What is a recommended daily schedule for an infant 2-3 months old?

Daily Schedule for Infants 2-3 Months Old

For infants aged 2-3 months, structure the day around feeding every 3-4 hours (approximately 6-8 feedings per 24 hours), 14-17 hours of total sleep distributed throughout day and night, at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread across the day, and zero screen time. 1

Feeding Schedule

• Feed approximately every 3-4 hours, taking 3-4 oz per feeding 1
• Expect 6-8 feedings in a 24-hour period (this includes nighttime feeds) 1
• Breastfed infants may feed more frequently than formula-fed infants, but both patterns are normal 2
• Offer only breastmilk or formula—no complementary foods, juice, cow's milk, or other beverages at this age 1
• Avoid bottle propping; hold the infant during all feedings 1

Important caveat: At 2-3 months, most infants still require nighttime feedings for adequate nutrition. Attempting to eliminate night feeds at this age is premature and may compromise caloric intake. 2

Sleep Patterns

• Total sleep requirement: 14-17 hours per 24-hour period, including naps 1, 3
• Sleep will be distributed in multiple shorter bouts throughout day and night, typically lasting 30 minutes to 4 hours 3
• At this age, circadian rhythms are just beginning to emerge (between 1-3 months), so expecting consolidated nighttime sleep is unrealistic 3
• Most infants (approximately 78%) will still wake at least once during the night, and this is developmentally normal 2

Sleep Environment Strategies

• Expose infant to natural bright light during daytime hours and darkness at night to help establish circadian rhythm development 3
• Implement a 12-hour light/12-hour dark schedule to accelerate establishment of day-night sleep-wake cycles 3
• Begin establishing consistent bedtime routines (such as bathing, feeding, hugging/kissing) even at this early age, as routine consistency at 3 months predicts better sleep outcomes later 4
• Maximize environmental differences between day and night (bright/active during day, dark/quiet at night) 5

Common pitfall: Keeping infants in constant dim light delays proper sleep-wake cycle establishment. 3

Physical Activity and Movement

• Provide at least 30 minutes of supervised tummy time spread throughout the day when infant is awake and alert 1
• Engage in a variety of interactive activities and floor-based play—more is better 1
• Limit time restrained in devices (car seat, stroller, highchair, carrier) to no more than 1 hour at a time 1

Screen Time

• Zero screen time—no television, tablets, phones, or other screens 1

Sample Daily Framework

While recognizing that 2-3 month old infants don't follow rigid schedules, a typical 24-hour pattern might include:

• 6-8 feeding sessions spaced approximately 3-4 hours apart 1
• Multiple sleep periods totaling 14-17 hours, with individual sleep bouts varying from 30 minutes to 4 hours 3
• Tummy time sessions of 5-10 minutes each, distributed across 3-6 sessions when infant is awake and content 1
• 1-2 nighttime wakings for feeding are expected and normal 2

Critical consideration: Feeding frequency during daytime hours may reduce nighttime feeding frequency but will not eliminate nighttime wakings, as infants at this age still need parental attention during the night regardless of feeding schedule. 2