6 Month Old Baby Sleep and Feeding Schedule
The 6 month mark usually marks a noticeably smoother period of time in baby’s sleep schedule! 6 month olds should be comfortably on a 3 nap schedule, and circadian rhythm is fully developed. Continue reading below to learn:
Recommendations for sleep and feeding for 6 month olds
Suggested total sleep and wake windows for 6 month old babies
A sample schedule for sleep and feeding for 6 month old babies
Sleep and Feeding Recommendations for 6 Month Old Babies
It normally works out to keep implementing an “Eat, Play, Sleep” routine this month, and feeding your baby after he or she wakes from sleep provides enough time in between feeds.
Sleep
A 3 nap schedule is typically appropriate for most 6 month olds, even though there may be some resistance for the third nap. At least the first two naps of the day should be at home in the crib whenever possible, and baby should be practicing going to sleep independently for both. If the third nap of the day is difficult, parents may choose to help baby sleep with rocking, in the stroller, or a car ride. If baby is experiencing night wakings beyond one feeding a night, it may be helpful to consider implementing a sleep training method to encourage returning to sleep without assistance. If your baby is ready for a 2 nap schedule, use the 7 month old schedule.
Total sleep per day: 14.5 hours
Wake Windows: 2-2.75 hours
Feeding
Offer breastmilk/formula (6 oz) every 3.5-4 hours, 5-6 times per day. In addition, 6 month old babies should be offered solids 2-3 “meals” per day, with a possible snack or two. Try to stagger the solid meals with breastmilk/formula by offering about an hour apart so that your baby is sufficiently hungry to eat.
Sample Schedule for Sleep and Feeding for 6 Month Old Babies
The schedule below is an example containing averages. It is not meant to be followed exactly as every baby is different, and parents will typically need to make adjustments to balance actual wake times, nap lengths, hunger cues, and sleepy signs.
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