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With over 10 years of experience as a sleep consultant, we share sample 4 month old sleep schedules with feedings. These sample schedules include milk feedings for breastfeeding and formula-feeding babies, solids, naps, and nighttime sleep.
4 Month Old Baby’s Sleep and Development
Pediatricians disagree high and low about when a baby is capable of sleeping through the night and only a handful of parents who reach this page will have a 4 month old who sleeps all night without even a single feeding (those that do are LUCKY!).
Most 4-month-olds need 11-12 hours at night and 3-4 hours during the day. And, many 4-month-olds are still eating 1-2 times a night and some naps are just 30 minutes. In addition, most 4 month olds will take 4 naps a day. Consequently, short naps are normal development at this age as it’s highly unusual for babies to take four 1-hour naps.
At this age, if you are not lucky enough to have a baby who sleeps through the night, many 4-month-olds are still waking 1-3 times to eat at night and many breastfeeding babies will continue to eat 1-2 times until 9+ months of age. On the other hand, formula-fed babies will often be night-weaned by 6 months old. More night feedings than that and likely you have a sleep association problem.
How Many Naps for a 4 Month Old?
Most 4 month old babies take 4 naps each day totaling 3-4 hours of sleep. The reason for so many naps is primarily because babies this age can’t stay awake longer than 1-2 hours at a time. They still have short wake windows so it’s still common to spread out daytime sleep among multiple sleep periods. However, some babies this age can stay awake longer and drop the fourth nap transitioning to a 3-nap schedule early.
When Your 4 Month Old’s Sleep Gets Worse
If your baby has recently started sleeping worse, you may want to read more about 4 month old baby sleep. Keep in mind that one of the biggest sleep challenges families face around 4 months is the 4 month sleep regression. During this time period, babies change their sleep permanently and will wake up frequently at night and take shorter naps.
Obviously, all babies vary, but here are some sample (loose) schedules you can use to make your own for your unique baby. Most babies, at this age, can’t be on a strict schedule because many babies are still taking shorter naps while their brain matures and they simply can not stay up very long to get to the next scheduled nap-time. So, at this age, it’s likely naps are still on the short side, but come frequently and every day will still likely be different.
Don’t worry, that will change!
Babies typically transition to just 3 naps around 6 months or 7 months.
If you’re having trouble with naps, you might be interested in helping your baby nap better.
4 Month Old Feeding
Breast milk or formula should be the primary nutrition for the first year and solids come secondary. Below are the amounts we recommend if your pediatrician recommends solids before 6 months, the age at which most are recommending now. For more information on starting your baby on solid food, we have a series of blog posts dedicated to the subject. We include recommendations about how and when to start solids, as well as helpful information on food allergies, recommended products, baby-friendly recipes, and more.
Average amounts per day:
• At least 5-6 breastfeeding sessions per day or 2 1/2 ounces formula for each pound of weight (approx. 20-30 ounces) (decrease solids if your baby is not taking in at least this much)
• Water is unnecessary (breast milk and formula have plenty of water in them).
And, if your pediatrician recommends solids this young (it is now recommend at 6+ months):
• Up to 1-2 servings baby cereal (1 serving = 1-2 Tablespoons dry)
• Up to 1-2 servings fruit (1 serving = 1-2 Tablespoons)
• Up to 1-2 servings vegetable (1 serving = 1-2 Tablespoons)
Note: With your doctor’s approval and guidance, you will start with just one teaspoon of solids (before mixing w/ breast milk or formula) and work your way up. Don’t forget to wait at least 3-4 days before introducing a new food for food allergy reasons.
“Thank you for your articles, they’ve shown me that my 4 month old baby is perfectly normal and I’m doing the right things in relation to his sleep. This is such a relief! So many sources just don’t seem to give realistic information about baby sleep – not for myself or for any other mum I know.
Great care has obviously been taken by The Baby Sleep Site in reflecting a realistic and true picture of what a ‘normal’ baby is. Thank you.”
-Sincerely, Elizabeth
Sample 4 Month Old Schedule
This schedule assumes a baby can stay up 1 hour 15 minutes before needing to sleep again. At this age, wake-time should be 1-2 hours TOPS, to avoid baby getting overtired.
| 4-Month-Old Sleep Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 6:30 AM | Wake and Breast milk or Formula |
| 7:15 AM | Solids (Only if your pediatrician has recommended starting this early) |
| 7:45 | Nap |
| 8:15-8:45 | Breast milk or Formula |
| 9:45-10:00 | Nap |
| 10:45-11:15 | Breast milk or Formula |
| 11:45-12:00 | Nap |
| 1:15-1:45 | Breast milk or Formula |
| 2:00 | Nap |
| 3:45-4:15 | Breast milk or Formula |
| 4:45 | Nap |
| 5:45 | Begin bedtime routine |
| 6:00 | Breast milk or Formula |
| 6:15 | Bedtime (Goal to be asleep at this time) |
+Plus probably 1-3 nighttime feedings
Note: This schedule follows the eat-play-sleep routine, however, it is sometimes hard to do at this age when the amount of time between naps is not long enough and your baby wakes too early from his nap because of a feeding.
Want more information about how to help your 4 month old sleep well? Check out our detailed case study about Nadia, Brad, and their 4 month old, Abigail.
Abigail’s Story
Read how they helped Abigail learn to sleep longer stretches at night and take better naps – and how they helped to change those sleep associations that were keeping her awake! Just join our VIP Members Area, and access the case study instantly. And that’s not all – our VIP Members Area is packed with additional premium content and resources: e-Books, assessments, more case studies, peer support, and more. It actually costs less to join than buying products separately! And best of all, members receive 20% of all consultation services – should you need more help!
Want FREE sleep help that you can put to use right away? Download a copy of our free guide, 5 Ways To Help Your Child Sleep Through The Night! The guide is available to download instantly, which means you can start using the techniques in it as early as tonight. So download now, and learn why your baby is waking at night – and what you can do about it.
Click here to learn more about how to get your free guide.
A better night’s sleep could be just a few clicks away. So don’t wait – download now, and start your journey to better sleep tonight!
You May Also Be Interested In:
- The 4 Month Sleep Regression: What It Is and How To Fix It
- Which Sleep Coaching Method Fits? (Members Area quiz)
- Abrupt Changes In Sleep Habits (Members Area article)
- 4 Month Sleep Regression Checklist
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Want to read about other family's experiences? Read parent stories and reviews here.
Need Baby and Toddler Sleep Help? We Have the Resources You Need!
For those persistent nighttime struggles, check out The 3 Step System to Help Your Baby Sleep. Using the same unique approach and practical tools for success, this e-book helps you and your baby sleep through the night.
Or, join our VIP Members Area packed with exclusive content and resources: e-Books, assessments, detailed case studies, expert advice, peer support, and more. It actually costs less to join than buying products separately! As a VIP member, you’ll also enjoy a weekly chat with an expert sleep consultant. And the best part – members receive 20% off all sleep consultation services!
heather says
Hello, My son is 4.5 months old. He has always woken every two hours at night to feed since day one. He never actually wakes up, just nurses and keeps on sleeping. He has never confused day/night.
The last month has gotten better with a few 2.5-4 hour stretches mixed in. During the day he can barely stay awake 2 hours. However, he takes 30min-1hr naps throughout the day. Usually, they average 45min. He used to have a good 2 hour nap in the middle of the day. But has not done that in over a month. He is usually asleep for the night between 5:30 and 6:30. He wakes up between 5am-7am depending on how the night went. And always has to be asleep within one hour of waking in the morning. He was also born a month early, so by some he is considered 3.5months old. Should I try putting him to sleep earlier for his naps? Maybe that would help the nights. He also nurses every time he goes to sleep during the day(so still every two hours)
Janelle Reid says
Hi @Heather, thank you for visiting the Baby Sleep Site. I am sorry you’ve been struggling with frequent wake ups from your little guy. I would go by his adjusted age at this point since he’s still so little, so know that it can be a little longer (between 4-6 months adjusted) before he can get on a schedule that’s more predictable. Lots is still changing at this early age. Here is a link to download a free guide with tips to help your baby sleep through the night. Do keep in mind at this age, he by no means needs to sleep through, but it should still give you some tips on how to teach him how to settle himself and sleep longer stretches at night: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-through-night-free-ebook/
We also have a free guide on naps, but more often nights begin to lengthen out first before naps get on a schedule.
I hope this helps! If you want more specific help, we’d love to work with you, and we have a ton of different options to work with you. If you’re interested please visit here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-toddler-sleep-consulting-services/
I hope this helps!
Aparna says
My baby follows this schedule, he sleeps at night too but my issues are as follows:
1. He wakes up very often at night, almost hourly. He keeps his eyes closed and cries out, only feed or pacifier soothes him.
2. During the day he is an extremely light sleeper and is up at the slightest sound. His naps are rarely more than 30mins.
He seems to be in decent mood thereafter but only for about 1-1:15 tops.
Is he getting enough rest? Do I need to something about this? Can I do something to increase night sleep duration so that I can rest 3/4 hours at a stretch? He is exclusively breastfed. Thanks.
Danielle says
Hi Aparna,
Thank you for visiting The Baby Sleep Site! I’m sorry to hear you’re having some trouble with your 4 month-old’s sleep. Based on your description, it sounds like the night waking may be related to the 4 month sleep regression, which almost all babies go through. We have an article with some help for that regression here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-sleep-patterns/4-month-sleep-regression/
Although some 4 month-olds take long naps, many do not lengthen their naps until closer to 6 months, so his naps may be normal. His times awake sound about average as well – this chart has some more information about that: https://www.babysleepsite.com/naps/baby-naps-chart-how-many-how-long/
I hope this helps!
Beth says
Question on the schedule above: you have nap at 2pm, then eat at 3:45pm….does this mean you would expect baby to sleep till about this time? Also for the 4:45pm nap, how long should that be to start bedtime at 5:45pm? Like, if he’s not awake by a certain time what time should I wake him?
Neosha says
@Beth – Thank you for reading and for your questions! These schedules are intended to be sample guidelines and will vary completely depending on when your baby wakes for the day and your own personal day-to-day happenings that impact when your little guy sleeps. We generally expect a 4-month old baby to sleep in short chunks, 30 min – 1.5 hours, so a shorter or longer nap is “okay” depending on your individual situation and how your baby sleeps overall. We generally like to let sleeping babies sleep, but this article overviews a few times when it’s okay to wake your baby: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/should-you-wake-a-sleeping-baby/ Hope this helps, Beth. Please keep reading!
Leslie says
What do you do when your baby has the opposite problem of waking to soon?
My 4 month old boy can only stay awake the 1 hour and 15 minutes as mentioned before getting cranky but never wakes up in time for the next feeding on the schedule (not even in the range – he would sleep for another few hours if I don’t wake him.) I’ve been sleep training for a while now so I wake him up every three hours to eat (breastfeeding) hoping he will sleep longer at night but he’s not sleeping through the night very well either so should I just let him sleep?
For example, he went down for his nap at noon and it’s now almost 2 pm which according to the schedule would be time for the next nap already, so it would skip the 1:15 – 1:45 feed and throw everything off. It’s been 3.5 hours since last feed and not a peep!
Janelle Reid says
Hi @Leslie, thank you for visiting the Baby Sleep Site! I am happy to help. There are certainly times to wake up your baby to help them get back on a schedule, and it sounds like your little guy is sleepy so it may help. Here is an article that outlines reasons for needing to wake, and hopefully it will help your nights improve soon: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/should-you-wake-a-sleeping-baby/
If you are still struggling to get on a schedule that works and are wondering what to do next, let us know and we’d love to help. We have a team of sleep consultants ready to help you get back on track. For more information on that, please feel free to visit here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-toddler-sleep-consulting-services/
Hang in there and I hope this helps!
Zane says
Hi,
so it means i should get my baby to fall asleeo for night at 6pm?
before he went at 8-9pm but got pleanty time of daytime sleep and together slept 14-16hours a day. Now he have been difficult to get to sleep during day,skipping naps and having onlg short ones. Also a lot more waking up during night. As i understand it is 4 months sleep regression.
He has bad sleep associations. He have slept in his crib for 1day (in hospital). I took him next to me in day two and now in some way i regret it. Though i enjoy co sleeping. He sleeps in my arms during day, sometimes can sleep in bed if i nurse him and then leave him. For him doesnt work put him drowsy to sleep in his crib.
Changes happened like in last week or two. My baby is almost 4months old now (will be in 5 days)
What should i start with? Fixing his schedule? Getting personalized plan from your site?
Janelle Reid says
Hi @Zane, thanks for your comment. I’m sorry you’ve been struggling recently with your 4 month old’s sleep. As you mentioned, it is common at this age so know you are not alone! The schedule you see is a generic schedule so you may need to deviate from it somewhat to accommodate for your baby as well as your family’s lifestyles (I know for us a 6 pm bedtime wasn’t ideal or else they’d barely get to see their dad after he got home from work so we worked our schedule around at 7pm bedtime). Here is a link to help you decide where to start – you can download our free guide with tips to get your baby sleeping through the night here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-sleep-through-night-free-ebook/
Now keep in mind, your baby may not be able to sleep straight through the night at this age, and that is ok and normal, but the guide will give you tips on where to start and how to get him sleeping independently without those sleep associations. If you need more help, we would love to work with you in a personalized plan, just let us know! We also have some in-between options as well (such as ebooks, exclusive content and Express Sleep Plans) if you do not need as hands on of an approach that our personalized plans provide. For more information and help determining what the best fit is for you, contact us anytime here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/contact
I hope this helps!
Sami V says
My 4 month old has been pretty good sleeper at night and not bad during the day, especially once I read your tips and got him down at the first sign of tiredness. He recently startes the sleep regression and I’m so glad I had read your atricles on that before I went any further with sleep training. I think we’re improving, naps are getting vack to normal. My problem is little guy is a TERRIBLE sleeper on the go – stroller or car seat. If I have to run an errand or go to the doctor for an emergency visit, he will be awake and inevitably screaming until I stop because I can’t stand it and calm him down. After a meltdown it seems to wear him out and he will then fall asleep. He’s been up 2-3 hours sometimes. I hate it and know he is overtired but there is not much I can do. We live half hour from most places so this is a fairly common occurance. I try to spread out any events or trips so he has a chill day at home to get good naps in. I’ve tried getting gim calm and tired before we go in the cat seat, which was a half hour sitting in the back of the car with the ac running while I try to nurse then rock him. At home, I just swaddle, give him his binky and lay him down and usually without much fuss he is out. I try swaddling over carseat belt before we leave but he still gets mad and cries. Any tips? Or is it just something we have to suffer through or remain homebound for a few more months?
Neosha says
@Sami V – Thank you for stopping by our sleepy little village and for your comment. We’re so glad to hear our tips have worked well for you! I’m sorry that you’re having troubles with your little guy sleeping on the go – my son was this way, too, all the way until he stopped napping so I feel your pain. You may be able to help him nap better on the go – this article overviews it – https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/teach-baby-sleep-on-the-go/ But, he may just prefer to sleep at home, too! Hang in there, Sami V, and let us know if we can be of any further help to you!
Trina says
Hello my name is Trina, first time mom of a 4 month old boy. He’s been sleeping really well for naps and also through the night as well. I put him to bed around 9 and he will sleep all night. I get him up at 6am for a bottle and put him right back to sleep. So my question is should I continue waking him for that 6am feed or try letting him wake up on his own for a feed? I’m not sure if anything pass 8 hours is safe for a baby to go without eating, I’m scared to over feed him. We haven’t tried solid yet, what should I do?
Janelle Reid says
Hi @Trina, thanks for stopping by the Baby Sleep Site! That’s wonderful your son has been doing such great stretches for you! Some babies are great sleepers from the beginning and can sleep through the night (8-12 hours) without a feed as long as you or your son’s doctor is not concerned about weight gain. I hope this helps!
Ali says
Hi all,
I have a 4 month old little boy, who is generally really happy in himself through the day. I’ve been following the appropriate sample schedules for naps for over a month now, and it had been working really well. But in the last fortnight or so, his night sleep is horrendous.
Falls asleep on his own, no crying or rocking, latest at about 8pm. But he will not stay asleep. Recently he wakes at 9-10 12-1 and then anything between every half hour and every two hours after that.
He’s exclusively breastfed, and has never slept through, but I do miss the early days where he slept 7-2 2-7 … Any advice warmly welcomed.
A very very sleepy first time mummy xx
Janelle Reid says
Hi @Ali, thank you for writing to us. I am so sorry that you are struggling with your son’s sleep! Around this age a big change happens to your baby’s sleep so what it sounds like you are experiencing is quite common at 4 months. Here is a link to more information on the 4 month sleep regression: https://www.babysleepsite.com/how-we-sleep/4-month-old-sleep-regression/
Hopefully his sleep smooths out in the next couple of weeks, but if it doesn’t and you need more help, let us know! We have many resources on our site for additional sleep help, feel free to contact us directly anytime and we can help point you in the direction of more help: https://www.babysleepsite.com/contact
Hang in there!
Mary says
Hi there- I’m wondering about the Ferber method with wake ups in the middle of the night. Are we supposed to follow any time schedule at all in terms of if he or she wakes up, do we wait a certain amount of time to go in? Right now there are some cases when my baby boy wakes up and fusses a bit, I put in his binky and he falls back down. Other nights middle of night he fusses but it’s not the binky he wants necessarily. Anyway, what are the “rules” about middle of night fussiness/wake ups/ feedings? I’m breastfeeding btw. Thanks in advance!!
Janelle Reid says
@Mary, Hi there, thank you for commenting! It can be so tricky to determine why your baby is waking up – habit? Hunger? Wet diaper? At this age most babies do still need somewhere between 1-3 feedings and anything beyond that would be a sleep association that you would address through your preferred sleep training method. With any sleep training, the main thing to do is to create a plan in advance, so you are not making decisions when you are stressed out with a crying baby. Just because someone did it someway and it worked, you may decide to do something different – such as 5, 10, 15 etc minutes of crying before you go in and soothe your baby to sleep. If your baby has a sleep association to nursing and prefers to fall asleep at the breast, you will want to begin to try to put him down when he is still awake, but drowsy, to teach him how to fall asleep on his own. Here is an article/video that will help you determine what the wake ups are for and how to respond: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/baby-night-feedings-when-necessary/
Let us know how it turns out and if you need anything else!
Lynsey says
My baby does the opposite what everyone else’s babies are doing. He sleeps great at night. Still wakes for a 3:30 feeding but I’m ok with that at this point ( he’s 4 1/2 months old) but he will not nap during the day. I’m not sure what to do. I’ve tried the cry it out method but he will carry on for well over and hour. Makes me feel terrible. Is this ok to keep doing? I’ve had eight children but I’ve never had such a horrible napper. I’m scratching my head on this one.
Debbye @ The Baby Sleep Site says
Hi @Linsey – Thank you for visiting! Don’t give up on your baby’s naps! 4 months is a common trouble spot for baby sleep, and naps can be an issue too! Keep things dark and quiet, and keep offering those naps! Use the sample schedules as a guide, and if he will not fall asleep in about 45-60 minutes, take a little break, get out of the room, and then try again. We also have an ebook available for purchase that may really help! This ebook, Mastering Naps and Schedules is available for purchase here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/mastering-naps/
Good luck and hang in there!