Baby Bedtime Calculator
Updated
Quick answer: Most babies from about 4 months to 2 years do best with a bedtime between 6:30 and 8 pm. Newborns don’t have a set bedtime yet — their longest stretch of sleep often starts between 9 and 11 pm. The best bedtime for your baby depends on when they woke up and when their last nap ended.
Bedtime by age
| Age | Usual range | Wake 6 am | Wake 7 am | Wake 8 am |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0–4 weeks) | 8:30 pm–11:00 pm | 8:59 pm | 8:30 pm | 9:11 pm |
| 1 month | 8:30 pm–10:30 pm | 8:45 pm | 9:45 pm | 8:45 pm |
| 2 months | 8:00 pm–9:30 pm | 8:30 pm | 9:30 pm | 8:15 pm |
| 3 months | 7:00 pm–8:30 pm | 8:25 pm | 7:00 pm | 7:47 pm |
| 4 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:15 pm | 7:15 pm | 8:15 pm |
| 5 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:15 pm | 7:15 pm | 8:15 pm |
| 6 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:30 pm | 7:30 pm | 8:30 pm |
| 7 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:30 pm | 7:30 pm | 8:30 pm |
| 8 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 7:00 pm | 8:00 pm |
| 9 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:30 pm | 7:30 pm | 8:30 pm |
| 10 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:30 pm | 7:30 pm | 8:30 pm |
| 11 months | 6:30 pm–8:00 pm | 6:45 pm | 7:45 pm | 8:45 pm |
| 12–14 months | 6:30 pm–8:15 pm | 6:45 pm | 7:45 pm | 8:45 pm |
| 15–17 months | 6:30 pm–8:15 pm | 6:15 pm | 7:15 pm | 8:15 pm |
| 18–23 months | 6:45 pm–8:15 pm | 6:45 pm | 7:45 pm | 8:45 pm |
| 2 years | 6:45 pm–8:30 pm | 7:00 pm | 8:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
How bedtime is calculated
Bedtime is the end of the last wake window of the day. The calculator adds your baby’s naps and wake windows to their morning wake-up time, so a 6 am wake-up leads to an earlier bedtime than an 8 am one. Log real naps and bedtime updates automatically.
When to move bedtime earlier
- After short or skipped naps.
- During a nap transition, when your baby has one fewer nap.
- After a busy or overstimulating day.
- When your baby is waking very early, which is often linked to overtiredness.
When a later bedtime makes sense
- After long naps that ended late in the afternoon.
- If your baby plays or chats in the crib for a long time at bedtime.
- To fit a later family schedule — keep the morning wake-up time consistent too.
A simple bedtime routine
A short, predictable routine of 15–30 minutes helps signal that night sleep is coming — for example a bath, pajamas, a feed, a book and a song. Doing the same steps in the same order matters more than which steps you choose.
Common questions
Is 8 pm too late for a baby’s bedtime?
Not necessarily. Many babies do well with an 8 pm bedtime if they wake around 7–8 am and naps are going well. If your baby wakes very early or struggles at bedtime, try moving bedtime 15–30 minutes earlier.
Is 6 pm too early for bedtime?
An early bedtime can help on days with short naps or during nap transitions, and some babies do well with a 6–6:30 pm bedtime every day.
What time should a 6-month-old go to bed?
Usually between about 6:30 and 8 pm, depending on their wake-up time and naps.