A 9-month-old baby is hitting some pretty big developmental milestones – they’re sitting up, learning new skills, and maybe teething. Wow! And, yes, a 9-month-old’s sleep is continuing to develop, too.
To help you understand your 9-month-old’s sleep schedule, this article answers many of the most common questions about a 9-month-old’s sleep schedule, including “How many naps does a 9-month-old take?” and “Is there a 9-month sleep regression?”
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For guidance on how to help your baby fall asleep independently and sleep for longer, download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™.
Developed with pediatric sleep experts, this innovative app walks you through the sleep coaching process, from bedtime routines to nap transitions to sleep regressions. It’s easy, it’s actually fun (yes!), and it’s effective: most users saw results in as little as a week.
A 9-Month-Old Sleep Schedule Example
Here's a sample schedule for a 9-month-old baby. A 9-month-old usually takes two naps a day and stays awake for 2.5-3.5 hours at a time. Keep in mind that every baby is unique, so don't be surprised if your little one's sleep schedule looks a bit different than the one here.
That said, when creating your baby’s sleep schedule, focus less on the clock and more on their wake windows - the amount of time your baby is awake between naps or their last nap and bedtime. – and sleepy cues – the signs they’re tired, like yawning or rubbing their eyes.
If you’re unfamiliar with wake windows or sleepy cues, check out the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™. This easy-to-use, groundbreaking app is designed to help you use these tools to teach your baby how to fall asleep faster and stay asleep long.
Tip: While this schedule is just a sample, the wake window guidance here is accurate for a 9-month-old, so do use that as a guide for your own baby.
Sample Sleep Schedule for 3-Month-Olds with 2 Naps:
Can a 9-month-old baby sleep through the night?
Yes, most 9-month-old babies sleep through the night, though occasionally some still need an early-morning feeding between 3-5 AM.
Sleep coached babies do sleep for longer stretches than babies who are not sleep coached. In addition to helping consolidate your baby’s sleeps at night, sleep coaching strengthens your baby’s natural self-soothing ability. This means that if your baby wakes in the night, they’re more likely to put themselves back to bed than call out for you unexpectedly.
The Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ can help you achieve a more predictable night sleep. It offers step-by-step expert guidance on easy, effective methods for teaching your baby how to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
How Many Hours Should a 9-Month-Old Sleep in a Day?
Continue aiming for about 14 hours over a 24-hour period, just as when your baby was 7-months. A strong sleep schedule like this can help your baby grow physically, mentally, and emotionally.
How much nighttime sleep for a 9-month-old?
A 9-month-old should sleep about 11-12 hours every night to keep meeting a baby’s 9-month-developmetal milestones!
How much daytime sleep for a 9-month-old?
A 9-month-old should sleep about 2-3 hours during the day. That total is divided between 2 naps, the 2nd of which will likely be shorter.
Should a 9-month-old drop a nap?
Most 9-month-olds are on 2 naps and should remain on 2 naps through their first birthday. If you notice your baby is resisting their 2nd nap or it’s becoming shorter, try to push that nap back to lengthen their wake window.
Why Do Babies Need Naps?
A baby’s sleep cycle includes two types of sleep, REM Sleep and NREM Sleep. NREM Sleep is responsible for memory consolidation, while REM Sleep helps cognitive functions.
NREM Sleep appears earlier in your baby’s sleep cycle than REM Sleep. Therefore, naps are chock full of memory nourishing NREM Sleep, and that’s why we suggest holding off on your baby’s 2-to-1 nap transition for as long as possible.
For more on the science of your baby’s sleep and sleep coaching, including how their – and your! – circadian rhythm works, read our article on how sleep coaching works with and supports your baby’s natural functions.
What is a 9-month-old’s wake window?
Ah, speaking of: Your 9-month-olds will now be awake longer between sleeps: between 2 hours 45 minutes to 3.5 hours. So much great bonding time!
Is there a 9-month-old regression?
Yes and no. Some babies experience a regression around 8 months, some around 10, and, yes, sometimes babies experience a sleep regression around 9 months. (We told you, every baby really is unique!)
Whenever this particular regression begins, it, like all sleep regressions, is caused by your baby achieving major milestones. And your baby has certainly hit some milestones lately. That said, some causes of a 9-month sleep regression could include:
Improved Motor Skills: Many babies this age are more in control of their hands, and this shows when they trade an object from one hand to another or rake food with their fingers. These are exciting developments for them, and your baby may practice in the night or just wake up thinking about their new skill.
Sitting Solo: Most 9-month-olds are sitting by themselves, and some may be making moves toward crawling. You can tell your baby is about to crawl when they begin leaning forward while sitting, often to touch or grab a specific object. Again, this development is exciting for your bay, and they may want to spend their nights sitting, rather than sleeping!
Teething: Babies typically begin teething between 6-12 months, and, yes, teething can disrupt sleep from time-to-time. You can help alleviate your baby’s teething discomfort by giving them a gentle gum massage, offering a teething ring, and letting them chew on a chilled piece of fruit or mental spoon.
There are over-the-counter medicines for teething babies, but always check with your pediatrician before using this type of product.
Separation Anxiety: A totally normal – and welcome – emotion in babies, separation anxiety in babies begins when they understand object permanence: that people still exist when they are out of sight. This is a major milestone worth celebrating – but it can also lead to a sleep regression: your baby wakes in the night and wonders where you are.
How to minimize separation anxiety in 9-month-olds
These are tried-and-true ways to help your baby overcome separation anxiety:
- Peek-a-Boo: This isn’t simply a game – when you “disappear” and “reappear,” you’re subtly letting your baby know you’ll always be back.
- “I’ll Be Right Back”: This game is basically a larger, more interactive peek-a-boo – you tell your baby you’ll be right back, step out of the room, wait 10-20 seconds, and then “reappear” with a cheery, “I’m back!” Playing this over and over, and extending the amount of time you’re “gone,” can help build your baby’s alone endurance.
- Independent Play: Babies as young as 6 months old should be left for 5-10 minutes – with a baby monitor – to play alone. If done consistently, independent play helps your baby understand that being alone is totally fine and safe. Independent play also boosts creativity and focus.
For more on how to minimize sleep regressions, check out this article we wrote outlining why specific sleep regressions happen. It’s pretty fascinating – and provides a handy summary of major milestones to come!
And if you’d like additional insights into your baby’s sleep – and customized sleep coaching methods - download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™. We know from experience how frustrating sleep coaching can be. That’s why we created this app: to take the guesswork out of your baby’s sleep and make sleep coaching easy, fun, and a growth opportunity for you and your baby.
