Baby Sleep Schedule Calculator
This calculator provides a general guideline and is not medical advice.
Total Sleep Need Drops Steadily, But Naps Drop Faster
A newborn sleeping 16 hours a day and a preschooler sleeping 11 aren't just following different totals — the shape of that sleep changes too. Newborns spread sleep across many short naps with no real day/night distinction yet; by preschool age, most of that same total consolidates into one nap and a longer overnight stretch. Recommended total sleep by age band gives a useful benchmark for both.
Recommended Sleep by Age
| Age band | Total sleep/day | Typical naps |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0–3 months) | 14–17 hours | 4 naps |
| Infant (4–11 months) | 12–15 hours | 3 naps |
| Toddler (1–2 years) | 11–14 hours | 2 naps |
| Preschooler (3–5 years) | 10–13 hours | 1 nap |
This calculator also splits the average of the recommended range roughly 65% night sleep / 35% nap sleep as a general illustration — actual night/nap balance varies significantly by individual baby and age.
Where This Gets Used
- Building a daily schedule — a starting reference when structuring nap and bedtime routines for a specific age.
- Sleep training preparation — understanding realistic total sleep expectations before adjusting a nap or bedtime schedule.
- Daycare coordination — comparing a daycare's nap schedule against age-appropriate sleep recommendations.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the baby or child's age band.
- Select Calculate to see the recommended total sleep range, typical nap count, and an approximate night/nap split.
Related Calculations
Check feeding frequency alongside sleep patterns with the Breastfeeding Frequency Calculator, or track exact age with the Baby Age in Months Calculator.