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You’re two months in, congratulations! You’ve officially made it past the trenches of navigating the first few weeks of newborn sleep while navigating changing sleep habits in the first month. At this point, your baby is probably starting to feel a little more like a real person. They’re more alert, may smile back at you, and are probably becoming more engaged during playtime.
At this age, babies are beginning to sleep for slightly longer stretches at night, and daytime rhythms are starting to take shape. While it’s still too early for strict sleep schedules or formal sleep training, you can continue (or start) to encourage healthy sleep patterns through consistent routines, predictable wake windows, and plenty of daytime feedings.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about your 2-month-old’s sleep, including sample schedules, naps, wake windows, safe sleep habits, bedtime routines, and what to expect from developmental changes in the weeks ahead.
If you’re running on fumes, our team offers in-home overnight newborn care to help you and your baby sleep better. Check out our service areas and contact us today for a free consultation!
What does a 2 month old’s daytime & overnight sleep schedule look like?
By two months, most babies are starting to develop more distinct day and night patterns as their circadian rhythm is beginning to develop. You might notice longer nighttime stretches (sometimes up to 4–8 hours) and slightly more predictable nap timing.
That said, at two months most babies still wake frequently for feeds, and “good nights” might feel like the exception rather than the rule. Even though things are starting to become more predictable, you’re still not looking for a rigid sleep schedule just. The goal is still to follow your baby’s cues while gently shaping patterns that support positive habits and help develop healthy routines.
Sample 2 Month Old Sleep Schedules
Every baby has unique rhythms and preferences, so use these sample schedules as loose guides rather than firm rules. The biggest difference between one and two months is that wake windows are a bit longer, and babies can handle more stimulation during awake time. These schedules account for the fact that it’s normal for babies to have their own unique routines, with some being early birds and others night owls, but we can also help if you’re struggling with early morning wake ups.
Early Riser
6:30am – Wake, feed, short activity
7:30am – Nap 1
9:00am – Wake, feed, activity
10:15am – Nap 2
11:45am – Wake, feed, activity
1:00pm – Nap 3
2:30pm – Wake, feed, activity
4:00pm – Nap 4
5:00pm – Wake, feed, activity
6:30pm – Bedtime
Later Riser
8:00am – Wake, feed, short activity
9:00am – Nap 1
10:30am – Wake, feed, activity
11:45am – Nap 2
1:15pm – Wake, feed, activity
2:30pm – Nap 3
4:00pm – Wake, feed, activity
5:30pm – Nap 4
6:30pm – Wake, feed, quiet activity
8:00pm – Bedtime
How long should two month babies sleep?
A typical 2-month-old sleeps 14–17 hours total in a 24-hour period. This usually includes 9–11 hours of overnight sleep (with 1-3 feeds) and 4–6 hours of nap sleep spread throughout the day in intervals of 40min-2.5hrs.
If you’re struggling to figure out the right daytime routine, our Newborn Care Specialists can help you decode baby’s cues and create routines that make rest easier with virtual support and in-home care.
Safe Sleep Habits for 2 Month Olds
Even as your baby starts to sleep for longer stretches, the safest way to sleep remains the same. According to the National Institute of Health, these are the key guidelines:
- Back sleeping: Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
- Rolling milestones: Once baby can roll both ways (usually closer to 3 or 4 months), stop swaddling.
- Swaddling & sleep sacks: Still safe as your baby isn’t an early roller. Some babies may transition well to arms-out sleep sacks now depending on how well integrated their startle reflex is.
- Dressing for sleep: One layer more than you would wear; avoid overheating.
- Pacifier use: Offering a pacifier at sleep time can reduce the risk of SIDS.
You can read more about safe newborn sleep practices in our in-depth guide.
2 Month Old Wake Windows & Daily Routine
Wake windows, aka the amount of time a baby can comfortably stay awake, for a 2-month-old are typically 60–90 minutes, though some babies can comfortably stretch to 2 hours, especially later in the day after getting quality naps. During this time, your baby can handle more stimulation and social interaction than before, but you’ll still want to end wake windows before they become fussy or overstimulated.
At this stage, you can continue to gently guide your baby toward a more predictable rhythm using the eat play sleep pattern: feed your baby after waking, engage in a short activity or just get in some bonding and interaction, and then wind down for the next nap.
If you’re curious about structuring your day, check out our guide to Eat Play Sleep. If mornings are still a battle, we can also help with [Fixing Early Morning Wake Ups].
Activities for daytime fun with newborns
You’ve graduated from the “baby-blob” stage! Your little one is becoming more alert and curious about the world, and playtime probably is starting to feel a bit more interactive as they track and grasp objects. Still, you might catch yourself thinking: “What exactly do I do with a baby who can’t sit, crawl, or coordinate their hands yet?”
Don’t worry, playtime at this age is all about development, not entertainment in the way that we think of it as adults. Each small activity helps build eyesight, coordination, and brain connections that set the stage for future milestones, and babies’ brains are wired to be interested in things that help build these connections! Think of playtime as helping your baby practice being a person.
Another bonus for you and baby is that an age-appropriate amount of playtime during wake windows has a direct positive impact on naps and night sleep.
Here are a few great ways to “play” with your 2-month-old:
- Tummy time for longer stretches (try 3–5 minutes a few times a day)
- Black-and-white toys or colorful mobiles for visual tracking
- Crinkly toys or rattles to practice grasping and auditory feedback
- Gentle talking, singing, or reading aloud
- Baby mirror play to build recognition
- Soft, slow movement, like gentle swaying or dancing together
Nap Schedule for a 2 Month Old
One of the biggest factors that contributes to successful nights is successful naps. At two months, naps are probably still somewhat unpredictable, and that’s completely normal. You’ll likely see 4–5 naps per day, ranging from 40 minutes to 2.5 hours.
How long should naps be for a 2-month-old?
Naps often vary in length, depending on how well your baby connects sleep cycles. At two months, your baby’s sleep cycles have started to lengthen a bit with each lasting about 40–50 minutes rather than the 30-minute cycles you were seeing in the first few weeks. Try to keep individual naps under 2-2.5 hours to protect nighttime sleep and maintain circadian rhythm development.
How many naps should my 2-month-old take?
Expect 4–5 naps, spaced 60–90 minutes apart, though each day may look a little different. This may be one nap less than you were seeing in the early days as wake windows lengthen along with baby’s ability to connect sleep cycles. If your baby seems tired or cranky even when going to sleep or waking up, they may be getting overtired and need shorter wake windows (and potentially also support connecting sleep cycles) to fall asleep easier and wake rested.
If naps are a struggle, explore our guide to Napping 101 for expert tips on building better daytime sleep habits.
Feeding & Sleep at 2 Months
Throughout the newborn stage, feeding continues to be closely tied to sleep. At two months, most babies are still eating 7–9 times per 24 hours, with 1–3 of those happening overnight. You may start to notice longer stretches between feedings, particularly at night.
Keep in mind that growth spurts at this stage can temporarily disrupt sleep. Follow your baby’s hunger cues and don’t worry if feeding frequency fluctuates for a few days, but try to continue keeping up with the rest of your sleep routines. The silver lining is that babies who eat more usually sleep for longer stretches, so the increased intake you’re seeing now should pay off for everyone down the line.
You still won’t be starting solids for a few months, but if you’re the type to plan ahead you can start to get a sense of what that will look like with our guide on Starting Solids. For now, whether you’re breastfeeding, using only bottles, or feeding formula, if you’re looking to get more rest for yourself, our overnight newborn care team can help you get extra sleep without compromising your feeding goals.
What Is a Good Bedtime for a 2-Month-Old?
Bedtime typically falls between 6:00pm and 9:00pm, depending on your family’s schedule and your baby’s natural rhythm. The key is consistency; aim to start your bedtime routine around the same time each evening. Like with naps, you also want to start getting ready for sleep when baby is showing early sleepy cues like eye or forehead reddening, rubbing their eyes, disengaging from stimulation, or light fussing. This helps baby fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer, typically also helping to decrease “false starts,” where babies fall asleep and then wake up again shortly after.
2 Month Old Bedtime Routine
A soothing routine doesn’t have to be elaborate to be effective, so don’t let the fear of a laundry list of bedtime tasks keep you from establishing nightly habits. For an easy and quick transition into bedtime, you can follow this simple routine:
- Bath or wipe-down
- Pajamas and swaddle or sleep sack
- Quiet song or book
- Last feed before bed
- Cuddle, then down to sleep
If evenings are still a challenge, our overnight newborn care can help you establish a peaceful bedtime rhythm, and carry out your routine when you need a break..
Is there a two month sleep regression?
There’s no true sleep regression at two months, but your baby’s growing awareness and development can make settling harder. You might notice shorter naps or more resistance at sleep times, especially if baby is overstimulated or overtired.
This is a great time to focus on environmental consistency: dim lights, calm sounds, and predictable routines all cue the brain for sleep. When baby is struggling to settle, it can also be helpful to turn to the 5 Ss for soothing a fussy baby. You can learn more about what to look out for as baby’s sleep changes in our guide to baby sleep regressions.
Sleep Training at 2 Months
At two months, it’s still too early for formal sleep training but that doesn’t mean your helpless against baby sleep challenges. You can continue setting a healthy foundation with gentle sleep shaping strategies: encourage positive sleep associations (white noise, darkness, consistent bedtime cues) and practice putting baby down drowsy but awake when possible to give them a chance to practice allowing themself to fall asleep independently. You can dive into sleep shaping in our guide on How To Gently Sleep Train A Newborn Baby (Without Crying Yourself To Sleep)
You can also learn more about how our sleep training services are tailored to your family’s needs as well as your baby’s age and developmental readiness .
Frequently asked questions about sleep schedules at two months
Looking for quick answers? Here’s our rapid-fire guide to sleep at two months old.
How many naps should a 2-month-old take? 4–5 naps per day.
How long should naps last? 40 minutes to 2.5 hours.
When do babies sleep through the night? Some babies start longer stretches (5–8 hours) around this age, but most still need 1–3 night feeds.
What time should bedtime be? Between 6:00pm and 9:00pm.
Do babies go through a 2-month regression? Not technically, but some may become fussier or harder to settle as they become more alert.
What if my baby’s schedule doesn’t match this one? That’s completely normal. Focus on flexible routines and your baby’s cues rather than the clock.For more support, explore our full range of services: Overnight Newborn Care, 24-Hour Newborn care, and Sleep Training Services.
