Sleep & Feeding by Age

Two questions arrive with every new baby: are they sleeping enough, and are they eating enough? The honest answer is a range, not a number, and the range changes every few months. Here are the published ranges, by age.

How it works

Sleep hours come from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine consensus, which the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses; they are totals over 24 hours including naps. Formula amounts follow NHS and AAP guidance: about 150 ml per kilogram of body weight a day in the early months, spread over feeds that get bigger and fewer as your baby grows. Breastfed babies feed on demand, usually 8 to 12 times a day at first, and solids start around 6 months.

Questions parents ask

My baby sleeps less than the range. Is something wrong?

Ranges are wide on purpose. A baby who is settled, feeding well and gaining weight is usually getting what they need. Persistent difficulty settling, loud snoring or pauses in breathing are worth raising with your doctor.

How do I know my formula-fed baby is getting enough?

Steady weight gain on their growth curve, 6 or more wet nappies a day after the first week, and a baby who seems satisfied after feeds. Never force a bottle to be finished.

When do babies drop naps?

Most go from three naps to two between 6 and 9 months, to one nap between 12 and 18 months, and give up the last nap between 3 and 5 years.

Sources

Bheeli offers general guidance, not medical advice.