2 month old babies need an average of 14-16 hours of sleep a day. Newborns this age generally sleep 9-12 hours at night though not consecutively. During the day, babies at 2 months old will need to sleep 4-6 hours total. This article outlines the average 2-month-old baby schedule, including milk feedings for breastfeeding and formula-feeding babies, solids, naps, and nighttime sleep. As a sleep consultant for over 15 years, I will also share typical sleep habits and tips to get your baby to sleep through the night.
In this article:
- 2 Month Old Development
- How Many Naps for a 2 Month Old?
- Feeding a 2 Month Old
- Sample 2 Month Old Baby Schedules
2 Month Old Baby Sleep and Development
At 2 months, your baby is moving past the newborn stage but is still considered a newborn. Your baby is likely extending their wake windows and staying awake longer during the day. They might also be starting to smile more at you and show some personality. It’s such a wonderful time of development!
By 2 months old, your baby’s sleep is likely still a bit erratic as sleep begins to organize. Your baby may sleep in longer stretches at night within the next few weeks, and be awake more during the day. It may take some time to get there, so if your 2-month-old is still very sleepy, that’s normal!
Most 2-month-olds sleep 9-12 hours at night and 4-6 hours during the day broken into several naps. Many 2-month-olds are still eating several times a night or about every 3 hours. Bedtimes aren’t always very early at this age given babies aren’t yet sleeping 11-12 hours, yet, as they will at 4 months old. As your baby grows and matures, he or she will consolidate sleep and transition to just 3 naps by 5-6 months old.
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How Many Naps for a 2 Month Old?
Most 2 month old babies take 4 to 5 naps each day that total 4 to 6 hours of sleep. They take so many naps because babies this age stay awake just 1 to 1 1/2 hours at a time. There are a few babies who organize their sleep earlier and will gravitate toward a 4-nap schedule similar to a 4 month old schedule. However, if your baby doesn’t and is taking short naps, this is considered normal. Since they can’t stay awake very long during the day, they often “spread” their total daytime sleep across the day.
2 Month Old Baby Feeding
Your baby will likely also start to consolidate feedings beginning around 2 months old, especially if formula-fed. Your baby’s stomach capacity is getting bigger, so your 2-month-old baby will begin to be able to go for longer stretches between night feedings. Do remember, though, that if you are breastfeeding, you’ll want to continue to breastfeed at least every few hours during the day, and your baby will continue to need night feedings at this age, which also maintains your milk supply.
Most babies this age will eat every 3-4 hours during the day.
If your baby is still waking frequently at 2 months old, you may start to wonder about introducing solid food, in order to help your baby sleep. However, keep in mind that starting solids doesn’t usually improve sleep, and 2 months old is still considered too young to begin solid food. It’s best to stick exclusively with breastmilk or formula unless your healthcare provider indicates you should do otherwise.
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Sample 2 Month Old Baby Sleep and Feeding Schedules
Putting it all together, all babies are unique, but here are sample schedules you can use to make your own for your unique baby.
Breastfeeding 2 Month Old Baby Schedule (or Babies with small, frequent feedings such as babies with reflux)
This first sample schedule is primarily for breastfed babies (or formula-fed babies who have reflux or similar) who eat more frequently during the day. These babies often do better eating before their naps so they will sleep longer at nap time. This is NOT an Eat-Play-Sleep, schedule, though. See below for Eat-Play-Sleep.
| 2 Month Old Sleep Schedule With Feedings | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 7:00 AM | Wake and Feed (*Fixed Point) |
| 8:30 AM | Morning Nap (*Fixed Point) |
| 9:00 AM | Feed (upon waking; no need to wake baby up!) |
| 11:00 AM | Late Morning Nap |
| 11:30 AM | Feed (upon waking or before the nap if the first nap was longer) |
| 1:30 PM | Feed and Early Afternoon Nap |
| 4:00 PM | Feed and Catnap (30-45 minutes; can be “on the go”) |
| 6:00 PM | Feed and Catnap (30-45 minutes; can be “on the go”) |
| 8:00 PM | Feed and Catnap (30-45 minutes; can be “on the go”) |
| 9:30 PM | Begin your bedtime routine |
| 10:00 PM | Feed and Bedtime (goal to be asleep by this time) |
+ 2-3 night feedings
* We recommend you make these fixed points in your baby’s schedule. You can read more about this in our article on fixed points in a baby schedule.
Formula-Fed 2 Month Old Baby Schedule (or Breastfed babies who can go longer between feedings)
This second sample schedule is for babies who can go longer between feedings and can follow an Eat-Play-Sleep Scheudle.
| 2 Month Old Sleep Schedule With Feedings | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 7:00 AM | Wake and Feed (*Fixed Point) |
| 8:30 AM | Morning Nap (*Fixed Point) |
| 10:00 AM | Feed |
| 11:30 AM | Late Morning Nap |
| 1:00 PM | Feed |
| 2:00 PM | Early Afternoon Nap |
| 4:00 PM | Feed |
| 4:30 PM | Catnap (30-45 minutes; can be “on the go”) |
| 7:00 PM | Feed |
| 8:00 PM | Catnap (30-45 minutes; can be “on the go”) |
| 9:30 PM | Begin your bedtime routine |
| 10:00 PM | Feed and Bedtime (goal to be asleep by this time) |
+ 2-3 night feedings
* We recommend you make these fixed points in your baby’s schedule. You can read more about this in our article on fixed points in a baby schedule.
Note: This schedule follows the eat-play-sleep routine, however, it is sometimes hard to do at this age when the amount of time between naps is not long enough and your baby wakes too early from his nap because of a feeding.
If your baby has already lengthened their nighttime sleep, please consider using one of our 3 month old schedules.
You May Also Be Interested In…
- 3 Signs It May Be Time for Night Weaning Your Baby
- Night Weaning Quiz: Is Your Baby Ready to Night Wean?
- How to Put Baby on an Eat-Play-Sleep Schedule
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Related posts:
6 Month Old Baby Feeding and Sleep Schedules: Samples for Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding Babies
3 Month Old Baby Sleep Schedules With Feedings: For Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding Infants
11 Month Old Baby Feeding and Sleep Schedule With Milk, Solid Food, Naps, and Nighttime Sleep – For Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding Infants
8 Month Old Baby Feeding and Sleep Schedule: With Milk, Solid Food, Naps, and Nighttime Sleep – For Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding Babies
