10 Month Old Sleep Schedule: How Much Should a 10 Month Old Sleep?
Discover the perfect 10 month old sleep schedule with expert-backed wake windows, sample routines, and practical tips to help your little explorer get the rest they need. Your sanity starts here!
Updated: 22 Apr 2025
10 Month Old Sleep Schedule: How Much Should a 10 Month Old Sleep?
Discover the perfect 10 month old sleep schedule with expert-backed wake windows, sample routines, and practical tips to help your little explorer get the rest they need. Your sanity starts here!
Updated: 22 Apr 2025
By 10 months, you've probably logged enough sleepless hours to qualify for an honorary degree in "midnight negotiations." But here's the good news: your baby's sleep is about to get more predictable (promise!). This guide breaks down exactly what your curious crawler needs for better sleep, backed by both science and real-parent survival tactics.
Editor's Note
Editor's Note: For children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development. Each child is unique, and sleep needs vary. The following information is a guide - don’t worry about meeting exact totals.
Tired of tracking wake windows on zero sleep? You're not alone! That's why we created Riley, the app helping parents reclaim their sanity (and maybe even enjoy a hot cup of coffee).
Understanding Sleep Needs For Your 10 Month Old
At 10 months old, your little one has transformed from that tiny newborn into a busy explorer with places to go and things to grab! This developmental leap comes with changing sleep needs:
Total Sleep Needed: 12 - 14 hours in a 24-hour period
Nighttime Sleep: 10 - 12 hours (though not always consecutive!)
Daytime Sleep: 2 - 3 hours typically spread across 2 naps
The science tells us something important: sleep isn't just rest—it's when your baby's brain processes all those exciting new skills. Those adorable first steps and babbling "conversations" are actually being consolidated during proper sleep!
Is your baby hitting these numbers exactly? Probably not! These are averages, and your unique little human might need slightly more or less.
Sample 10 Month Old Sleep Chart
- Average total sleep: 12 - 14 hours
- Number of naps: 2
- Goal daytime sleep: 2 - 3 hours
- Wake windows: 3 - 4 hours
Wake Windows For 10 Month Olds
Wake windows (the time your baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps) are your secret weapon for timing naps just right. At 10 months, most babies thrive with:
Morning Wake Window: 3 - 3.5 hours
Midday Wake Window: 3 - 3.5 hours
Evening Wake Window: 3.5 - 4 hours before bedtime
Watch for sleep cues (eye rubbing, ear pulling, fussiness) rather than just watching the clock. Sometimes your baby will signal they're ready before their "scheduled" naptime!
Sample Sleep Schedule For 10 Month Olds
Here's what a day might look like for your 10 month old (and remember, this is a framework, not a strict rulebook!):
7:00 AM: Wake Up
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 - 11:30 AM: Morning nap (1.5 hours)
11:30 AM: Wake up, play, lunch
3:00 - 4:30 PM: Afternoon nap (1.5 hours)
4:30 PM: Wake up, playtime
6:00 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Begin bedtime routine (bath, books, cuddles)
8:00 PM: Bedtime
Remember that babies are wonderfully unpredictable humans, not robots! This schedule will flex and change based on your little one's needs, your family rhythm, and let's be honest—those pesky molars that decide to appear out of nowhere.
Top Tips For Better Sleep For Your 10 Month Old
Consistency is your superpower – Your baby's brain craves predictable patterns. Even when it feels impossible (hello, travel days!), try to keep naps and bedtime within 30 minutes of their usual time.
Create sleep cues that travel – Associate a specific sound (white noise) or song with sleep time. These portable sleep associations can work magic during transitions or travel.
Respect the pre-sleep wind-down – At 10 months, babies need about 20 - 30 minutes of calming activities before sleep. Racing from playground to crib rarely works!
Address separation anxiety head-on – This is peak "where did you go?!" age. Brief check-ins during sleep training can reassure your baby that you still exist even when they can't see you.
Beware the overtired trap – A 10 month old who misses their sleep window doesn't just get sleepy; they get a second wind of hyper energy followed by complete meltdown. Timing is everything!
You know those days when everything goes wrong, naps are refused, and bedtime is a disaster? That's not a parenting failure. That's just Tuesday. Tomorrow is a new day!
Can I Sleep Train My 10 Month Old?
Yes! Ten months is actually an excellent time for sleep training if that aligns with your parenting philosophy.
Sleep training doesn't have to mean "cry it out" if that doesn't feel right for your family. Options range from gradual methods like chair sitting or the Sleep Lady Shuffle to more direct approaches.
Whatever method you choose, consistency (there's that word again!) is your best friend. Most approaches show significant progress within 3 - 7 days when applied consistently.
Conclusion
Creating a 10 month old sleep schedule that actually works means balancing routine with flexibility and science with intuition. Remember that even with the perfect schedule on paper, real babies have real opinions about sleep! Your calm, confident approach matters more than perfection.
Most importantly, be gentle with yourself through this process. Every baby who has ever existed eventually learns to sleep well. Yours will too. In the meantime, caffeine, grace, and maybe the occasional Netflix binge while holding a sleeping baby are completely acceptable coping strategies.
10 Month Old Sleep Schedule FAQs
Q: My 10 month old was sleeping through the night, but suddenly started waking again. What's happening?
A: It may be a sleep regression! This common hiccup usually stems from separation anxiety, teething, or practicing new skills (like standing in the crib at 3 AM). Stay consistent with your responses, avoid creating new sleep crutches, and this phase typically passes within 2 weeks.
Q: Should my 10 month old be on one nap or two?
A: Most 10 month olds still need two solid naps. The transition to one nap typically happens between 15 - 18 months. If your baby fights the second nap, try adjusting the timing rather than eliminating it.
Q: My baby sleeps less than what you've recommended. Should I be worried?
A: Not necessarily! Some babies naturally need less sleep. The key question is: How's their mood? A well-rested baby who happens to need less sleep will be happy and engaged during wake times. A sleep-deprived baby will show persistent fussiness, short attention span, and hyperactivity.
Q: Is it too late to sleep train if we've been co-sleeping?
A: It's never too late to make changes! Just understand that transitions from co-sleeping often take longer (2 - 3 weeks versus the typical one week). Start with having your baby fall asleep in their own space, even if you later bring them into your bed, as the falling-asleep skills are most important.
Q: My baby was sleep trained, but regressed after an illness. Do we start over?
A: Not from scratch! After illness, give your baby 1 - 2 nights of extra support, then return to your previous methods. They'll typically get back on track within 3 - 5 days, much faster than the original training.
Share this article:
By 10 months, you've probably logged enough sleepless hours to qualify for an honorary degree in "midnight negotiations." But here's the good news: your baby's sleep is about to get more predictable (promise!). This guide breaks down exactly what your curious crawler needs for better sleep, backed by both science and real-parent survival tactics.
Editor's Note
Editor's Note: For children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development. Each child is unique, and sleep needs vary. The following information is a guide - don’t worry about meeting exact totals.
Tired of tracking wake windows on zero sleep? You're not alone! That's why we created Riley, the app helping parents reclaim their sanity (and maybe even enjoy a hot cup of coffee).
Understanding Sleep Needs For Your 10 Month Old
At 10 months old, your little one has transformed from that tiny newborn into a busy explorer with places to go and things to grab! This developmental leap comes with changing sleep needs:
Total Sleep Needed: 12 - 14 hours in a 24-hour period
Nighttime Sleep: 10 - 12 hours (though not always consecutive!)
Daytime Sleep: 2 - 3 hours typically spread across 2 naps
The science tells us something important: sleep isn't just rest—it's when your baby's brain processes all those exciting new skills. Those adorable first steps and babbling "conversations" are actually being consolidated during proper sleep!
Is your baby hitting these numbers exactly? Probably not! These are averages, and your unique little human might need slightly more or less.
Sample 10 Month Old Sleep Chart
- Average total sleep: 12 - 14 hours
- Number of naps: 2
- Goal daytime sleep: 2 - 3 hours
- Wake windows: 3 - 4 hours
Wake Windows For 10 Month Olds
Wake windows (the time your baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps) are your secret weapon for timing naps just right. At 10 months, most babies thrive with:
Morning Wake Window: 3 - 3.5 hours
Midday Wake Window: 3 - 3.5 hours
Evening Wake Window: 3.5 - 4 hours before bedtime
Watch for sleep cues (eye rubbing, ear pulling, fussiness) rather than just watching the clock. Sometimes your baby will signal they're ready before their "scheduled" naptime!
Sample Sleep Schedule For 10 Month Olds
Here's what a day might look like for your 10 month old (and remember, this is a framework, not a strict rulebook!):
7:00 AM: Wake Up
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 - 11:30 AM: Morning nap (1.5 hours)
11:30 AM: Wake up, play, lunch
3:00 - 4:30 PM: Afternoon nap (1.5 hours)
4:30 PM: Wake up, playtime
6:00 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Begin bedtime routine (bath, books, cuddles)
8:00 PM: Bedtime
Remember that babies are wonderfully unpredictable humans, not robots! This schedule will flex and change based on your little one's needs, your family rhythm, and let's be honest—those pesky molars that decide to appear out of nowhere.
Top Tips For Better Sleep For Your 10 Month Old
Consistency is your superpower – Your baby's brain craves predictable patterns. Even when it feels impossible (hello, travel days!), try to keep naps and bedtime within 30 minutes of their usual time.
Create sleep cues that travel – Associate a specific sound (white noise) or song with sleep time. These portable sleep associations can work magic during transitions or travel.
Respect the pre-sleep wind-down – At 10 months, babies need about 20 - 30 minutes of calming activities before sleep. Racing from playground to crib rarely works!
Address separation anxiety head-on – This is peak "where did you go?!" age. Brief check-ins during sleep training can reassure your baby that you still exist even when they can't see you.
Beware the overtired trap – A 10 month old who misses their sleep window doesn't just get sleepy; they get a second wind of hyper energy followed by complete meltdown. Timing is everything!
You know those days when everything goes wrong, naps are refused, and bedtime is a disaster? That's not a parenting failure. That's just Tuesday. Tomorrow is a new day!
Can I Sleep Train My 10 Month Old?
Yes! Ten months is actually an excellent time for sleep training if that aligns with your parenting philosophy.
Sleep training doesn't have to mean "cry it out" if that doesn't feel right for your family. Options range from gradual methods like chair sitting or the Sleep Lady Shuffle to more direct approaches.
Whatever method you choose, consistency (there's that word again!) is your best friend. Most approaches show significant progress within 3 - 7 days when applied consistently.
Conclusion
Creating a 10 month old sleep schedule that actually works means balancing routine with flexibility and science with intuition. Remember that even with the perfect schedule on paper, real babies have real opinions about sleep! Your calm, confident approach matters more than perfection.
Most importantly, be gentle with yourself through this process. Every baby who has ever existed eventually learns to sleep well. Yours will too. In the meantime, caffeine, grace, and maybe the occasional Netflix binge while holding a sleeping baby are completely acceptable coping strategies.
10 Month Old Sleep Schedule FAQs
Q: My 10 month old was sleeping through the night, but suddenly started waking again. What's happening?
A: It may be a sleep regression! This common hiccup usually stems from separation anxiety, teething, or practicing new skills (like standing in the crib at 3 AM). Stay consistent with your responses, avoid creating new sleep crutches, and this phase typically passes within 2 weeks.
Q: Should my 10 month old be on one nap or two?
A: Most 10 month olds still need two solid naps. The transition to one nap typically happens between 15 - 18 months. If your baby fights the second nap, try adjusting the timing rather than eliminating it.
Q: My baby sleeps less than what you've recommended. Should I be worried?
A: Not necessarily! Some babies naturally need less sleep. The key question is: How's their mood? A well-rested baby who happens to need less sleep will be happy and engaged during wake times. A sleep-deprived baby will show persistent fussiness, short attention span, and hyperactivity.
Q: Is it too late to sleep train if we've been co-sleeping?
A: It's never too late to make changes! Just understand that transitions from co-sleeping often take longer (2 - 3 weeks versus the typical one week). Start with having your baby fall asleep in their own space, even if you later bring them into your bed, as the falling-asleep skills are most important.
Q: My baby was sleep trained, but regressed after an illness. Do we start over?
A: Not from scratch! After illness, give your baby 1 - 2 nights of extra support, then return to your previous methods. They'll typically get back on track within 3 - 5 days, much faster than the original training.
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