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

What is a good sleep schedule for a 9 month old?

At 9 months babies take 2 naps and, as a rule of thumb, stay awake about 3–3.5 hours at a time. The AASM recommends 12–16 hours of sleep in 24, naps included. Bedtime usually falls between 7 and 7:45 p.m., with 11–12 hours overnight and 2–3 hours of daytime sleep.

What is typical at 9 months

Measure	Typical range
Total sleep per 24 hours	12–16 hours (AASM, ages 4–12 months)
What studies of healthy babies found	Average 12.6 hours from 9 months, with a normal spread of about 9.4 to 15.8 hours (Galland 2012)
Night sleep (common practice range)	11–12 hours
Naps (common practice range)	2, totalling about 2–3 hours
Wake windows (rule of thumb, not a research finding)	3–3.5 hours; shortest first, longest before bed
Night feeds	Commonly 0–1 a night. 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.

A 9 month old remembers and anticipates routines, which cuts both ways: a consistent plan works fast, and an inconsistent one teaches fast too. The schedule is only one part. Actually Sleeping gives you a plan Dr. Sam writes for your baby, bootcamp-style coaching before night one, and daily 1:1 check-ins, so the response stays the same every night.

What is changing developmentally

Pulling to stand, cruising, pincer grasp, waving, and understanding simple words. Separation anxiety is often building toward its usual peak between 10 and 18 months (AAP). Three meals a day are established for many babies, which changes the feeding picture overnight.

Why the average 9-month schedule often does not fit

Regression in full swing: standing, crying at the door, fighting the second nap. See the 8-to-10-month sleep regression.
Early waking: often tied to how the first nap is timed, and easy to turn into a habit. See early morning waking.
Second nap refused: babies this age are rarely ready for one nap; see nap transitions.
Naps only on a parent: see contact napping.

Which of these applies, and in what order to handle them, is different for each baby. A 9 month old who wakes from habit needs something different from one who wakes because the day is spaced wrong. That is the part a custom plan decides.

Safe sleep at 9 months

Mattress at the lowest setting now; many 9 month olds can pull up (AAP, MedlinePlus).
Crib away from windows and cords, and nothing loose in it before age 1 (AAP).

Is this age right for sleep training?

Yes, and it is not too late. Expect more protest about standing and separation than a younger baby would show; that is why Actually Sleeping includes bootcamp-style coaching before the first night rather than a document you are left to follow. 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 7 to 9 month olds say on our reviews page and in the best age to sleep train. A free consultation with Dr. Sam is the first step.

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

How many naps does a 9 month old need?

Two, as a common pattern. Studies found babies 6 to 11 months averaged about 2 naps a day. Total daytime sleep is commonly 2–3 hours, though many babies this age nap less because of how they fall asleep.

How long should a 9 month old be awake before bed?

As a common rule of thumb, about 3.25–3.5 hours after the second nap ends. It is not a research finding, and the right gap for your baby is one of the things Dr. Sam sets and adjusts with you.

Why is my 9 month old suddenly waking at night?

Most often new motor skills plus separation anxiety, which the AAP says usually peaks between 10 and 18 months. Rule out illness with your pediatrician. A consistent response is what Actually Sleeping helps you hold, night after night.