

Placing your child on a correct 9 month previous sleep schedule can imply 11-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night time and 2-3 hours of nice napping in the course of the day. However, what’s the acceptable sleep schedule you must strive at 9 months? This text will share the whole lot you should find out about your 9 month previous’s sleep schedule to set them up for fulfillment based mostly on my 15+ years as a child sleep marketing consultant!
On this article:
How A lot Sleep 9 Month Olds Want
Most 9 month previous infants want 13-14 hours of sleep per day together with 11-12 hours at night time and 2-3 hours in the course of the day. At this age, most formula-fed infants are sleeping by way of the night time however some breastfeeding infants nonetheless want one night time feeding.
After all, by definition, some infants will want roughly than the typical quantity of sleep. One of the simplest ways to know in case your child is getting sufficient sleep is to take a look at their temper, habits, and different indicators of over-tiredness. In case your child is joyful and thriving, until you’re seeing darkish circles or luggage underneath their eyes, they’re probably getting sufficient sleep.
9 Month Outdated Sleep Schedule Wake Home windows and Awake Time
9 month previous wake home windows (aka awake time between sleep intervals) are normally 2 to three hours, at this age. Extra particularly:
- 2 to 2.5 hour wake window within the morning earlier than nap 1
- 2.5 to three hours awake earlier than nap 2
- 2.5 to 4 hours awake time earlier than bedtime.
How Many Naps for a 9 Month Outdated?
A quite common query is what number of naps a 9 month previous wants. The typical age to transition from three naps to 2 naps is round 8 to 9 months previous. Whereas some 9 month olds nonetheless want three naps, it’s the minority. Most infants will transition to 2 naps by 9 months previous.
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What If Your 9 Month Outdated Nonetheless Takes 3 Naps?
Most infants will transition from 3 naps to 2 naps by 9 months previous if not at 7 to eight months previous. Nonetheless, there are a number of 9 month previous infants who nonetheless take three naps. So long as it’s working, they are going to probably drop the third nap throughout the subsequent couple of weeks and there’s no have to do something. Nonetheless, if you’re having any of the next issues, you must drop the nap for them:
- Nighttime sleep has decreased to lower than 10 hours.
- Your child is awake for 1 to 2 hours in the midst of the night time (aka insomnia or cut up night time).
- All 3 naps instantly turned three 30-minute naps once they was longer.
If a schedule is working, nice! Nonetheless, in the event you’re having sleep issues, it could possibly be time for a change.
What Time Ought to They Go to Mattress?
The most typical bedtime at 9 months previous is 6:30 to eight:00 PM. In case your child has transitioned to 2 naps, they’re probably sleeping 11 to 12 hours at night time. In that case, you need bedtime to be round 7:00 PM. If bedtime is just too early, you might need an early waking downside (see under.)
Alternatively, in case your child continues to be taking three naps, you need bedtime to be 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. In any other case, they are going to get up too early the following morning since they probably gained’t want fairly as a lot sleep at night time.
In case your bedtime is earlier or later than the standard vary, and sleep is good in your family, there isn’t any want to vary it.
Pattern 9 Month Outdated Sleep Schedules
The suitable 9 month previous sleep schedule can assist your child sleep by way of the night time, nap longer in the course of the day, and be happier, general. Use these pattern schedules that will help you discover the precise one on your distinctive scenario.
Pattern 2-Nap Sleep Schedule
This pattern 2-nap schedule has typical wake home windows of two to 4 hours, relying on the time of day:
Time | Wake Window | Exercise | Sleep Size |
7:00 AM | Wake* | ||
9:30 AM | 2.5 Hours | Nap | 1 to 1.5 hours |
2:00 PM | 3 Hours | Nap | 1 to 1.5 hours |
7:00 PM | 3.5 to 4 Hours | Bedtime (Asleep by this time) |
11 to 12 hours |
* Must you wake your child within the morning? For those who like a extremely predictable schedule, we advocate waking your child throughout the similar 30-minute window of time (e.g. 6:45-7:15 AM). For those who don’t thoughts day-after-day being a bit totally different and your child can deal with it, you possibly can let your child sleep till 8:00 a.m. and easily modify the remainder of the day. It usually works out a method or one other.
Pattern 2-Nap Sleep Schedule With Meals
After I’m working with shoppers through sleep coaching companies, many dad and mom wish to know when they need to provide meals particularly in the event that they’re having bother night-weaning. You’d be shocked what number of instances all I do is repair somebody’s schedule to enhance their sleep! Here’s a pattern sleep schedule with feedings for a 9 month previous taking two naps:
Time | Wake Window | Exercise | Sleep Size |
7:00 AM | Wake* | ||
7:30 AM | Milk | ||
8:30 AM | Breakfast | ||
9:30 AM | 2.5 Hours | Nap | 1 to 1.5 hours |
11:00 AM | Milk | ||
1:00 PM | Lunch (+ 1/2 Milk Feeding) | ||
2:00 PM | 3 Hours | Nap | 1 to 1.5 hours |
3:30 PM | Milk | ||
5:30 PM | Dinner** | ||
7:00 PM | 3.5 to 4 Hours | Milk + Bedtime (Asleep by this time) |
11-12 hours |
* Must you wake your child within the morning? For those who like a extremely predictable schedule, we advocate waking your child throughout the similar 30-minute window of time (e.g. 6:45-7:15 AM). For those who don’t thoughts day-after-day being a bit totally different and your child can deal with it, you possibly can let your child sleep till 8:00 a.m. and easily modify the remainder of the day. It usually works out a method or one other.
** Must you give your 9-month previous dinner? Needless to say at this age, we usually solely provide two strong meals. (For those who favor, you possibly can skip lunch and provide dinner as an alternative.) We solely add a 3rd meal at this age if the newborn is ingesting all of their milk and nonetheless seems hungry or having bother night-weaning. Make sure you evaluate our child feeding chart that will help you decide this.
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9 Month Outdated Feeding and Sleep Schedules In Element
Obtain Pattern 9 Month Outdated Schedule

Why Some 9 Month Olds Wake Up Too Early
In case your 9 month previous is waking up too early within the morning, there are a number of widespread causes:
- Dropping to Two Naps – In case your child is sleeping lower than 10 hours at night time, they is likely to be prepared for a 2-nap schedule. If they’re sleeping 10 hours at night time however fortunately taking three naps AND waking up earlier than 6:00 AM, merely shift their schedule ahead by no less than an hour.
- Overtiredness at Bedtime – If their afternoon nap is shorter or their wake window is just too lengthy earlier than bedtime, that is the #1 motive for waking up too early the following day. Shorten the wake window proper earlier than bedtime. In case your child wakes up crying, that is the most probably motive.
- Starvation – In case your child isn’t ingesting sufficient milk or consuming sufficient strong meals along with their milk, chances are you’ll want to extend milk feedings, strong meals, or add in one other meal. Or, your child is just not able to sleep all night time with out consuming. That is very true for breastfed infants who’re 9 months previous.
- Dawn – We are supposed to rise with the solar and fall asleep with the sundown. Unnatural gentle has made all of our bedtimes later than pure. Kids who’re delicate to gentle may get up too early when the solar begins to shine by way of their home windows. Think about room-darkening shades, blinds, or curtains.
Though there are a number of different causes your child could possibly be waking up too early, these are the most typical culprits.
Why Some 9 Month Olds Wake Up at Evening and Can You Do Sleep Coaching?
There could possibly be many causes inflicting your child to get up at night time. When you can do sleep coaching, that doesn’t repair each trigger. Make sure you clear up the proper downside and take a look at our article Prime 15 Causes Your Child Is Waking at Evening. Infants this age are sometimes going by way of the 9 month sleep regression which lasts 3 to six weeks, on common. This may trigger frequent night-waking in addition to quick naps.
9 Month Outdated Sleep Schedule FAQ
No, it’s not too early for 2 naps. Most infants have dropped to 2 naps by 8 to 9 months previous.
9 month previous infants nap for two to three hours complete day-after-day whether or not it’s in two naps or three naps. Every nap is normally no less than one hour except any third catnap which is normally solely 30-45 minutes.
Daytime sleep for 9 month olds ought to complete 2 to three hours.
A typical bedtime for a 9 month previous is between 6:30 and eight:00 PM. This is dependent upon what number of naps they take, what their wake home windows are, and the way a lot complete nighttime sleep they want.
Sure, there’s a 9 month sleep regression although some infants begin it round 8 months previous. It is a 3 to 6-week interval when infants wake rather a lot at night time and take quick naps. Some infants will begin to skip their naps.
There could possibly be many causes inflicting your child to get up at night time. When you can do sleep coaching, that doesn’t repair each trigger. Make sure you clear up the proper downside and take a look at our article Prime 15 Causes Your Child Is Waking at Evening. Infants this age are sometimes going by way of the 9 month sleep regression which lasts 3 to six weeks, on common. This may trigger frequent night-waking in addition to quick naps.
9 month previous infants, on common, drink 20-30 oz of breast milk, 24-32 oz of formulation, breastfeed 4-5 instances a day plus as soon as at night time, or a mixture of all of those. Your child staying on their progress curve is the most effective indicator they’re getting sufficient. Please see your healthcare supplier ought to you might have any issues in any respect.