This nap schedule by age chart shows what’s typical: most babies take 2 to 3 naps a day between 4 and 12 months, drop to 2 naps by their first birthday, and settle into a single afternoon nap sometime between 13 months and age 3, according to pediatric sleep sources. Newborns nap far more often than that — typically 6 to 8 times in 24 hours, in short, unpredictable stretches. Use the printable chart below to see naps per day, total nap time, and typical wake windows at every age from newborn through age 3, plus when most kids drop naps for good.
Print this chart or save it as a PDF, and keep it somewhere you can glance at it — the fridge, a diaper bag pocket, or your phone’s photo album. It’s a reference for what’s typical, not a rulebook; every baby lands somewhere in these ranges, not always in the middle of them.
Why does a nap schedule change so much in the first 3 years?
Babies cycle through faster sleep stages than adults, and the number of sleep cycles they can chain together without waking up grows as their brain matures — that’s the real driver behind naps getting longer and fewer as a baby gets older. A newborn can’t yet stay awake long enough to need a true “schedule”; by the time a child is approaching preschool, they can often stay awake all day on one night’s sleep alone. The chart below reflects that gradual shift.
What’s on this nap schedule chart
| Age | Naps per day | Length of each nap | Typical wake window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0-11 weeks) | 6-8 | 10 minutes to 4 hours | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| 3-4 months | 4-5 | 30 minutes to 2 hours | About 1-2 hours |
| 5-6 months | 3-4 | 30-45 minutes to 2 hours | About 2 hours |
| 7-8 months | 2-3 | 1-2 hours | 2-3 hours |
| 9-12 months | 2 | 1-2 hours | 3-4 hours |
| 13-17 months | 1-2 | 1-3 hours | 3-5 hours |
| 18 months-3 years | 1 | 1.5-2.5 hours | 5-6 hours |
Nap counts and lengths are ranges from The Baby Sleep Site’s published nap charts, cross-checked against Akron Children’s Hospital’s sleep-needs guidance. Total daily sleep (naps plus nighttime) runs about 14-17 hours for newborns, 12-16 hours for babies 4-12 months, 11-14 hours for toddlers 1-2 years, and 10-13 hours for preschoolers 3-5 years.
When do most kids drop naps for good?
Nap transitions happen in a predictable order for most kids, even though the exact timing varies: from 4-5 newborn naps down to 3-4 around 5-6 months, down to 2 around 9 months, down to 1 somewhere between 13 and 18 months, and dropped entirely somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5 years old. The drop from 2 naps to 1 is usually the hardest on families, since it often comes with a few weeks of short, cranky single naps before the new schedule settles in. A nap getting shorter or harder for 3-5 days in a row can just be a growth spurt or a developmental leap — give it one to two weeks before deciding a transition is real and adjusting the schedule.
How to use this chart without overthinking it
- Watch wake windows more than the clock. A baby who’s been awake for their typical wake window is usually a better nap cue than a specific time on the schedule.
- Expect the 4-month and 8-month stretches to feel the bumpiest — nap transitions cluster around these ages as sleep cycles mature.
- Protect the first nap of the day when you can. It tends to be the most consolidated and the easiest one to keep consistent.
- A short nap (20-30 minutes) isn’t automatically a bad nap. Some babies are naturally “short nappers” well past the newborn stage.
- If naps are consistently a fight for more than two weeks, it’s reasonable to check with your pediatrician before assuming it’s just a phase.
Nap schedule FAQ
How do I know if my baby is ready to drop a nap?
Look for the new schedule holding steady for 1-2 weeks, not just one rough day: consistent trouble falling asleep at a nap, a nap getting pushed later and later, or nighttime sleep getting worse. A single bad day is more likely a growth spurt than a real transition.
Is it bad if my baby’s naps don’t match this chart?
No. These are ranges other sources see across large numbers of babies, not a target for any one baby. A baby who naps well, wakes up in a good mood, and sleeps reasonably at night is fine even outside these numbers.
Why did my baby suddenly start fighting naps they used to take easily?
Most nap regressions trace back to a wake-window change (they can now stay awake longer), a developmental leap, teething, or the early signal of an upcoming nap transition.
Do toddlers still need a nap at age 3?
Many do and many don’t — this is one of the widest ranges in toddler sleep. Some kids drop their last nap before age 3, and some healthy, well-rested kids still nap daily at 4. Quiet, screen-free rest time is a reasonable substitute once a nap stops happening.
How much total sleep does my baby need, naps included?
Roughly 14-17 hours for newborns, 12-16 hours for babies 4-12 months, 11-14 hours for toddlers 1-2 years, and 10-13 hours for preschoolers 3-5 years, per Akron Children’s Hospital’s pediatric sleep guidance.
Related guides
- Free Printable: Toddler Daily Routine Chart
- Quiet Time Activities for a Toddler Who Dropped Their Nap
- Free Printable: Baby’s First-Year Milestone Tracker
Sources
- The Baby Sleep Site — Baby Nap Chart: How Many Naps Your Baby Needs by Age
- Akron Children’s Hospital — Naps: When, Why, and How Much
This chart is for general reference and isn’t a substitute for your pediatrician’s guidance, especially if you have concerns about your child’s sleep.
Cite this page
“Nap Schedule by Age: A Free Printable Chart for Babies and Toddlers” — KidBlueprint, https://kidblueprint.com/tools/nap-schedule-by-age/, updated October 2026.