Baby Sleep Schedule: 4 to 12 Months (Canada)

Last updated: November 2026. Figures checked against the official sources listed at the end of this page on October 2, 2026.

Short answer: Babies aged 4 to 11 months need 12 to 16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps, under Canadian guidelines. The Canadian Paediatric Society says most babies take three naps a day by 4 months and move to two longer naps, in the morning and afternoon, sometime between 6 and 12 months.

Sleep by stage: Newborn (0–3 months) · Baby (4–12 months) · Toddler (12–24 months)

Safe-sleep basics (back to sleep, own crib, cradle or bassinet in your room for the first 6 months, nothing loose in the sleep space) are on our sleep hub.

How much sleep from 4 to 12 months

Canadian guidelines recommend 12 to 16 hours of good-quality sleep in 24 hours, including naps, for babies aged 4 to 11 months. The CPS says babies this age sleep an average of 14 hours a day, but more or less can be normal for your baby. The big change across these months is the nap pattern.

Age Typical naps (CPS) What changes
4 months Three: morning, afternoon and early evening Sleep becomes more predictable
6 to 12 months Three naps become two longer naps, morning and afternoon Room sharing is recommended to 6 months
Any age Naps from about 20 minutes to 3 hours or more can both be normal Every baby's needs differ

Source: Canadian Paediatric Society, Healthy sleep for your baby and child.

4 to 6 months: three naps and a routine

By 4 months most babies need three naps a day. This is a good time to settle on a bedtime routine you can repeat every night; many parents use the CPS "3 Bs": bath, book, bed. Put your baby down drowsy but awake when you can. Your baby will stir during the night; the CPS suggests giving them a few minutes to try to settle on their own before going to them. Room sharing, with your baby in their own crib, cradle or bassinet in your room, is recommended for the first 6 months.

7 to 9 months: from three naps to two

Somewhere between 6 and 12 months, the early-evening nap usually goes and your baby settles into two longer naps. At around 6 months, if your baby wakes and cries, the CPS suggests checking whether anything is wrong (too warm or too cold, for example) but trying not to take them out of the crib: stroke their forehead or talk softly so they know you are there. This helps them learn to settle back to sleep on their own.

10 to 12 months: protecting the routine

Keep daytime and bedtime sleep as regular as you can. The CPS advises not putting your baby to bed with a bottle, which can lead to choking or tooth decay, so finish the feed before the crib. Babies who are learning to stand often practise in the crib; keep the crib clear and follow the crib maker's instructions on mattress height. During the day, Canadian guidelines say babies should not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time, for example in a stroller or high chair.

Frequently asked questions

When do babies drop to two naps?

The CPS says that between 6 and 12 months most babies go from three naps a day to two longer naps, in the morning and afternoon.

My baby only naps 20 minutes. Is that normal?

It can be. The CPS says some babies nap for as little as 20 minutes at a time while others sleep for 3 hours or more.

Should I go to my baby as soon as they wake at night?

The CPS says your baby will stir during the night and suggests giving them a few minutes to settle on their own. From about 6 months, if they cry, check on them and comfort them in the crib.

Can my baby fall asleep with a bottle?

The CPS advises against putting a baby to bed with a bottle because it can lead to choking or tooth decay.

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Related guides and tools

Sources

  1. Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0–4 years) (checked October 2, 2026)
  2. Canadian Paediatric Society (Caring for Kids): Healthy sleep for your baby and child (checked October 2, 2026)
  3. Canadian Paediatric Society (Caring for Kids): Safe sleep for babies (checked October 2, 2026)

This page is general information, not medical advice. Follow your child's health-care provider and the product manufacturer's instructions.