For new parents trying to make sense of the tricky landscape of baby sleep, knowing your 2-month-old's sleep schedule and routine is essential for everyone's health. At this age, your baby's sleep is still forming, but healthy sleep routines established now can be the foundation for improved sleep in the months to come.
How Much Should a 2-Month-Old Sleep?
At 2 months (or 8 weeks), babies typically need 14-17 hours of total sleep over a 24-hour period. This is usually:
● Night sleep: 8-10 hours (with feedings)
● Day sleep: 5-7 hours (spread over a number of naps)
Remember that these are averages, and your baby might need slightly more or slightly less sleep. Most important is observing your baby's cues and ensuring the baby seems well-rested and content when awake.
Sample Sleep Schedule for a 2-Month-Old Baby
The day of a 2-month-old baby is primarily composed of cycles of sleeping, waking, and feeding. During this early stage, it's generally not possible to establish a fixed sleep schedule, and sleep patterns may vary considerably from one baby to another, each following a unique pace. Therefore, consider the sample sleep schedule provided here as a guideline instead of a standard that all babies must follow:
| Time | Activity |
| 7:00 AM | Morning wake-up and feeding |
| 8:30 AM | Nap 1 (1-2 hours) |
| 10:30 AM | Awake time and feeding |
| 12:00 PM | Nap 2 (1-2 hours) |
| 2:00 PM | Awake time and feeding |
| 3:30 PM | Nap 3 (1-2 hours) |
| 5:30 PM | Awake time and feeding |
| 7:00 PM | Nap 4 (shorter, 30-45 minutes) |
| 8:00 PM | Begin bedtime routine |
| 9:00 PM | Bedtime with final feeding |
| Night | Expect 1-3 night feedings |
What Are Wake Windows for a 2-Month-Old?
Wake windows—the time your baby can comfortably stay awake between sleep periods—are typically 45-60 minutes for 2-month-olds. Exceeding these windows often leads to overtiredness, making it harder for your baby to fall asleep.
Watch for sleep cues like:
● Rubbing eyes
● Yawning
● Decreased activity
● Looking away
● Fussiness
When Is Bedtime for an 8-Week-Old Baby?
Most 2-month-olds do well with a bedtime between 8:00-10:00 PM. At this age, babies haven't yet developed their circadian rhythm, so don't expect an early bedtime to work consistently. As they grow, bedtime will gradually shift earlier.
For bedtime success, implement a simple routine:
1. Warm bath
2. Gentle massage with lotion
3. Change into comfortable sleepwear
4. Dim the lights
5. Feed in a quiet environment
6. Gentle rocking or bouncing
How Many Naps Are Best for a 2-Month-Old?
Most 2-month-olds take 4-5 naps per day. These naps are typically short at this age, ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Don't worry if your baby's naps aren't consistent yet—nap consolidation usually happens around 3-4 months.
How Long Should a 2-Month-Old Nap?
While some babies naturally take long naps of 1.5-2 hours, many 2-month-olds are "cat nappers" who sleep for just 30-45 minutes at a time. Short naps are developmentally normal at this age, though they can be frustrating for parents.
If you're struggling with short naps, try:
● Ensuring the sleep environment is dark and quiet
● Using white noise to mask household sounds
● Watching wake windows carefully to prevent overtiredness
Can a 2-Month-Old Sleep Through the Night?
While some parents report their 2-month-old sleeping 8 hours straight, this is not the norm, and most babies this age still need 1-3 night feedings. A 2-month-old sleeping through the night (defined as a 5-6 hour stretch) is considered developmentally appropriate but not expected.
Most pediatricians agree that babies should not go without feeding for more than 5-6 hours until they've at least doubled their birth weight. Always check with your pediatrician before attempting to extend the baby's night sleep.
Can You Sleep-Train a 2-Month-Old?
Traditional sleep training methods are not recommended for 2-month-olds. At this age, babies:
● Need frequent feedings
● Cannot self-soothe effectively
● Require responsive care for proper development
Instead of formal sleep training, focus on these gentle approaches:
1. Establish consistent but flexible routines
2. Practice putting baby down drowsy but awake occasionally
3. Ensure feeding needs are fully met during the day
4. Create a sleep-conducive environment
The foundation you build now will make formal sleep training (if desired) more effective when your baby reaches 4-6 months.
Is There a 2-Month/8-Week Sleep Regression?
While not an "official" recognized regression phase, sleep disruption is noted by numerous parents at approximately 8 weeks. This is most commonly caused by:
● Increased alertness as babies tune into the world and become more aware
● Growth spurts requiring increased feedings
● First developmental milestones creating excitement and stimulation
These are normal and typically resolve within 1-2 weeks as your baby adjusts to their new skills.
Why Is My 2-Month-Old Sleeping So Much?
Occasional increases in sleep are normal and often coincide with growth spurts or developmental leaps. If your 2-month-old is sleeping more than usual but is otherwise healthy—feeding well, having normal diaper output, and alert during awake periods—there's likely no cause for concern.
However, contact your pediatrician if excessive sleepiness is accompanied by:
● Difficulty waking for feedings
● Decreased diaper output
● Lethargy during awake times
● Fever or other signs of illness
How to Get a 2-Month-Old to Sleep Through Night?
While "sleeping through the night" isn't a realistic expectation for most 2-month-olds, you can encourage longer sleep stretches by:
- Establishing day/night differentiation: Keep days bright and active, nights dark and calm
- Filling daytime feeding needs: Ensure baby gets enough calories during the day
- Creating a consistent bedtime routine: Signal to your baby that sleep time is approaching
- Using a sound machine: A good sound machine helps mask household noises that might disturb light infant sleep, with customizable settings to find the perfect sound that soothes your specific baby
- Dressing baby comfortably: Choose a right sleeper with good material (like the Momcozy Baby Pajama)to dress your baby throughout the night, preventing possible discomfort
2-Month-Old Sleep FAQ
Why Does My 2-Month-Old Fight Sleep?
Resistance to sleep at this age typically stems from:
● Overtiredness (watch out for those wake windows!)
● Under- or overstimulation during wake periods
● Discomfort (gas, reflux, temperature)
● Hunger
The fix is figuring out your baby's best wake window and responding to early sleep cues rather than waiting until they're cranky and overtired.
Why Is My 2-Month-Old Taking Short Naps?
It is developmentally normal to be taking short naps at 2 months as sleep cycles are still immature. Most babies don't develop the ability to connect sleep cycles during naps until 3-5 months. Meanwhile, optimize your baby's sleep environment with as little light as possible, a consistent temperature, and soothing white noise from a machine like the Momcozy Sound Machine.
Why Is My 2-Month-Old Baby Sleeping More and Eating Less?
This is a normal pattern and typically indicates a growth spurt or developmental leap. Babies can sleep more during these periods in order to devote their energy to growing. Provided your baby is gaining weight at a normal rate and is content when awake, this is usually normal. Always consult your pediatrician if you are concerned about feedings.
Why Is My 2-Month-Old Not Sleeping During the Day?
Day sleep resistance might occur due to:
● Environmental factors (too bright, loud, or overstimulating)
● Overtiredness, which makes it harder to settle
● Naps not matching wake windows
● Natural variation in sleep needs
Try to create a more consistent pre-nap routine, watch wake windows carefully, and make the sleeping environment sleep-conducive.
What Are Developmental Milestones for a 2-Month-Old?
At 2 months, babies are typically:
● Smiling responsively
● Making cooing sounds
● Beginning to track objects with their eyes
● Holding their head up briefly during tummy time
● Discovering their hands
These exciting developments can temporarily disrupt sleep as your baby processes new skills.
What Are Some 2-Month-Old Baby Activities?
Age-appropriate activities that support development without causing overtiredness include:
● Tummy time (3-5 minutes, several times daily)
● Talking face-to-face
● Reading simple, high-contrast books
● Gentle sensory experiences (soft fabrics, quiet rattles)
● Brief periods in an activity gym
Conclusion
At 2 months, your baby's sleep is still evolving. Prioritize caring in a responsive manner, look out for your baby's unique sleep cues, and have realistic expectations for what "good sleep" looks like at this age. Be aware that consistency, not rigidity, is the main way to help your baby develop healthy sleeping habits.
Creating a calming sleeping atmosphere with aid devices can actually improve sleep quality for your child. These thoughtful products neutralize common sleep disruptors like noise and temperature fluctuations.
Most of all, try to be nice to yourself during this difficult period. The initial sleep challenges will pass, and the routines that you set at this time will help to allow better sleep for your growing baby later on.
