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 as they typically need to eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, on average. 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 10 years, I will also share typical sleep habits and tips to get your baby to sleep through the night. Or, you can simply skip to the schedule if you prefer.
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 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.
Looking for more sample 2-month sleep schedules?
We have over 40 sample schedules for all ages in our e-Book, Mastering Naps and Schedules. Banish naptime battles and regain control of your day (and your sanity) starting today!
You May Also Be Interested In…
- Custom Schedule Maker (for members only)
- Mastering Naps and Schedules (VIP Members Area digital e-Book)
- Chat Live with a Sleep Consultant (for VIP members only)
- 3 Signs It May Be Time for Night Weaning Your Baby
- Night Weaning Quiz: Is Your Baby Ready To Night Wean?
- How To Put Your Baby On A Schedule (VIP Members Area audio course)
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Click here to learn more about how to get your free guide.
A better daytime schedule could be just a few clicks away. So don’t wait – download now, and start your journey to better napping today!
Hi
My 2 month baby is sleeping everytime wakes for feed in 2-3/4/5 hours.is he ill as he is not alert after feeds to play sleeps right after feeding
Hi @Rini –
Thank you for writing to us, and congrats on your new arrival! Not all babies are active and playful after a feed – some have their playtime once they wake up, which is okay! Some babies do sleep a lot at this age, but you’ll want some alert playtime with your little guy too of course! If you’re at all concerned that your baby is not well, however, please go check with the pediatrician. Your doctor will be able to help rule out any illnesses, and help be sure that he is growing and developing well! Good luck Rini!
My two month (8 week old) is only taking short 25 minute naps, but is doing well at night. Any thoughts on this?
Hi Jessie,
Thanks for visiting! Generally, if your baby is happy and isn’t acting overtired, and she’s sleeping roughly 15 hours a day, then she is doing well. Many little ones have very short naps until closer to 4-6 months old, so what you’re describing can be normal. I hope this helps!
So my daughter is two months old and we have gotten into a pretty good routine the evenings are when she gets fussy so I try to give her feedings by then it seems like every two hours she wants me to feed her and I didn’t know if that would not make her feed as as good when 8:30 comes around since that’s her big feeding before bed. We put her down and she’s asleep by 9:30-10:00 on average we’re getting 5-6 hours a stretch of sleep until she wakes up for a feeding. How should I do the feedings once is gets closer to 8:30? Also she does like to nap in the evenings but how close can she nap until her big feeding at 8:30?
Hi @Kristie –
Thank you for writing to us about your 2 month old! It’s definitely common for your bay to be fussy in the evening, and for her to want to feed more often! Cluster feeding may even help her sleep better, since she’ll be eating more overall! If you haven’t yet, you can sign up to receive our free guide written just for families with young infants, “15 Baby Sleep Facts New Parents Need to Know” here:
https://www.babysleepsite.com/15-free-baby-sleep-facts-new-parents-must-know
This should really help!!
We do offer a few more in-depth solutions for parents who need more help too. Our e-book, Essential Keys to Your Newborn’s Sleep, may be a good option for you. In it, we give you a complete toolkit to help your baby establish healthy sleep habits today and throughout the first year.
You can read more about our wonderful newborn options here:
https://www.babysleepsite.com/essential-keys-to-your-newborns-sleep
Thanks again for writing to us Kristie! I hope this helps!
Love this post! How would you again these schedules if you’re doing mostly breastfeeding but supplementing 2-3 meals with formula? Thanks!
Hi Christie,
Thank you for following The Baby Sleep Site – I’m so glad to hear this post was helpful for you! Since we mostly work with sleep, we are not really qualified to answer specific feeding questions, especially since your answer would depend on how much you’re producing, etc., and we want to make sure your little one is getting enough 🙂 You can check in with your pediatrician or lactation consultant, or call a breastfeeding helpline in your area for more support. KellyMom has a great page with helpline resources you can check out here: https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/breastfeeding-helplines/
I hope that helps! Good luck 🙂