Sleep can still feel elusive during months two and three. While short naps and night wakings are developmentally normal at this stage, this is also a meaningful window to begin laying the groundwork for healthy, sustainable sleep habits.

If your baby is between 6–12 weeks old, this guide will help you:

Understand what’s normal for 2–3 month old sleep
Prevent overtiredness
Create an optimal sleep environment
Begin gently encouraging independent settling
Build a healthy sleep foundation for the months ahead

If your baby is younger than 6–8 weeks, start with my guide to newborn sleep tips for 0–2 months, where I cover what’s normal in the earliest weeks.

What’s Normal for 2–3 Month Old Sleep?

At this age, your baby’s circadian rhythm is still developing, and sleep cycles remain short. You can expect:

Naps that last 30–60 minutes
Occasional longer naps (especially earlier in the day)
Night wakings for feeds (still every 3 hours)
Greater alertness during wake periods

Independence is not expected yet — but consistency now makes a difference later.

Babies this age typically sleep about 14–17 hours in a 24-hour period, though this varies.

4 Tips to Support Healthy Sleep in Months 2–3

Tip #1: Avoid an Overtired Baby

Overtiredness is one of the biggest sleep disruptors at this stage.

At:

6–8 weeks → Aim for awake windows of about 60 minutes max
10–12 weeks → Some babies can stretch to 60–90 minutes

Awake windows shift quickly during the first three months. If you’re still in the early newborn phase, you can read more about shorter awake windows in my 0–2 month newborn sleep guide.

If your baby stays awake too long, stress hormones rise — making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Signs your baby may be overtired:

Fighting naps
Frequent waking
Short catnaps
Seeming wired but fussy

Watching awake windows and early sleepy cues is key.

And despite what well-meaning family members may say — more daytime sleep does not cause night problems at this age. Adequate daytime sleep actually supports better nights.

Tip #2: Establish an Optimal Sleep Environment

By 2–3 months, environmental consistency becomes especially helpful.

To optimize sleep:

Make the room dark (think cave-like — blackout curtains are ideal)
Use consistent white noise for naps and nighttime
Keep temperature between 68–72°F
Limit stimulating toys or décor in the sleep space (no mobiles or floating lights)

Darkness supports melatonin production, and repetition builds predictability.

Your baby begins to associate these cues with sleep.

Tip #3: Create a Simple Pre-Sleep Routine

Around 6–8 weeks, you can introduce a predictable routine before sleep.

This does not need to be elaborate — consistency matters more than perfection.

Nap routine (about 10 minutes):

Diaper change
Sleep sack
Brief book or song
Cuddle, rock, bounce, etc
Into crib

Bedtime routine (20–30 minutes):

Feed
Bath (optional)
Pajamas
Book
Song
Cuddle, rock, bounce, etc
Into crib

Repetitive sequencing signals safety and sleep readiness.

Over time, this helps your baby anticipate sleep and transition more smoothly.

Tip #4: Gently Encourage Independent Settling

Between 2–3 months, you can begin offering opportunities — not pressure — for your baby to fall asleep with a bit less assistance. Your baby is still too young for formal sleep training (that can come after 4 months, if desired).

After your pre-sleep routine:

Place baby down drowsy but awake in a dark, optimal sleep environment (very dark is key).
Offer cribside support such as gentle patting, shushing, or using techniques like “side to sleep.”
Give it a focused 10-minute effort.

It’s normal for babies this age to fuss or cry briefly as they adjust. Your role is encourage them to settle in this space (rather than in your arms).

If it doesn’t feel productive after about 10 minutes, don’t force it. We are not sleep training. The priority at this stage is ensuring your baby meets their daily sleep needs. Many sensitive babies will continue to need significant support — and that is completely appropriate.

You may only see success occasionally at first. That’s normal. At this age, we are simply providing exposure to the idea that sleep can happen in the crib.

Many families find the first nap of the day or bedtime to be the easiest times to begin practicing.

If your baby ultimately needs help to fall asleep, that does not mean you’ve done anything wrong. Responsive support does not “ruin” sleep.

At 2–3 months, the focus is opportunity over expectation — building foundations without pressure.

Consider an Eat–Play–Sleep Rhythm

During the day, gently move toward an eat–play–sleep pattern when possible.

This can help:

Encourage full feedings (typically every ~3 hours)
Reduce frequent “snacking”
Prevent strong feed-to-sleep associations
Support longer stretches of rest over time

This rhythm should feel flexible — not rigid.

The Bottom Line on 2–3 Month Sleep

Your baby is still very young.

Naps will organically lengthen. Consolidation will develop. Independent sleep skills strengthen with neurological maturity.

In months 2–3, the goal is simple:
Build the foundation.

By protecting awake windows, creating a predictable sleep environment, introducing routines, and gently offering settling opportunities, you set yourself up for smoother transitions in the months ahead.

This article is part of a developmental sleep series:
• Newborn Sleep Tips: A Guide for Babies 0–2 Months
• Newborn Sleep Tips: A Guide for Babies 2–3 Months
(Next up: 4 Month Sleep Regression — coming soon!)

Need Support with Your Baby’s Sleep?

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

If you’re feeling exhausted, unsure what’s normal, or simply wanting a clear, compassionate plan for your baby’s sleep, personalized guidance can make a profound difference.

Thoughtful sleep support during this stage protects both your baby’s development and your own well-being.

Learn more about my sleep support services and schedule a consultation!

Newborn Sleep Tips: A Guide for Babies 2–3 Months