Are you hoping to establish a more reliable routine with your new baby? Let’s talk about a 2-month-old sleep schedule for your growing newborn!
The first eight weeks with my newborn daughter at home were all a blur. I remember cuddles, milky smiles, and binge-watching shows as we alternated between nursing and snoozing (and so, so many diapers!).
As new parents, I also remember feeling exhausted—not only physically, but mentally.
Days and nights were mixed up as my baby developed her circadian rhythm, and it felt like I was trying to crack some sort of code that first month to help things feel more predictable for all of us.
We were also battling our baby’s witching hour in the early evenings, which was taking an emotional toll on all of us at the end of what felt like very long days.
Thankfully around 2 months of age, our daughter’s awake time extended a bit and she began to last a little longer between feedings. This translated to longer naps during the day.
And at night, that meant longer stretches of night sleep for all of us which was exactly what my husband and I needed!
While the 2-month-old sleep schedule can still be unpredictable, the growth and development of your baby allows for a little more rest for everyone. Let’s talk about how you can establish a baby sleep schedule for your 2-month old!
Need Help Getting Your Newborn to Sleep?
Have a new baby or expecting one soon? Check out my Newborn Sleep Program. This online resource contains 8 short videos and 25 cheat sheets with newborn sleep tips and tricks to get your new baby sleeping well.
It’s too early to start sleep training your baby, but I’ll walk you through my sleep shaping process so you can start to create healthy sleep habits that will last! Check it out here.
How Long Can a 2-Month-Old Stay Awake?
During the first couple months with your newborn, it probably feels like they are falling asleep constantly—and they are!
Newborns typically only stay awake long enough for a diaper change and a feeding. Even then, they might start to doze off while they nurse or bottle feed.
A newborn’s wake windows are so tiny and in those first 7 weeks or so, you’re looking at awake times of 45 minutes maximum. You can see the progression of a newborn sleep schedule here, including a 1-month old sleep schedule.
But by the time your baby reaches 2 months old, they’ll probably be ready to transition to slightly longer awake times.
The wake window for a 2-month-old is usually around 60 minutes. That leaves a little more time for them to kick the wiggles out, and even some smiling and cooing practice, too!
2-Month-Old Wake Windows
I talk about baby wake windows a lot in my business, because they’re so helpful! Wake windows are how long your baby can stay awake between sleeps, based on your baby’s age and development.
I’m a firm believer that understanding your baby’s wake windows can be a game-changer when it comes to bedtime battles and everyone getting the sleep they need.
Keep in mind that wake windows change a lot in the first 6 months of a baby’s life.
Something else that changes is the definition of what constitutes a wake window. Up until your baby is about 12 weeks old, their wake window begins from the time they open their eyes after a sleep.
The 2-month-old wake window lasts from the time they open their eyes until they close them again for a nap or bedtime.
But once your baby is about 3 months old, their wake window begins at the time that you pick them up from their crib (even if they’ve been laying there awake for a little while).
How Long Should a 2-Month-Old Sleep During the Day?
When your baby is around 8 weeks old, they usually need about 6-7 hours of sleep during the day, with about 12 hours of nighttime sleep. (Although don’t think that night time sleep is uninterrupted!).
At this age, some babies are capable of making it up to 2.5 to 3 hours between feedings, which increases the potential for longer stretches of sleep. Thank goodness!
This is especially true if your baby can take a full feed and stay awake during the feeding.
Your baby’s sleep is still very sporadic. Newborn babies may take multiple shorter naps, or be able to do long naps.
Don’t be afraid to extend a nap by putting your baby in a carrier or soaking up those newborn snuggles if it helps your baby fall back asleep!
And make sure you’ve optimized their sleeping environment with a white noise sound machine (this one is my ultimate favorite!) if you’re practicing daytime naps in a crib or bassinet.
What Time Should a 2-Month-Old Go to Bed?
An optimal 2-month-old sleep schedule includes a consistent bed time each night. I know that at this age, all of your baby’s sleeps feel like naps, but trust me when I tell you that having a reliable and consistent routine will serve you well in the future!
You can start establishing good sleep habits in a low-pressure way even with newborn babies and a bedtime routine is a great start!
The sooner you start to establish a consistent bedtime routine, the sooner your baby will learn to rely on these sleep associations to signal when it’s time to fall asleep.
Around 2 months of life, your baby may start to sleep longer stretches at night and bedtime can start being moved up. It can help to start having bedtime be around the same time of day each day.
I recommend setting a bed time that is about 12 hours before the time your baby typically wakes up to start their morning. If your 2-month-old starts their day around 7:00 am, aim for bed time around 7:00 pm.
Around this age, your baby may have worked out their day and night confusion as well, meaning long stretches of sleep could be in everyone’s future!
2-Month-Old Sleep and Feeding Schedule
This 2-month-old sample schedule assumes that your baby is able to do 1-hour wake times, 1-2 hour naps, and go 3 hours in between feeds.
Some babies will need to eat sooner, so make sure you’re paying attention to your baby’s hunger cues. Always feed a hungry baby!
Similarly, nap time may not look so long and glorious for your newborn. The most important thing regarding naps this early on is to avoid an overtired baby.
Sleep begets sleep, especially those first weeks and a lack of day sleep can lead to sleepless nights. It’s okay if all naps aren’t in a crib or bassinet at this point!
Sample 2-Month-Old Schedule:
7:00 am: Wake and nurse or bottle
8:00 to 9:30 am: Nap
9:30 am: Nurse or bottle
10:30 pm to 11:30 am: Nap
12:00 pm: Nurse or bottle
12:30 to 2:00 pm: Nap
2:00 pm: Nurse or bottle
3:00 to 5:00 pm: Nap
5:00: Nurse or bottle
6:00 to 7:00 pm: Nap
7:30: Baby’s bedtime routine + nurse or bottle
8:00 pm: Bedtime
Night feeds as needed.
My blog is full of things to help you celebrate motherhood including baby nursery ideas, sleep schedules and sleep tips, fun printables, baby registry must-haves, and so much more.
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