You and your baby have learned so much together in the last 4 months. And there are so many more fun things in store for the both of you! Let me share with you common questions I get from parents about four month old sleep schedules, wake windows, and milestones.
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Learn More4 Month Sleep Schedule Guidelinesanchor
Every baby is unique and your little one’s day will depend on when your baby wakes, how long your baby naps, and individual cues. During these early months, it’s okay and to be expected that naps will vary quite a bit each day. These age-appropriate guidelines are not intended to be a rigid schedule, simply a guide for setting up a flexible routine.
Daytime Feedings: Every 2-3 hours
Goal Daytime Sleep: 3.5-4.5 hours
Sweet Spot Bedtime: 7-8 pm or 8-10 pm depending on your baby
Number of Naps: 3-5
Wake Windows: 90-120 minutes
For more details on these recommendations, keep reading.
What is a sample sleep and feeding schedule for a 4 month old? anchor
Here is a sample schedule for four month olds:
Text version of 4 Month Old Sample Schedule table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Wake and feeding |
| 8:30-9:45 am | Nap 1 |
| 9:50 am | Feeding |
| 11:20 am -12:40 pm | Nap 2 |
| 12:45 pm | Feeding |
| 2:20-3:30 pm | Nap 3 |
| 3:40 pm | Feeding |
| 5:20-5:50 pm | Cat Nap |
| 7:00 pm | Feeding |
| 7:45 pm | Bedtime |
| 10:00 pm | Optional Dream Feed |
Just remember, this is an example schedule for your four month old, so don’t try to follow it to the minute. As always, we need to stay flexible and follow our babies’ unique cues and wake windows for feeding times and naps.
What are wake windows for a 4 month old? anchor
A four month old’s wake window ranges from 1.5-2 hours. We typically see these wake windows start shorter in the morning and get longer as the day goes on.
Likewise, as babies get older, those wake windows will need to expand. At 17 weeks, not all babies will be ready for wake windows that last the full 120 minutes, even at the end of the day. On the other hand, at 21 weeks, a 90 minute wake window will be too short, even first thing in the morning.
Continue to watch your baby to help determine the best wake windows within this age-specific range. At around four months old, we really start to balance sleepy cues with the time on the clock to ensure we're setting our babies up for sleep success.
What are 4 month old milestones? anchor
Milestones are exciting moments for parents, and your four month old may have a few new ones to show you this month! Just keep in mind that milestones are based on age ranges, and every baby is unique. Speak with your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your baby not meeting milestones.
At four months old, here are some possible milestones you’ll see:
Your baby may now intentionally open and close their hands.
Your baby may put objects in their mouth now that hand-eye coordination is improving.
Your baby may roll from belly to back and start working on back-to-belly rolling!
Your baby may be able to sit with support, showing off their new core strength!
Your baby continues to coo and babble in response to interaction.
What are some activities for a 4 month old? anchor
At four months old, your baby is noticing more and more around them! Your baby is becoming a little explorer wanting to understand their world. Any activities that give your four month old a chance to explore their environment are great at this age.
Here are a few activities you can try:
Read books and sing with your baby during tummy time.
Use a playmat or play gym for tummy time and practicing rolling (Playmats are also great for promoting independent play.)
Give your baby toys that are safe to explore with their mouth.
Give your baby crinkle books with high-contrast colors and patterns.
Use a mirror to look in and make faces with your baby.
I also have some favorite toys for your four month old here.
How long should a 4 month old nap? anchor
Naps can still be inconsistent at four months old and can range from 20 to 120 minutes. We do want to cap any one nap at 2 hours. (Yes, that means you may need to wake your baby.) Keeping any single nap at no more than 2 hours allows enough time in the day for your baby to get those good daytime calories and ensures they're not getting too much daytime sleep. At four months, we also want to keep total daytime sleep under about 4.5 hours.
How many naps is best for a 4 month old? anchor
Typically, four month olds average about 4 naps a day, but taking 3-5 naps per day is normal, depending on the length of the naps. Short naps can still be common at this age. So if your baby is consistently taking short naps, your baby may need 5 naps.
As your baby approaches five months old, we do want to begin to aim for 3 naps a day by gently expanding wake windows and working on more solidified naps.
How much should a 4 month old sleep? anchor
Our goal at four months old is about 3.5-4.5 hours of daytime sleep and 10-12 hours of night sleep. As we think about how much sleep your baby should have at this age, you’ll want to remember that:
No nap should go longer than 2 hours.
Wake windows should be around 90 to 120 minutes.
Your baby’s night shouldn’t last longer than 12-12.5 hours.
When is bedtime for a 4 month old? anchor
I wish I had a universal answer for you. Here's what I know: By five months old, our goal bedtime is between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. Many four month olds do best with that 7:00 to 8:00 pm bedtime. However, some babies do hold on to a later bedtime just a bit longer. So please know, if your baby is thriving with a bedtime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm, there's no need to change anything yet.
Keep in mind that if your baby is struggling with false start bedtimes, night wakings, or early morning wakings, it might be time to consider shifting bedtime to the 7 to 8 pm range.
When should the last nap be for a 4 month old?anchor
If you're aiming for a 7:00 to 8:00 pm bedtime, we want the last nap to end between 5 and 6 pm. Ultimately, we’ll need 110-120 minutes of awake time before bed to make sure your baby is ready for sleep. Let that be your guide in determining when to start and end that last nap of the day. (See the schedule above for an example of how this might play out in a typical day.)
Is there a 4 month old sleep regression? anchor
Yes! Around four months old, there is a major change in sleep cycles that can disrupt sleep. We often refer to this change as the four month sleep regression. You may discover with these big changes what worked for your baby before doesn’t work now. Read my blog on the four month sleep regression to learn how to navigate it.
What do I do if my 4 month old needs a pacifier to sleep?anchor
Pacifiers are a tool that can be helpful for baby sleep. If you’re using a pacifier and it’s not disrupting your baby’s sleep, there is no need to worry.
If you’re finding your baby is frequently waking because of their pacifier, my Navigating Months 3 & 4 guide can help you by decreasing the need for your baby’s pacifier during the night. You can also read this blog about pacifiers and baby sleep for more tips.
Should I swaddle my 4 month old? anchor
Swaddling all depends on your baby’s skills at four months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics says babies can remain swaddled until they show signs of rolling. If your baby is showing signs they’re ready to roll, it’s time to transition out of the swaddle.
One product that can help with the transition is Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit (use code CARA15 for 15% off).
Can a 4 month old sleep on their stomach? anchor
For the first 12 months, we are always going to lay a baby on their back to sleep. However, if your baby can roll independently from their back to their belly, most pediatricians say tummy sleep is safe. Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.
Please keep in mind that it’s never safe for a swaddled baby to sleep on their stomach.
Why is my 4 month old baby fighting sleep? anchor
When a baby is overtired or undertired, it may be difficult for them to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. Following age-appropriate wake windows and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine can help prevent your four month old from fighting sleep.
Sleep may also be disrupted or difficult when your baby is experiencing a new milestone or going through the four month sleep regression!
How do I sleep train my 4 month old? anchor
I recommend waiting until your baby is five months old to begin formal sleep training. At four months old, babies just aren’t developmentally ready. Why? Melatonin is still regulating, sleep cycles are still shifting, and so much new learning is happening in your baby's brain. This 4 month sleep regression makes sleep training much more difficult. In fact, those who attempt sleep training at 4 months, often experience more crying and less success.
When do babies start sleeping through the night? anchor
Every baby is unique, so there is no specific age when babies start sleeping through the night. But, at four months old, some babies can sleep 10-12 hours with no wakings or feedings.
However, it is very normal for babies at four months to still need one feeding at night. For some babies, the dream feed is a good fit, while others may need a feeding a little later in the night. If you want more help working toward longer night stretches, I'm here for you. Start by reading more about the 4 month sleep regression to figure out which resource is developmentally appropriate for your baby.
Wherever you are on your baby’s sleep journey, I want to give you the tools to thrive!anchor
I have lots of classes, tools, and resources to help your baby become a great little sleeper. Read my blogs on the 4 Month Sleep Regression and Which Class Should I Take? to understand where your baby is developmentally and what resources will work best for you and your family.
Still have a 3 month old? Read my 3 month old sleep and feeding schedule. Already have a 5 month old? I've got you covered with my 5 month sleep schedules.
References
7 Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment
CDC. (2023). Important Milestones: Your Baby By Four Months
Futagi et. al. (2012). The Grasp Reflex and Moro Reflex in Infants: Hierarchy of Primitive Reflex Responses
Mindell et. al. (2008). Developmental aspects of sleep hygiene: Findings from the 2004 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll
Mindell and Williamson. (2017). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond
Tham, Schneider, and Broekman. (2017). Infant sleep and its relation with cognition and growth: a narrative review
Wielek et. al. (2019). On the development of sleep states in the first weeks of life
Keep in mind that the information and content on this blog is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. If you have questions about your child, please reach out to your doctor.
