"How many naps is he supposed to take again?" If you ask yourself that question at every schedule change, you're not alone. The number of naps evolves quickly during the first year, with transitions that can get bumpy. Here are clear benchmarks, so you can support your baby's rhythm instead of fighting it.
Naps by age: the chart
| Age | Naps per day | Daytime sleep | Total sleep / 24h |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 months | 4 to 6 (irregular) | 6-8 h | 14-17 h |
| 3-4 months | 3 to 4 | 4-5 h | 13-16 h |
| 5-6 months | 3 | 2.5-4 h | 12-16 h |
| 7-9 months | 2 to 3 | 2-3.5 h | 12-15 h |
| 10-12 months | 2 | 2-3 h | 12-15 h |
| 13-17 months | 1 to 2 | 1.5-3 h | 11-14 h |
| 18-24 months | 1 | 1.5-2.5 h | 11-14 h |
These ranges are indicative: a thriving baby who sleeps a bit less than the chart doesn't have a sleep problem. What matters is the combination of mood + appetite + growth curve, not the cell in the table.
If anything about your child's sleep concerns you (snoring, breathing pauses, unusual fatigue), talk to your pediatrician.
The first weeks: chaos is normal
Before 3 months, baby sleep is not organized: no melatonin, no day/night distinction, short cycles. "Naps" last anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours with no apparent logic. Don't chase a fixed schedule yet: follow wake windows (45-60 minutes at this age) and let the rhythm emerge.
Around 3-4 months, melatonin production kicks in and things start to settle: that's the right time to introduce more regular times.
The 3-to-2 nap transition (7-9 months)
The telltale signs:
- the 3rd nap (late afternoon) becomes hard to fit in or pushes bedtime too late;
- baby refuses a nap several days in a row while staying in a good mood;
- wake windows stretch noticeably (toward 2.5-3 h).
During the transition (usually 2-3 weeks), move bedtime slightly earlier to absorb the accumulated fatigue. "2-nap days" and "3-nap days" may alternate: that's normal.
The 2-to-1 nap transition (13-18 months)
The one parents dread most, and often the longest. The signs:
- the morning nap "eats" the afternoon one;
- or baby plays in the crib instead of sleeping in the morning;
- bedtime becomes a struggle.
The classic strategy: gradually shift the morning nap toward midday (11:30, then 12:00, then 12:30…) until you get a single early-afternoon nap. A temporarily earlier bedtime helps get through it.
Tracking the rhythm without a spreadsheet
Between transitions, good days and off days, it's hard to know whether the morning nap has been off "for three days or a week." That's exactly what a baby log solves.
With Ambrette, built by real parents, every nap is logged in two taps; the app visualizes your baby's actual rhythm, predicts the next nap from their age and history, and shares everything with your co-parent, grandparents or nanny. No data is ever sold.
Read next: Wake windows by age and Starting solids: a simple guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many naps does a 6-month-old need?
At 6 months, most babies take 3 naps a day (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon), for a total of 2 to 4 hours of daytime sleep. The transition to 2 naps usually happens between 7 and 9 months.
When do babies drop to one nap?
The 2-to-1 nap transition most often happens between 13 and 18 months. The signs: the morning nap delays or disrupts the afternoon one, or baby regularly refuses one of the two.
How many hours should a baby sleep in total?
As a guideline: about 14-17 hours per 24h for a newborn, 12-16 hours between 4 and 12 months, 11-14 hours between 1 and 2 years, naps included. Every child has their own needs; if you're concerned, talk to your pediatrician.
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO), Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), Baby Sleep.
