Baby bedtime by age
When should your baby go to bed? Ideal bedtime, wake time, and night sleep hours from newborn through 3 years, based on pediatric sleep research.
Bedtime Calculator
Enter your baby's age to see the recommended bedtime window.
Bedtime chart by age
Bedtime shifts earlier as your baby's circadian rhythm develops. Newborns don't have a fixed bedtime, but by 4-6 months most babies do well with a 7-8 PM bedtime.
| Age | Bedtime | Wake Time | Night Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 weeks | 9:00-11:00 PM | - | 8-9h |
| 6-12 weeks | 8:00-10:00 PM | 6:00-8:00 AM | 8-10h |
| 3-4 months | 7:30-9:00 PM | 6:00-7:30 AM | 10-11h |
| 4-6 months | 7:00-8:00 PM | 6:00-7:00 AM | 10-11h |
| 6-9 months | 6:30-7:30 PM | 6:00-7:00 AM | 10.5-11h |
| 9-12 months | 6:30-7:30 PM | 6:00-7:00 AM | 10-11h |
| 12-18 months | 7:00-8:00 PM | 6:00-7:00 AM | 10-11h |
| 18-24 months | 7:00-8:00 PM | 6:00-7:30 AM | 10-10.5h |
| 2-3 years | 7:00-8:00 PM | 6:30-7:30 AM | 10-10.5h |
Why bedtime matters more than you think
A consistent bedtime is one of the most effective things you can do for your baby's sleep. Babies who go to bed at roughly the same time each night fall asleep faster, wake less often, and sleep longer overall. It's not about a magic number on the clock. It's about consistency.
Before 3 months, bedtime is naturally late (9-11 PM) because your baby's internal clock hasn't kicked in yet. Around 3-4 months, the circadian rhythm starts to develop and bedtime shifts earlier. By 6 months, most babies do best going down between 6:30 and 7:30 PM.
If bedtime is a fight every night, the most common fix is making it earlier, not later. An overtired baby produces cortisol, which makes falling asleep harder. Moving bedtime up by 15-30 minutes often solves the problem within a few days.
Sources
- A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep — Mindell & Owens, 3rd ed.
- Development of the circadian system in early life — Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2022
- Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations — American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016
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