6 month old sleep schedule

Most 6 month olds still take three naps, though some start resisting the third. Solid foods are usually introduced around now; they don't by themselves make babies sleep longer.

Naps
2–3
Wake window
2–3 h
Total sleep / 24 h
12–16 h (incl. naps)
Night
11–12 h in bed
Daytime sleep
3–3.5 h
Bedtime
6:30–8pm

Adjust this 6 month old schedule

Naps per day
Plan the day from
Wake windows
2 h → 2 h 15 min → 2 h 30 min → 2 h 45 min
Daytime sleep
3 h 5 min
Night in bed
11 h 25 min
Typical 24 h total
12–16 h (incl. naps)

Your day at a glance

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Night sleepNapsAwake
  1. 7:00amWake up for the day
  2. 9:00am–10:15amNap 1 · 1 h 15 min
  3. 12:30pm–1:45pmNap 2 · 1 h 15 min
  4. 4:15pm–4:50pmNap 3 · 35 min
  5. 7:35pmBedtime · start routine 7:05pm

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 6 month old schedules

3-nap day, 7am wake-up

7:00amWake up for the day
9:00am–10:15amNap 1 (1 h 15 min)
12:30pm–1:45pmNap 2 (1 h 15 min)
4:15pm–4:50pmNap 3 (35 min)
7:35pmBedtime

Wake windows: 2 h, 2 h 15 min, 2 h 30 min, 2 h 45 min.

2-nap day, 7am wake-up

7:00amWake up for the day
9:30am–11:00amNap 1 (1 h 30 min)
1:55pm–3:25pmNap 2 (1 h 30 min)
6:40pmBedtime

Wake windows: 2 h 30 min, 2 h 55 min, 3 h 15 min.

What helps at this age

  • If the catnap becomes a battle, a 2-nap day with an earlier bedtime can work.
  • Keep nights boring: quiet, dim and brief care during wakings.
  • Ask your pediatrician about night feeds; many 6 month olds still need one.

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.

6 month old sleep questions

How many naps should a 6 month old take?

Typically 2–3 naps a day, adding up to about 3–3.5 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 6 month old?

Usually 2–3 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 6 month old need?

About 12–16 h (incl. naps) in 24 hours, with 11–12 h in bed. This matches the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendation endorsed by the AAP.

What time should a 6 month old go to bed?

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