From the Guidelines
A 2-month-old baby typically needs 14-17 hours of sleep per day, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. This sleep is usually distributed throughout a 24-hour period, with 8-10 hours occurring at night (though rarely in one continuous stretch) and the remaining hours split between 3-5 daytime naps. At this age, babies are still developing their circadian rhythms and cannot yet distinguish fully between day and night. Most 2-month-olds will wake every 2-4 hours to feed, as their small stomachs cannot hold enough milk to keep them satisfied for longer periods. This frequent waking is normal and necessary for their growth and development. While some babies might sleep for longer stretches at night by this age, many will not, and this variation is completely normal. To support healthy sleep patterns, establish consistent bedtime routines, recognize early sleepiness cues, and place your baby on their back in a safe sleep environment with no loose bedding, pillows, or toys, as emphasized by safe sleep guidelines 1. Some key considerations for a safe sleep environment include:
- Placing the baby on their back for every sleep period
- Using a firm sleep surface
- Keeping soft objects and loose bedding away from the infant’s sleep area
- Room-sharing with the infant on a separate sleep surface
- Avoiding overheating and ensuring a safe sleep space. By following these guidelines and recommendations, parents can help promote healthy sleep patterns and reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.
From the Research
Sleep Recommendations for Infants
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that infants 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health 2.
- However, for a 2-month-old infant, this recommendation is not directly applicable.
- The National Sleep Foundation recommends that infants should sleep between 12 and 15 hours per day 3, 4.
- These recommendations are based on the latest scientific evidence and were developed using a formal consensus and voting process.
Sleep Patterns in Infants
- A study on one month old infants found that their sleep parameters showed marked variability, with active sleep accounting for 36.7% of total sleep time, quiet sleep accounting for 41.5%, and indeterminate sleep accounting for 21.6% 5.
- Another study found that infants at high risk for SIDS had abnormalities in nighttime REM sleep, which may be indicative of a central nervous system (CNS) deficit 6.
- These studies suggest that sleep patterns in infants can be complex and variable, and may be influenced by a range of factors, including age and CNS development.