Is it time for a nap?

Enter your baby's age in months to see the recommended total sleep, nap count and wake window range.

Baby age

months

Enter 0 to 24 months.

I know the last wake-up time (estimate the next nap)

Estimates based on the AAP 2016 sleep duration consensus and pediatric wake-window guidance. Learn more
For reference only. Individual variation is wide. If you suspect breathing difficulty or sleep apnea, see a pediatrician.

Source

Based on AAP sleep recommendations

Total sleep hours follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2016 consensus statement on recommended sleep duration. Wake window and nap counts are pediatric clinical reference ranges in widespread use.

Read the AAP healthy sleep habits guide →

Note Sleep patterns vary widely. It is normal for your baby to fall ±1 hour outside the recommended total or ±15 minutes outside the wake window. Day-to-day variation is expected — look at overall mood, daytime alertness, and developmental trends rather than a perfect schedule.

Recommended sleep and wake window by age

AAP 2016 recommended total sleep duration alongside developmental-pediatric wake window and nap-count reference ranges.

Age	Total sleep	Wake window	Naps
0–2 mo	14–17 hr	45–60 min	5–7 /day
2–4 mo	14–17 hr	60–90 min	4–5 /day
4–6 mo	12–16 hr	90–120 min	3–4 /day
6–9 mo	12–15 hr	120–180 min	2–3 /day
9–12 mo	12–15 hr	180–240 min	2 /day
12–18 mo	11–14 hr	240–300 min	1–2 /day
18–24 mo	11–14 hr	300–360 min	1 /day

Source: AAP 2016 sleep duration consensus statement · developmental-pediatric clinical guides.

Signs that warrant a pediatrician visit

If any of these apply, talk to your pediatrician. Breathing, growth, and overall behavior matter more than the exact number of sleep hours.

Loud snoring during sleep, or repeated pauses in breathing.
Refuses naps almost entirely and is fussy or crying all day.
Daily total sleep falls more than 3 hours short of the recommended range and growth/development stalls.
Difficult to rouse, persistent lethargy, or reduced responsiveness.
Sudden large increase in night waking together with fever, vomiting, or other new symptoms.

For emergency symptoms (breathing trouble, unresponsiveness, lethargy with fever) go to the ER right away.

What are the recommended hours?

AAP / American Academy of Sleep Medicine total sleep hours by age (including naps):

Newborn 0-3 months: 14-17 hours
Infant 4-11 months: 12-16 hours
Toddler 1-2 years: 11-14 hours
3-5 years: 10-13 hours
6-12 years: 9-12 hours

Every baby has their own pattern; ±1-2 hours from the range is still within normal. Sleep patterns typically stabilize from around 3-4 months.

Limitations

The ranges are population averages; consider these caveats:

Individual variation: ±2-3 hours is normal at any age. If your baby plays well when awake and growth curve is normal, hours alone are not a worry.
Sleep regressions: temporary disruption around 4, 8-10, 12, and 18 months.
Teething, colds, and vaccinations cause short-term sleep changes.
Night waking under 1 year is normal — part of infant development.
See your pediatrician immediately for breathing difficulty, loud snoring, or suspected sleep apnea.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How should I use the AAP recommended hours?

The ranges are normal for most babies. Being 1-2 hours below or above the range is not concerning as long as your baby plays well when awake and the growth curve is normal.

The range covers 24-hour total sleep (night + naps). Under 4 months, day and night are barely distinguishable; from 4 months, night sleep gradually consolidates.

My baby is not sleeping the recommended hours — what should I do?

First check whether the wake window is too long or too short: 1.5-2 hours at 4-6 months, 2-3 hours at 6-12 months, 4-6 hours at 1-2 years.

A consistent bedtime routine (bath → book → lullaby) and the same bedtime help. If the pattern doesn't change over days or weeks, or if there is snoring, breathing difficulty, extreme drowsiness, or poor weight gain, a pediatric evaluation is needed.