3-Month-Old’s Sleep Schedule

Last Updated: 
July 1, 2024
 | 
3
 minutes read
Written by
Mandy Treeby
Chief Baby Sleep Consultant
Medically reviewed by
Elissa Gross, DO
Board Certified Pediatrician & Lactation Consultant

At 3-months-old your baby’s sleep schedule’s starting to take shape. They’re going from a very disorganized schedule to something more predictable. For example, you may notice they’ve been  staying awake longer in the afternoon, or at night.

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This raises a lot of questions, like “What is a 3-month-old’s sleep schedule?” or “How much should my 3-month-old sleep?”

We’re here to help!

A 3-Month-Old Sleep Schedule Example

These are examples of a 3-month sleep and feeding schedules. At this age, babies are still developing their circadian rhythm, so you may not see a consistent sleep pattern just yet. Use this guide to gauge their feeding needs and wake windows for this stage. Your baby’s unique, so instead of focusing on clock time when creating your sleep schedule, focus more on wake windows and sleepy cues.

Wake windows are the amount of time between sleep.

Sleepy cues are the signs your baby’s tired, like yawning or pulling their ears.

You can learn how to do this by  downloading the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ - it guides you step-by-step so you can teach your baby how to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. And right now, 3-months, is the perfect time to start!

Sample Sleep Schedule for 3-Month-Olds with 5 Naps:

3 Month Old Sleep Schedule Example 5 naps

Sample Sleep Schedule for 3-Month-Olds with 4 Naps:

3 Month Old Sleep Schedule Example 4 naps

Can a 3-month-old baby sleep through the night?

No. This is for two reasons:

Their circadian rhythms are still developing, and they don’t fully understand day and night. That will start to take shape around 3 months – the perfect time to start sleep coaching with the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™.

Three-month-olds are growing very fast and wake up often for nourishing meals.

Is there a 3-month-old regression?

While there is no 3-month sleep regression, you may notice your baby’s sleep shifting and becoming more regular. This is because their circadian rhythm is forming and they’re becoming more consistent. That said, there will be a  regression around 4-months.

For more on sleep regressions, please read our article on why they happen and how to handle them.

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Studies show new parents can lose as much as two hours of sleep every night after their baby comes!

“Thanks to the Smart Sleep Schedule, I’ve been able to follow my baby’s natural rhythm, and stick to the wake windows. This makes a huge difference in her ability to nap longer.”

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Tell us a bit about your baby’s sleep and we’ll create your custom plan – for free!
Studies show new parents can lose as much as two hours of sleep every night after their baby comes!
Looking to drop a night feed?

Tell us a bit about your baby’s sleep and we’ll create your custom plan – for free!

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What parents tell us

Thanks to the Smart Sleep Schedule, I’ve been able to follow my baby’s natural rhythm, and stick to the wake windows. This makes a huge difference in her ability to nap longer.

Discover the Smart Sleep Schedule
in this article:

FAQs:

About 15 hours total over a 24-hour period.

About 10-12 hours with sporadic wakeups for feedings and comfort.

About 4-4.5 hours spread over 4-5 naps.

Most 3-month-olds can be awake for an hour or two between sleeps.

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How We Wrote This Article

The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

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