Baby Sleep Schedule Calculator

Pick your baby's age and morning wake-up time to get typical wake windows and a sample nap schedule.

This tool gives general estimates only and is not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider.

What is a wake window?

A wake window is how long a baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps. Very young babies manage under an hour, and the window stretches as they grow. Putting a baby down inside their window often makes sleep easier than waiting until they are overtired.

The ranges here are general ones commonly shared by pediatric sleep resources. Every baby is different, so use your baby's sleepy cues (yawning, zoning out, fussing) alongside the clock.

How the sample day is built

The schedule starts at your baby's wake-up time. The first wake window of the day is the shortest, the windows in the middle are a little longer, and the stretch before bedtime is the longest, because most babies can stay awake longer as the day goes on. Naps are added until bedtime lands in the usual range for your baby's age. If a full nap would push bedtime too late, the last one becomes a short catnap.

Signs your baby is getting tired

The clock is only a guide. Watch for early sleepy cues and start winding down when you see them:

Yawning, rubbing eyes or pulling at ears
Staring into space or losing interest in toys and faces
Becoming quieter, then fussier
Jerky movements or arching in younger babies

A baby who is past their window can become overtired and harder to settle, so it often helps to start the nap routine a little early rather than late.

Safe sleep basics

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their back for every sleep, on a firm, flat surface such as a crib or bassinet mattress with a fitted sheet. Keep pillows, blankets, bumpers and soft toys out of the sleep space. Sharing a room, but not a bed, is recommended for at least the first 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my baby not follow the schedule?

Schedules are averages. Growth spurts, illness, teething and travel all shift sleep for a while. Adjust in 15-minute steps.

When do babies drop to one nap?

Usually between 12 and 18 months, though some drop earlier or later. Going from two naps to one is often gradual.

How much sleep does a baby need?

Roughly 14–17 hours a day for newborns, 12–16 for 4–12 months, and 11–14 for toddlers aged 1–2, including naps.

Should I wake my baby from a long nap?

Many parents cap a single nap at about 2 to 2½ hours so it does not cut into night sleep, and newborns may need waking to feed. Ask your pediatrician what suits your baby.

When do babies sleep through the night?

It varies widely. Many babies start sleeping longer stretches somewhere between 3 and 6 months, but night waking is still common and normal well into the first year.