Published by Actually Sleeping · Reviewed by Dr. Samantha Abrahamson, PharmD · Review policy · Updated 2026-11-10

What is a good sleep schedule for a 6 month old?

At 6 months most babies take 3 naps, with some starting the move to 2. Wake windows of 2–3 hours are a common rule of thumb, the AASM recommends 12–16 hours of sleep in 24, and bedtime usually falls between 7 and 8 p.m. with 11–12 hours overnight.

What is typical at 6 months

Measure	Typical range
Total sleep per 24 hours	12–16 hours (AASM, ages 4–12 months)
What studies of healthy babies found	Average 12.9 hours from 6 months; babies 6–11 months averaged 2.2 naps a day, from about 1 to 3.5 (Galland 2012)
Night sleep (common practice range)	11–12 hours
Naps (common practice range)	3 (some days 2), totalling about 3–3.5 hours
Wake windows (rule of thumb, not a research finding)	2–3 hours; shorter in the morning, longer before bed
Night feeds	Commonly 0–1 a night; some babies still have 2. Whether to keep, reduce or drop night feeds is your pediatrician’s decision.

Rows marked AASM are the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendation, which the AAP supports. Rows marked Galland 2012 come from a systematic review of observational studies. The other rows are common practice ranges, not research findings. They describe an average baby; healthy babies sit on both sides of every one of them.

By 6 months the longest stretch of sleep typically lengthens to around 6 hours. So when a 6 month old still wakes every 2 hours on a textbook schedule, the schedule is rarely the problem; how the baby falls asleep usually is. That is what Actually Sleeping changes, with a plan Dr. Sam writes for your baby and bootcamp-style coaching before night one.

What is changing developmentally

Sitting, rolling freely and reaching for everything. The third nap begins to be resisted on some days, the first sign of the 3-to-2 transition. Breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition; the AAP says a baby’s digestive system is not thought to be ready for cereal until about 6 months. In one large UK trial, babies given solids early (on average at about 16 weeks) slept about 17 minutes longer a night at 6 months: a small difference, and not a reason to start early without your pediatrician’s advice.

Why the average 6-month schedule often does not fit

Waking every 2 hours: see why a 6 month old wakes every 2 hours.
Third nap refused: some days need 3 naps and some 2, so no single timetable fits the whole week. See nap transitions.
Feeding to sleep at every waking: see the feed-to-sleep association.
5 a.m. starts: see early morning waking.

Two babies on the same schedule can have opposite problems. Working out which one you have is the first thing a custom plan does.

Safe sleep at 6 months

Back to sleep for every sleep until the first birthday, on a firm, flat, empty surface. The AAP recommends room-sharing for at least the first 6 months.
Lower the mattress before your baby can sit unassisted, and to the lowest setting before standing (MedlinePlus).

Is this age right for sleep training?

Yes, for most healthy babies, and 6 months is one of the most common ages families start. Ask your pediatrician whether your baby still needs a night feed; a Actually Sleeping plan can keep a feed and still teach independent sleep, with daily 1:1 check-ins until naps are solid too. We guarantee that your baby will sleep 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days of consistent, correct implementation of your sleep plan. See what other parents of 4 to 6 month olds say on our reviews page, read the best age to sleep train, and book a free consultation with Dr. Sam.

Want this fixed for your baby?

Actually Sleeping is 1:1 coaching: a sleep plan written for your baby by Dr. Sam, bootcamp-style coaching before the first night, and daily check-ins until it is working. 700+ families coached, 129 video reviews, and a written guarantee: 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days, or a full refund.

Book your free consultation → See what families say

Frequently asked

Should a 6 month old have 2 or 3 naps?

Most still take 3, as a common pattern, and studies found babies 6 to 11 months averaged about 2 naps a day. When your baby is ready for 2 depends on nap length and bedtime, which Dr. Sam tracks with you in daily check-ins.

Do solids help a 6 month old sleep through the night?

Not in any way that matters much. In one large trial, earlier solids were linked to about 17 more minutes of sleep a night at 6 months. Milk remains the main nutrition. Follow your pediatrician on when and how to begin.

How long should a 6 month old sleep at night?

About 11–12 hours is a common practice range. The AASM recommends 12–16 hours in 24 including naps. Whether the night includes a feed is individual and a question for your pediatrician.

What time is bedtime for a 6 month old?

As a common rule of thumb, between 7 and 8 p.m. The right bedtime for your baby moves with naps and the nap transition, so a Actually Sleeping plan sets it for your baby and adjusts it as you go.