10 month old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule

Now that your baby’s adjusted to dropping the third nap, it should be much easier to handle the 2-nap schedule without getting overtired. This means you can expect your baby’s bedtime to become much more predictable, and any night wakings that were caused by overtiredness should be reduced. It should also be easier to plan activities outside of the home with a foreseeable nap schedule.

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How much should a 10 month old sleep?

At 10 months old, we’ll aim for at least 13.5 hours of total sleep per day (11 - 12 hours at night, and 2 - 3 hours of day sleep over 2 naps). Most babies need 3 - 3.75 hours of awake time in between sleep periods at this age. 

[Note: for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.]

Top sleep tip for 10 month olds

If you’re looking for a more predictable routine, it’s a great time to transition to a “by the clock” schedule rather than one based primarily upon awake time. This means you’ll offer naps and bedtime about the same time each day, even if your baby wakes a little earlier or later than usual.

Be sure to target wake windows of 3 - 3.75 hours long when planning your baby’s schedule.

Sleep fact for 10 month old babies 

If your baby is helped to sleep at bedtime (e.g. they’re fed or rocked until asleep) and it’s no longer leading to restful sleep for the family, we recommend working on helping them fall asleep without assistance. Independent sleepers tend to have easier bedtimes and decreased night waking.

One way to accomplish this is through . If you're concerned about “,” know that sleep training encompasses many options for caregivers, including gentle methods that don't include letting your child cry by themselves.

Sample 10 month old sleep schedule

Note: Sleep needs vary by child and this chart should be viewed as an example.

Naptime schedule for a 10 month old

How long should a 10 month old nap?

A 10 month old’s nap schedule should allow for 2 - 3 hours of day sleep. Expect your baby to take two naps each day. Ideally, each will be about 60 - 120 minutes long. Most babies need between 3 - 3.75 hours of awake time in between naps at this age.

How many naps for a 10 month old?

Plan for two naps a day. The morning nap is typically 3 hours after waking in the morning, meaning the afternoon nap should be offered about 3.5 hours after your baby typically wakes from the first nap.

Here’s an example of what your day may look like at this age:

2-nap schedule

Bedtime for a 10 month old

What time should a 10 month old go to bed?

Ideally, your 10 month old will be getting 11 - 12 hours of sleep at night, so bedtime should be 12 - 13 hours after waking in the morning. That said, there are some babies who nap more than the average 2 - 3 hours during the day; if your baby takes very long naps, expect that night sleep will be shorter.

This is usually okay as long as your baby averages at least 10 hours of sleep each night.