10 Month Old Schedule

10 Month Old Sleep Schedule: Wake Windows, Naps & Night Sleep

Written by:
Amanda Snedden
Amanda Snedden
Specialist in Pediatric Sleep Patterns
Reviewed by:
Nicky Barker
Nicky Barker
Pediatric Sleep Science Expert

At 10 months old, your baby is becoming increasingly active, curious and determined. Many babies are now crawling confidently, pulling to stand, cruising and exploring their environment with much more independence. Alongside these exciting milestones, sleep can sometimes feel a little unsettled again.

While your baby’s sleep biology is now quite mature, this stage often brings developmental disruptions, separation awareness and increased stimulation during the day. These can all impact naps and night sleep if your baby’s schedule is not quite aligned.

The good news is that most 10 month olds are capable of very predictable, consolidated sleep when following a well balanced 10 month old sleep schedule.

For a full breakdown of baby sleep schedules by age, see our complete Baby Sleep Schedule Guide.

10 Month Old Sleep Schedule Guidelines

At 10 months of age, most babies need around 13.5 to 14 hours of total sleep in a 24 hour period. This usually includes 11 to 12 hours overnight and 2 to 2.5 hours of daytime sleep across 2 naps.

Wake windows are now longer and more stable than earlier months, but still need to be carefully balanced. At this age, even small timing mismatches can lead to short naps, nap refusal or night waking. Your baby should now be well established on a two nap schedule and this structure becomes key to supporting consistent, restorative sleep.

If you would like to explore one solution that does it all for you, our Little Ones® Smart Sleep App contains the perfect schedule for your 10 month old, automatically adjusting as they grow and their needs change. It gives you the full picture, including naps, feeds, development all in one place.

In This Article:

  1. Wake windows for a 10 month old
  2. How many naps a 10 month old needs
  3. Sample 10 month old sleep schedule
  4. Night sleep for a 10 month old
  5. How to improve naps and night sleep
  6. When bedtime should be
  7. Why your 10 month old is fighting sleep
  8. Tips for smoother sleep
  9. Key Takeaways: 10 Month Old Sleep Schedule

You’re not alone - sleep can be tricky at this age.
Our smart sleep app makes it easier - building healthy, lasting sleep habits, helping your little one sail through regressions and giving you the tools to work toward calm, consistent sleep.
Discover Sleep

Wake Windows for a 10 Month Old

At 10 months, wake windows are longer and more predictable, but still vary slightly across the day.

If wake windows are too short, your baby may resist naps or take short naps. If they are too long, overtiredness can build quickly, leading to difficult bedtimes, night waking or early rising.

At this age, overtiredness often looks like:

  • Hyperactivity
  • Pulling up or standing in the cot
  • Increased babbling or restlessness

Because sleep cues can become less obvious, watching the clock becomes just as important as watching your baby.

Generic schedules often fall short here. That is where our smart sleep app becomes really powerful - it adjusts wake windows based on your baby’s sleep patterns as you track them in real-time, helping you avoid guesswork completely.

How Many Naps Should a 10 Month Old Have?

Most 10 month olds need 2 naps per day, totaling around 2 to 2.5 hours of daytime sleep. The ideal structure is: A shorter morning nap then a longer lunchtime nap.

This short-long structure helps build the right amount of sleep pressure across the day, supporting better night sleep and reducing early waking.

If naps are too long or poorly timed, it can reduce sleep pressure and lead to night disruptions.

Sample 10 Month Old Sleep Schedule

Here is an example of a balanced 10 month old sleep schedule:

7:00 am, Wake for the day

9:30 am, Nap 1

12:30 pm, Nap 2

6:45 pm, Bedtime

This will vary depending on your baby’s wake time and nap lengths, but the overall rhythm is key.

Night Sleep for a 10 Month Old

By 10 months, most babies are capable of sleeping through the night without feeding.

Some babies may still wake occasionally, but often resettle quickly if their schedule is well balanced and they have strong sleep foundations.

Frequent night waking at this age is usually linked to:

How Can I Improve My Baby’s Naps and Night Sleep?

If sleep has become unsettled, small adjustments can make a big difference.

Focus on:

  • Age appropriate wake windows
  • Consistent nap structure
  • Balanced daytime sleep
  • Calm, predictable bedtime routine

Encouraging your baby to fall asleep independently helps them connect sleep cycles and resettle overnight.

If nights are disrupted or mornings are early, consider:

  1. Slightly adjusting nap timing
  2. Reducing daytime sleep
  3. Bringing bedtime earlier

Our sleep app is powered by what we call 'Sleep o Rhythm' - it's an adaptive sleep system that constantly adjusts your baby's daily sleep schedule based on their real tracked data. This is a game-changer for ensuring your little one's wake windows, nap structure and sleep balance are all aligned for great night sleep.

When is Bedtime for a 10 Month Old?

A bedtime between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm is usually ideal.

Later bedtimes often lead to overtiredness, which can increase night waking rather than prevent it.

A consistent bedtime routine of around 20 to 30 minutes helps prepare your baby for sleep.

This might include:

♡ Bath
♡ Pyjamas
♡ Milk feed
♡ Book
♡ Song
♡ Into bed awake

Putting your baby down awake supports independent settling, which becomes especially important at this age.

Why is My 10 Month Old Fighting Sleep?

It is very common for 10 month olds to resist sleep, even if they were previously good sleepers.

Common reasons include:

Developmental changes
Your baby is practising new skills like standing, cruising and exploring. Their brain is highly active, even at sleep times.

Separation awareness
Your baby is more aware of you leaving, which can lead to separation anxiety and protest at naps or bedtime.

Schedule issues
Wake windows that are slightly off can quickly lead to overtiredness or under tiredness.

The 8 to 10 month regression
This period can bring temporary disruptions, especially if routines are inconsistent.

Tips for Smoother 10 Month Old Sleep

  • Protect the two nap structure
  • Keep wake windows consistent
  • Aim for an early bedtime
  • Keep the sleep environment dark and calm
  • Avoid stimulating play before bed
  • Encourage independent settling
  • Stay consistent, even during regressions

At this stage, your baby’s brain is working hard. A predictable sleep rhythm helps them process everything they are learning.

Key Takeaways for a 10 Month Old Sleep Schedule

Component Recommendation
Total sleep 13.5 to 14 hours per day
Naps 2 naps
Wake windows Variable throughout the day (sometimes a bit hard to get right)
Nap duration 30 minutes to 2 hours
Bedtime 6:30 to 7:00 pm
Night feeds Usually no longer needed
Routine Consistent and calming

 

Conclusion

At 10 months, sleep can feel a little unpredictable again, but it is usually not permanent. Most disruptions at this age are linked to development or small schedule mismatches rather than long term sleep issues.

By focusing on wake windows, protecting naps and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, most babies return to settled, restorative sleep.

Every baby is different, but when their schedule aligns with their developmental stage, sleep becomes much more predictable for the whole family.

Our trusted methods have helped over 800,000 families build strong sleep foundations. You can instantly access our Smart Sleep App to discover customised schedules, expert guidance and ongoing support at every stage.

If your baby is closer to 9 months, see our 9 Month Old Sleep Schedule. As they approach the next stage, our 11 Month Old Sleep Schedule will guide you through what comes next.

 

Bibliography

Sleep patterns and needs in older infants are influenced by neurological development, circadian rhythm maturation and environmental factors such as routines and sleep associations. The following sources support the recommendations and guidance provided in this article.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Sleep: What every parent needs to know.

Mindell, J. A., & Owens, J. A. (2022). A clinical guide to pediatric sleep: Diagnosis and management of sleep problems.

Mindell, J. A., Leichman, E. S., DuMond, C., & Sadeh, A. (2017). Sleep and social-emotional development in infants and toddlers. Pediatrics.

National Health Service (NHS). (2023). Your baby’s sleep.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/helping-your-baby-to-sleep/

Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. (2023). Sleep, babies 6 to 12 months.

World Health Organization. (2020). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age.

Galland, B. C., Taylor, B. J., Elder, D. E., & Herbison, P. (2012). Normal sleep patterns in infants and children. Sleep Medicine Reviews.

See all articles in Sleep Blog

Take our FREE Baby Sleep Quiz

In a few minutes discover what is causing your little one's sleep challenges. You'll get detailed answers and a clear plan which you can implement right away.