2 month old baby sleeping with sleep schedule

2 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 2 months old, many parents start searching for a 2 month old sleep schedule as their baby's sleep begins to change from the unpredictable newborn stage. Wake windows lengthen, naps start to follow a more consistent rhythm, and babies gradually begin developing clearer day and night sleep patterns.

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

2 Month Old Sleep Schedule Guidelines

At 2 months old most babies sleep 14–17 hours in 24 hours.

Daytime sleep is usually 4–5 hours, spread across 3–4 naps, with around 10–12 hours overnight sleep including feeds.

Wake windows are still relatively short at this age, but they will gradually increase each week as your baby approaches 3 months.

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Wake Windows for a 2 Month Old

One of the most important parts of a 2 month old sleep schedule is understanding wake windows.

A 2 month old wake window changes rapidly between 8 and 12 weeks, so understanding the right awake time for your baby is important to prevent overtiredness.

Wake windows that are too long can cause your baby to become overtired, which often leads to: 

  • short naps
  • difficulty settling
  • frequent night waking

Wake windows that are too short may mean your baby does not have enough sleep pressure to fall asleep easily, which can lead to:

  • short naps
  • difficulty settling
  • frequent night waking

Because babies develop quickly during this stage, wake windows will increase over the course of the month. If you'd like to learn more, our article on Overtiredness vs Undertireness explains this in more detail. 

The perfect wake window changes weekly (it's incredible, I know) - our Newborn Sleep Program handles that complexity so you don’t have to ever guess. With lifetime access and gentle methods, parents see huge improvements fast to settling, naps and night sleep.

How Many Naps Should a 2 Month Old Have?

Most babies at 2 months old will take 3–4 naps across the day.

A common nap structure at this age is:

Short morning nap
Long lunchtime nap
Short afternoon nap

Many babies will naturally take their longest nap in the middle of the day, while the naps earlier and later in the day tend to be shorter.

This nap structure helps regulate your baby’s developing circadian rhythm and supports more settled night sleep.

What is a Sample 2 Month Nap Schedule?

Below shows what a gentle 2 month old sleep schedule might look like.

NOTE: Overnight sleep often includes feeds at this age.

  • Morning wake (around 7am)
  • Wake window
  • Morning nap
  • Wake window
  • Long lunchtime nap (aim for 2 hours)
  • Wake window
  • Afternoon nap
  • Wake window
  • Bedtime (ideally 7pm)

Every baby is different, so schedules should remain flexible during this stage while sleep patterns continue developing.

How Much Sleep Does a 2 Month Old Need?

Most 2 month old babies need around 14–17 hours of sleep within a 24 hour period.

This usually includes:

3–5 hours of daytime sleep
10–12 hours overnight (with feeds)

At this stage, babies are still developing their circadian rhythm and sleep cycles are relatively short. Because of this, it is normal for naps to vary in length and for babies to wake overnight for feeding.

Night Sleep for a 2 Month Old

Night waking is completely normal for a 2 month old baby.

Many babies will wake 1–3 times overnight for feeds, although some may wake more frequently.

As your baby’s sleep continues to mature, the first stretch of night sleep often becomes longer.

Ensuring your baby has balanced daytime naps and age-appropriate wake windows can help support more settled overnight sleep.

If your baby is waking frequently overnight, you may also find our guide on Night Waking Causes and Expectations by Age helpful.

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

Sleep is just as important for babies as nutrition. Healthy sleep supports brain development, growth and emotional regulation.

Following a 2 month old sleep schedule that supports your baby's natural sleep needs can make naps and night sleep easier to manage.

Small adjustments such as balancing daytime naps, using age-appropriate wake windows and maintaining a consistent sleep environment can significantly improve sleep quality.

When is Bedtime for a 2 Month Old?

Most babies at this age benefit from a bedtime around 7pm, depending on when their final nap finishes.

A consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that night sleep is approaching.

This routine does not need to be complicated and might include:

• a bath
• a feed
• dim lighting
• quiet cuddles or a short story

Keeping bedtime calm and predictable helps babies settle more easily.

Tips for Smoother 2 Month Old Sleep

Follow age-appropriate wake windows to prevent overtiredness.

Keep naps balanced across the day so your baby receives enough daytime sleep without affecting night sleep.

Use a consistent wind-down routine before naps and bedtime to help your baby recognise sleep cues.

Create a sleep-friendly environment with a dark room and white noise to minimise stimulation.

Keep night interactions calm and quiet so your baby learns the difference between day and night sleep.

Key Takeaways: 2 Month Old Sleep Schedule

• Total sleep: 14–17 hours in 24 hours
• Daytime naps: 3–4 per day
• Wake windows: 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes
• Night sleep: 10–12 hours overnight with feeds

This 2 month old sleep schedule offers a helpful guide for sleep timing while allowing flexibility for your baby’s individual needs.

Conclusion

At two months old, your baby is beginning the gradual transition from the unpredictable newborn stage toward a more recognisable daily sleep rhythm.

While sleep can still vary from day to day, following age-appropriate wake windows, balanced naps and a consistent bedtime routine can help support more settled sleep.

With patience and gentle structure, many babies begin developing longer stretches of sleep and more predictable patterns during this stage.

If your baby is younger, you may want to read our 1 Month Old Sleep Schedule. As your baby approaches the next stage, see our 3 Month Old Sleep Schedule for what to expect next.

Our responsive sleep methods have helped over 800,000 parents and babies build healthy sleep rhythms that support better naps and more settled nights. You can access these award-winning methods in our Newborn Sleep Program.

FAQs About 2 Month Old Sleep Schedule

How long should a 2 month old nap?

Most 2 month old babies nap between 45 minutes and 2 hours. It is common for the longest nap to occur around the middle of the day, with shorter naps earlier and later in the day.


How many naps should a 2 month old have?

Most babies at this age take 3, sometimes 4 naps per day, depending on their wake windows and total daytime sleep needs.


What wake windows should a 2 month old have?

Typical 2 month old wake windows are 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Some babies may gradually stretch closer to 1 hour 45 minutes as they approach 3 months.


Can a 2 month old sleep through the night?

Some babies can sleep a long stretch during the night, but most 2 month old babies still wake for feeds during the night.

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    Bibliography

    Mindell, J. A., & Owens, J. A. (2015). A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep: Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Problems. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

    American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Safe Sleep Recommendations.

    Galland, B. C., Taylor, B. J., Elder, D. E., & Herbison, P. (2012). Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: A systematic review of observational studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(3), 213–222.

    Henderson, J. M. T., France, K. G., Owens, J. L., & Blampied, N. M. (2010). Sleeping through the night: The consolidation of self-regulated sleep across the first year of life. Pediatrics, 126(5), e1081–e1087.

    Teti, D. M., Kim, B. R., Mayer, G., & Countermine, M. (2010). Maternal emotional availability at bedtime predicts infant sleep qualityJournal of Family Psychology, 24(3), 307–315.

    World Health Organization (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age.

    Weissbluth, M. (2021). Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Ballantine Books.

     

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