9 Month Old Sleep Schedule
In this article, I’ll share a sample 9 month old sleep schedule and how to implement the sleep schedule with your baby. We will also cover common developmental milestones at 9 months old, some of which that may impact your baby’s sleep.
As a certified pediatric sleep consultant and also a mom of 4 (with #5 on the way), I’ll share what has worked great for me personally as a mom and also the schedule and guidance I recommend with my clients.
9 Month Old Sleep Schedule
9 Month Old Sleep Schedule
Typical Baby Sleep Needs And Wake Windows at 9 Months Old
It’s helpful to know what you can likely expect for a 9 month old baby based on their age and development. Of course, each individual baby is different. These guidelines are a good starting point and will apply to most 9 month old babies.
Most 9 month old babies need about 14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. This includes both overnight sleep and naps.
Most 9 month old babies have a maximum awake time (also sometimes called a “wake window”) of about 2.5 to 3 hours. Once awake for 3 hours, a 9 month old will start to become overtired and fussy until they go to sleep.
Tip: The maximum awake time, or “wake window”, is measured from the end of one period of sleep to the start of the next (ex: when they wake up in the morning to the start of their 1st nap). It’s common to see wake windows a little shorter in the morning and then a bit longer later in the day.
Typically, a 9 month old baby will have 2 naps per day. The total maximum nap time per day should be 4 hours, with the rest of the total sleep needs coming from overnight sleep.
9 Month Old Sample Sleep Schedule
Here is what a sample daily schedule, including both naps and overnight sleep, might look like for a 9 month old baby. Keep in mind that the schedule can vary depending on the family’s schedule (ex: preferred morning wake time). Feel free to adjust the specific times of this example to meet your needs. With the tips below, you and you baby can have a great sleep experience at 9 months old.
7:00am - morning wake time
9:30am - nap #1 (max 2 hours)
2:30pm - nap #2 (max 2 hours)
7:30pm - bedtime
It’s important to remember that a baby’s schedule can vary from day to day. Remember to focus not just on the clock but also on cues for sleepiness and hunger, wake windows, and your baby’s nap lengths that specific day so that you can adjust the schedule as needed.
How To Implement Your 9 Month Old Sleep Schedule
To customize this schedule for your baby and family, I recommend you first decide what time you want to start your baby’s day. You can then build the rest of the schedule based on the preferred morning wake time. This is often based on work schedules, other siblings’ school schedules, or simply preference.
The timing of the final nap of the day is very important. You want to be sure that the wake window between the end of the last nap and your target bedtime is the full length of the recommended wake window, 2.5 - 3 hours. This might mean waking baby up from their last nap. If there is less wake time between the end of the last nap and bedtime, your baby may not be tired enough for sleep. This could result in taking a longer time to fall asleep or disrupted overnight sleep.
A 9 month old will thrive with a bedtime routine, so now is a great time to introduce one if you haven’t already. The consistency and familiarity of a bedtime routine can help prepare your baby for sleep and becomes a positive sleep association.
Baby Development at 9 Months Old
It’s helpful to understand a few of the key developmental milestones that your baby is going through at this age. Change in baby’s development is both frequent and exciting, as you’ve undoubtedly learned by now. These changes bring wonderful new joys, and occasionally challenges, each day. Some of these developmental changes can impact sleep, which is why it’s important to be aware of what to expect. Here are some milestones you may see around 9 months old.
Gross Motor Development: by this age, many babies can sit without any assistance, crawl, and may even be pulling themselves up to stand. Many babies, eager to practice their new skills, will pull themselves up to standing in their crib right when they are put down for a nap or bedtime. This can cause a temporary disruption in how quickly they fall asleep until the excitement of the new skill wears off.
Tip: If your baby is pulling themselves up to standing in their crib, first of all make sure that you lower their crib mattress for safety. Next, pay extra close attention to wake windows and signs of tiredness to ensure you’re putting your baby down to sleep when they are most likely to fall asleep quickly.
Social And Emotional Development: babies at this age likely respond to their own name and may have a clear preference for their family or caregivers as opposed to strangers. They may also show signs of separation anxiety when you leave the room, which can look like fussiness, crying, or distress. This is another change that can impact sleep; your baby may show temporary distress when you leave the room after putting them down for naps and bedtime.
Tip: With separation anxiety as a potential new challenge at this age, it’s doubly important to pay close attention to wake windows and signs of tiredness. Putting your baby down when they’re tired but not overtired is a key to success as you navigate this developmental milestone.
Curiosity: you may notice that your 9 month old baby has become much more curious and interested in the world around them. Thanks to continued cognitive development and motor skills development, a 9 month old will explore how things such as toys (and kitchen cabinets, and drawers, and just about anything else they can reach!) works.
What If We’re REally Struggling With Sleep And Need More Help?
If you are concerned that your baby is struggling with sleep and still isn’t sleeping through the night, you have plenty of options. By this age, barring any unique health issues, babies are more than capable of sleeping through the night.
I work to support families one-on-one with a customized sleep plan that aligns with your individual values, preferences, lifestyles, and schedule. With customized support including multiple coaching calls with me and a plan created just for you, your baby will be getting 10+ hours of overnight sleep within a few weeks. You will have a personalized daytime routine that fits your schedule and lifestyle, specific age-appropriate guidance and strategies to help your baby sleep better, and tips for navigating future disruptions to sleep should they occur as your baby gets older.
Click here to learn more and see if this is a fit for you and your family.
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