17 hours per day; by 6 months, 12–15 hours; by 12 months, 11–14 hours. IAP and the National Sleep Foundation both recommend placing babies on their back (supine) on a firm flat surface with no loose bedding or soft toys — the single most effective measure to reduce SIDS risk.
Select your baby's age or enter their date of birth
Newborn (0–1 month)
1–2 Months
2–3 Months
3–4 Months
4–6 Months
6–8 Months
8–10 Months
10–12 Months
12–18 Months
18–24 Months
2–3 Years
3–5 Years
— OR —
We'll calculate the right stage automatically
hours of sleep per day
Night Sleep
Naps/Day
Total Nap Hrs
⏱ Wake Window
This is how long your baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps
📋 Sample Daily Schedule
🌙 Bedtime tipKeep bedtime between 7–8 PM for babies under 2. An early bedtime actually helps babies sleep longer.
☀️ Morning lightOpen curtains immediately after waking. Natural light helps set your baby's body clock.
🔁 Wake windowsWatch for sleepy cues before the end of the wake window — yawning, eye-rubbing, staring.
🤫 Dark roomA dark, cool room (24–26°C) with white noise helps babies sleep deeper and longer.
⚕️ Note: Sleep needs vary between babies. These are recommended ranges from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and IAP. If your baby consistently sleeps significantly more or less, or has difficulty settling, consult your paediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should a newborn sleep?
Newborns (0–3 months) need 14–17 hours of total sleep per day. This is spread across many short periods — typically 2–4 hours at a time. Newborns cannot distinguish day from night and need to feed frequently, so night wakings are completely normal and expected.
When do babies sleep through the night?
Most babies begin sleeping longer night stretches (5–6 hours) around 3–4 months as their circadian rhythm develops. By 6 months, many can sleep 6–8 hours continuously. By 9–12 months, many sleep 10–12 hours at night. However, there is significant variation — some babies take longer, especially during growth spurts, teething, or illness.
What is a wake window?
A wake window is the amount of time your baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps. Keeping wake windows age-appropriate prevents overtiredness — an overtired baby is paradoxically harder to settle and sleeps worse. Watch for sleepy cues (yawning, eye-rubbing, zoning out) as the wake window approaches its end.
Should my baby nap in a dark room?
Yes — a dark room helps babies produce melatonin and sleep more deeply, day or night. Blackout curtains are one of the best investments for baby sleep. A dark room also prevents early morning waking caused by sunrise light entering the room.
My baby won't sleep unless held — is this normal?
Yes, completely normal — especially in the first 3–4 months. Newborns are used to the warmth and closeness of the womb. You cannot spoil a baby under 6 months. Respond promptly to sleep cues. As baby grows, you can gradually work toward independent settling — always prioritising safety (firm flat surface, no loose bedding for babies under 1 year).
👩⚕️ What Paediatricians Say About Baby Sleep
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Safe Sleep guidelines advise against bed-sharing with adults — a very common practice in Indian families. Room-sharing (baby's cot in parents' room) is recommended for the first 6 months as it reduces SIDS risk by up to 50%.
- Night waking is biologically normal for babies under 6 months — it is not a sign of insufficient feeding
- "Sleep training" methods are not endorsed by IAP before 6 months of age
- Indian tradition of baby massage (maalish) before sleep increases melatonin and improves sleep quality
- White noise at a safe volume (under 50 dB) can help Indian babies sleep in noisy urban environments