What to Expect from Your Baby’s Sleep at Each Age in 2025
- sleepbyalexandrauk
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
Realistic, gentle guidance for calm, confident parenting
If you’ve ever typed something like “How much should my baby be sleeping right now?” or “Is it normal that my 4-month-old still wakes twice a night?” you’re absolutely not alone.
There’s so much pressure these days to get your baby “sleeping through” as soon as possible. But the truth is -
👉 Every baby is different.
👉 There’s no perfect sleep schedule.
👉 And yes, night waking is normal for months (even years) for many little ones.
This guide will walk you through realistic sleep expectations by age in 2025, based on current UK advice and offer calm, gentle tips along the way.
Newborn to 6 Weeks: The 24-Hour Baby
Total sleep: 14–18 hours in 24 hours
Naps: 4–6 naps, unpredictable and often very short
Night waking: Frequent, especially for feeding
Key focus: Safe sleep, skin-to-skin where possible and responding to baby’s cues
💡 Don’t worry about routines yet. Just focus on feeding, cuddling, and rest when you can.
6–12 Weeks: Days and Nights Begin to Separate
Total sleep: 14–17 hours
Naps: 3–5 naps, still quite erratic
Night waking: Frequent, especially for feeding
Key focus: Gentle exposure to natural light during the day, and calm, dim evenings. This is to help set babies circadian rhythm. This does naturally set by this age anyway.
💡 You can start introducing a very simple bedtime routine, however keep it flexible and low-pressure.
3–4 Months: The First Big Sleep Shift
Total sleep: Around 14–16 hours
Naps: 3–4, often shorter or a bit unpredictable
Night waking: Nighttime may settle to 2 wakes, however more than 2 is still normal plus the “4-month sleep regression” may appear
Key focus: Predictability over perfection
💡 This age is when babies begin cycling through sleep stages more like adults so waking between cycles becomes more common. Their brains are developing around 4 months hence why some say babies have a "regression".
5–7 Months: A Bit More Structure (Maybe)
Total sleep: 13–15 hours
Naps: 3
Night waking: Some babies may start to sleep through, but most still wake for feeding
Key focus: Consistent bedtime routine and wind-down cues
💡 If your baby is still waking, that’s absolutely normal especially if they’re going through a growth spurt, teething, or learning new skills.
8–12 Months: The Development Stage
Total sleep: 13–14 hours
Naps: 2-3 naps
Night waking: Some still wake occasionally — especially during regressions
Key focus: Separation anxiety often peaks, so extra cuddles are key
💡 You don’t need to “train” independence. A calm, consistent bedtime and your comforting presence go a long way.
12–18 Months: Transition Begins Again
Total sleep: 12–14 hours
Naps: Transition from 2 naps to 1 nap typically around 15–18 months
Night waking: Occasionally due to teething, illness or leaps
Key focus: Keep bedtime calm and predictable, even if naps shift
💡 Watch your baby’s tired cues more than the clock especially during nap transitions.
18–24 Months: Sleep Can Be… a Bit Wobbly
Total sleep: 11–13 hours
Naps: Usually 1 midday nap
Night waking: Possible again with big leaps in language, emotion and independence
Key focus: Reassurance, routine, and not expecting perfection
💡 Many toddlers start to resist bedtime, not because they aren’t tired, but because they’re learning boundaries. Gentle firmness + emotional connection works wonders.
❤️ A Note from Me
Your baby doesn’t need to follow a textbook schedule to be thriving. Every baby develops at their own pace and your calm, responsive presence is what matters most.
There’s no gold star for getting your baby to “sleep through” the fastest. What really matters is that you feel supported, your baby feels safe, and sleep feels doable, not a daily battle.
🔍 Frequently Googled Questions (And Reassuring Answers)
Q: What time should babies go to bed in the UK?
A: Anywhere between 6:30 and 8pm is common. What matters most is consistency, not the exact time.
Q: Is it normal for my 6 month old to wake twice a night?
A: Yes. Some babies do, especially during teething or milestones. It’s only a problem if it feels unmanageable for you.
Q: When should my baby drop to one nap?
A: Most babies drop to one nap between 15–18 months, but some keep two until closer to 20 months.
Q: Do I need to sleep train?
A: Not if you don’t want to. There are many gentle ways to support sleep that don’t involve crying it out.
🌿 Need some calm, personalised sleep support?
My whole approach is about working with your baby’s natural rhythms, in a way that feels manageable and reassuring for you as well.
If you’d like some guidance that’s calm, straightforward and truly personalised, I’d love to help.
or
➡️ Download your age appropriate “Online Sleep Success” guide to get started.
Because at the end of the day, your baby needs you, not a perfect clock watching routine.
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