4 month old sleep schedule

Sleep architecture matures around 4 months: babies start cycling through lighter and deeper stages like adults, which is why brief wakings between cycles suddenly become noticeable (the "4 month sleep regression"). Many babies move from 4 naps to 3 around now.

Naps
3–4
Wake window
1.5–2.25 h
Total sleep / 24 h
12–16 h (incl. naps)
Night
10–12 h in bed
Daytime sleep
3–4.5 h
Bedtime
6:30–8:30pm

Adjust this 4 month old schedule

Naps per day
Plan the day from
Wake windows
1 h 50 min → 2 h → 2 h 10 min → 2 h 20 min
Daytime sleep
3 h 30 min
Night in bed
12 h 10 min
Typical 24 h total
12–16 h (incl. naps)

Your day at a glance

12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
Night sleepNapsAwake
  1. 7:00amWake up for the day
  2. 8:50am–10:05amNap 1 · 1 h 15 min
  3. 12:05pm–1:35pmNap 2 · 1 h 30 min
  4. 3:45pm–4:30pmNap 3 · 45 min
  5. 6:50pmBedtime · start routine 6:20pm

A flexible guide built from typical ranges. Watch your baby's sleepy cues and shift by 15–30 minutes as needed. Every sleep: on the back, in a clear, flat crib (AAP).

Sample 4 month old schedules

3-nap day, 7am wake-up

7:00amWake up for the day
8:50am–10:05amNap 1 (1 h 15 min)
12:05pm–1:35pmNap 2 (1 h 30 min)
3:45pm–4:30pmNap 3 (45 min)
6:50pmBedtime

Wake windows: 1 h 50 min, 2 h, 2 h 10 min, 2 h 20 min.

4-nap day, 7am wake-up

7:00amWake up for the day
8:30am–9:30amNap 1 (1 h)
11:10am–12:25pmNap 2 (1 h 15 min)
2:10pm–2:55pmNap 3 (45 min)
4:50pm–5:20pmNap 4 (30 min)
7:20pmBedtime

Wake windows: 1 h 30 min, 1 h 40 min, 1 h 45 min, 1 h 55 min, 2 h.

What helps at this age

  • If naps are 30–45 minutes, that is one sleep cycle; it often lengthens by 6 months.
  • An earlier bedtime can help on days with short naps.
  • Rolling usually starts around now: stop swaddling and keep the crib clear.

Read more about the 4 month sleep regression.

This is a common age for a nap transition.

These are typical ranges. If your baby seems unusually sleepy, is hard to wake, snores loudly, pauses in breathing, or isn't feeding or growing well, talk to your pediatrician.

4 month old sleep questions

How many naps should a 4 month old take?

Typically 3–4 naps a day, adding up to about 3–4.5 h of daytime sleep. This is a transition age, so some days will have more naps than others.

What is the wake window for a 4 month old?

Usually 1.5–2.25 h. The first wake window of the day tends to be the shortest and the stretch before bedtime the longest.

How much sleep does a 4 month old need?

About 12–16 h (incl. naps) in 24 hours, with 10–12 h in bed. This matches the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendation endorsed by the AAP.

What time should a 4 month old go to bed?

6:30–8:30pm. Pick a bedtime that falls one full wake window after the end of the last nap.