A 6-month-old typically sleeps 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, including naps. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses this range for all infants ages 4 to 12 months. Most of that sleep happens at night, with the rest spread across two or three daytime naps.
Nighttime and Daytime Sleep Breakdown
At 6 months, babies generally sleep 10 to 14 hours at night. That doesn’t mean 10 to 14 hours of unbroken sleep, though many 6-month-olds can sleep in stretches of 6 to 8 hours before waking. Some will sleep even longer stretches, while others still wake once or twice.
During the day, expect about 2 to 4 hours of total nap time, split across roughly three naps. Each nap typically lasts 1 to 2 hours. The first nap of the day tends to come after a shorter awake stretch, while later naps may be shorter or more variable as your baby gets closer to the transition from three naps to two.
Wake Windows Between Sleep
A 6-month-old generally needs 2 to 3 hours of awake time between sleep periods. These wake windows tend to get longer as the day goes on. Your baby might only need about 2 hours of wakefulness before the first morning nap but closer to 3 hours before bedtime. Paying attention to these windows matters because putting a baby down too early or too late can make it harder for them to fall asleep. Drowsy signs like eye rubbing, yawning, or fussiness are reliable cues that a wake window is closing.
Night Feedings at 6 Months
By 6 months, many babies no longer need to eat during the night, especially formula-fed infants. Formula digests more slowly than breast milk, so a formula-fed baby over 6 months who wakes at night is unlikely to be waking from hunger. Breastfed babies may still benefit from one or two night feeds, but this varies. If your baby is growing well and eating enough during the day, nighttime feedings can often be gradually phased out around this age.
Why Sleep Can Fall Apart at 6 Months
Six months is a common time for a sleep regression, even in babies who were previously sleeping well. Several things converge at once. Teething often kicks in around this age, causing discomfort that disrupts sleep. Physically, babies are learning to sit up and may be starting early attempts at crawling. These motor milestones can temporarily make sleep worse as babies “practice” new skills in the crib, sometimes pulling themselves up and then not knowing how to get back down.
There’s also a major cognitive shift happening between 6 and 9 months: object permanence. Your baby starts to understand that you still exist even when you leave the room. This is a healthy developmental leap, but it can trigger separation anxiety at bedtime and during nighttime wake-ups. A baby who used to settle easily may suddenly protest being put down or cry when you walk away. This phase is temporary, though it can feel relentless while you’re in it.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
A rough schedule for a 6-month-old might look something like this:
- Morning wake-up: around 6:00 to 7:00 a.m.
- First nap: about 2 hours after waking, lasting 1 to 2 hours
- Second nap: mid-day, again 1 to 2 hours
- Third nap: a shorter late-afternoon nap, often 30 to 45 minutes
- Bedtime: around 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., after a 2.5 to 3 hour wake window
This is a guideline, not a prescription. Some babies drop the third nap closer to 7 or 8 months, while others need it well past 6 months. The total sleep in 24 hours matters more than hitting exact nap times.
Safe Sleep at This Age
At 6 months, the same safe sleep rules still apply. Place your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps. Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib with only a fitted sheet. Keep blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals out of the sleep area. If your baby rolls onto their stomach on their own (which is common by 6 months), you don’t need to reposition them, but always start them on their back.
The CDC recommends keeping your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep for at least the first 6 months. Watch for signs of overheating, like sweating or a hot chest, rather than piling on layers. A sleep sack is a safe alternative to a loose blanket if your baby needs extra warmth.