Newborns sleep a lot, around 18 hours a day in short stretches, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), and settle into longer nights over the first year. A simple bedtime routine, such as a bath, a clean diaper and nightclothes, a story, dim lights and a cuddle, helps your baby learn that night is for sleeping.
This guide covers how much sleep babies and toddlers need at each age, how to build a bedtime routine, how to teach day from night, and where your baby should sleep. Every baby is different, so use the hours as a rough guide, not a target. If you are worried about your baby’s sleep, talk to your clinic.
How much sleep does a baby need at each age?
Sleep needs drop slowly from birth to school age. The NHS gives these figures:
| Age | Sleep (NHS figures) |
|---|---|
| Newborn | Total daily sleep varies, but can be around 18 hours |
| 3 to 6 months | Some babies sleep 5 to 8 hours at night, as they need fewer night feeds |
| 6 to 12 months | Some babies sleep around 15 hours, most of it at night |
| After the first birthday | Around 12 to 15 hours in total |
| 2 years | Most need about 12 to 14 hours, including naps |
| 3 to 5 years | Most need about 12 hours |
How do you start a bedtime routine?
Do the same calm steps in the same order at the same time every evening. The NHS suggests a routine like this:
- A bath.
- A clean diaper and fresh nightclothes.
- Into bed.
- A story.
- Dim the lights.
- A goodnight kiss and cuddle.
- A lullaby or gentle music.
Keep it short and simple, so anyone at home, a grandparent or a nanny, can follow it too. For bath time, a hooded baby towel keeps your baby warm while you dry and dress them.
How do you teach your baby the difference between day and night?
Make daytime bright and busy and night-time dark and quiet. The NHS suggests opening the curtains and playing during the day, and at night keeping the lights low, talking quietly, and feeding and changing your baby only as needed, without play.
Babies wake at night, especially in the early months, and that is normal. Keep night feeds calm and quiet so your baby settles back more easily.
Where should your baby sleep?
For at least the first 6 months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, for naps and at night. The NHS says this can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Put your baby down on their back, in their own cot, co-sleeper or bassinet, with a firm, flat mattress. Keep the cot clear of pillows, bumpers, loose blankets and soft toys. Our guide to baby cots covers sizes, and you can compare bassinets and co-sleepers that fit beside your bed.
How do you set up a calm sleep space?
Keep the sleep space dark, quiet and not too warm. These small changes help many babies settle:
- Curtains that keep out street lights and early sun.
- A soft lamp for night feeds, away from the cot.
- Light layers for your baby; our guide to baby rompers explains how to dress for sleep.
- A baby monitor for naps once your baby is older and sleeps in their own room.
When should you talk to your clinic about sleep?
Talk to your clinic if your baby snores loudly or seems to pause in their breathing, is very hard to wake, is not feeding well, or if poor sleep is wearing you down. Tiredness is hard on parents, so ask family for help and rest when your baby sleeps if you can.
Where can you buy cots and sleep essentials in Nairobi?
You can see our cots, co-sleepers and monitors at Zawadi Baby Shop, Shop F12, IBEA Building, Moi Avenue, Nairobi. We are open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 7pm, and Sunday 11am to 6pm. Call or WhatsApp 0706 561 855 before you visit.
You can also order online, pay with Lipa na M-Pesa, and we deliver across Kenya. Browse our full nursery range.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should a newborn sleep?
The UK National Health Service says a newborn’s total daily sleep varies, but can be around 18 hours, in short stretches through the day and night. Every baby is different, so use this as a rough guide.
When do babies start sleeping through the night?
According to the UK National Health Service, some babies sleep 5 to 8 hours at night by 3 to 6 months, as they need fewer night feeds. Many still wake at night after that, and that is normal.
What is a good bedtime routine for a baby?
A bath, a clean diaper and fresh nightclothes, into bed, a story, dim lights, a goodnight cuddle and a lullaby. Do the same calm steps in the same order at the same time each evening.
Should my baby sleep in my room?
Yes. The UK National Health Service advises that for at least the first 6 months your baby sleeps in the same room as you, for naps and at night, in their own cot or basket, on their back.
How much sleep does a 2 year old need?
The UK National Health Service says most 2 year olds need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep, including naps. By 3 to 5 years, most children need about 12 hours.
