How to Help Your 2 Month-Old Sleep Well

32 Comments

  1. daisy baker

    Hello my 2 month old will sleep for an hour during small naps in between. When night time comes he will only sleep 15 to 30 minutes if that and will wake up fussy and will not want to go back to sleep this happens every night I tried having a routine for him like giving baths and putting on white noise and will only sleep for a lil while and wake back up. What can I do??

    Reply
    • Artemis

      Hi Daisy,

      I’m so sorry your 2 month old is waking so often and having very unpredictable sleep.

      Unfortunately, at this age, sleep IS very unpredictable. However, there are ALWAYS things we can do to get longer patches of sleep and higher quality sleep for baby!

      So let’s chat! We would love to help you via a private consultation. You can book it here:
      https://programs.babysleepmadesimple.com/30-minutes-private-consultation-checkout/

      This way, we can give you a customized plan. How does that sound?

      Can’t wait to work with you!
      Artemis, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  2. Taylor Goldsworthy

    My 2 month old sleeps really well during the day and has great naps (anywhere from 1-2.5 hours) I keep a close eye on her wake windows and try not to let her go over 1.5 hours in between naps. At nighttime, she struggles to give me long stretches. We have established a routine on bath time and eat around 9:30, and asleep by 10. She will only sleep until about 12:30-1 before waking up. After that, she is up every 2-2.5 hours. What do you suggest for longer stretches during the nighttime? She does like the swaddle right now, but I could try a different type.

    Reply
    • Artemis

      Hi Taylor,

      Sounds like you’re doing amazingly with your 2 month old’s sleep! Well done!

      At this age, we really recommend little ones feed on-demand in the night, which may be why she’s waking up. However, we would still love to chat with you via a private consultation and make a plan for how to get better stretches of sleep in the night:
      https://programs.babysleepmadesimple.com/30-minutes-private-consultation-checkout/

      Our sleep consultants are very knowledgeable and kind and will take great care of you. Hope to see you in a call!
      Artemis, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  3. Jessica

    My almost 8 week old has been waking before 6 am off and on for a week or two. He will cry/fuss until picked up, but can go back to sleep if being held. He goes to bed between 8-8:30 and has good stretches of sleep between his nighttime feedings. He does get very tired in the evenings (around 5:30) and will often fall asleep/nap until right before bedtime. He’s very difficult to wake during these evening naps. Could this be causing his early wakings? Any ideas on how to get him to sleep until closer to 7 am?

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hello Jessica,

      Thank you so much for your post. Congratulations on your newest addition! I would definitely recommend purchasing a 45 minute Zoom consult. We would love the opportunity to chat with you about 2 month old sleep needs and discuss awake times and scheduling!

      https://programs.babysleepmadesimple.com/30-minutes-private-consultation-checkout/

      Sincerely,
      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  4. Tanya

    Hello. I have a formula fed 8 week old. I see a lot that some parents are able to get their babies to have long night stretches of sleep between 4-6 hours before a night feed. My little one wakes up crying every 2-3 hours in the nights. What should I do??

    Reply
    • Artemis

      Hi Tanya,

      Thanks for reaching out!

      I would talk to your baby’s doctor and follow their instructions for how often and how much to feed your baby in a 24 hour period. Nutrition is the most important thing at this age. Your baby will start sleeping long stretches, but at this age not every baby does.

      Let me know if you need anything else,
      Artemis, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  5. April

    Our third child is now 11 weeks old. We had a rough start with sleeping with him up every hour or two at night and sometimes taking 45 minutes to an hour to get back to sleep. We then had a week or two with great sleep. He would sleep from 7-7:30 until 2:30-3 and then again around 5 or 6. He would be awake for the day around 6:30-7. Now his sleep seems to have fallen apart. We have a very busy house with a 6 year old and 3 year old. I don’t remember having any of the issues with sleep like we do with him. He naps about every hour and eats every 1.5-2 during the day. Some of his nap times end up at very difficult times during the day. I.e. getting my daughter to or off the bus, homework time or when I am cooking dinner. So sometimes they get unintentionally stretched out too long. He used to sleep in the swing but will no longer with all the noise. So sometimes he is overtired. I put him in his bed for as many naps as I can and he typically falls asleep easily until the evening hours. We do bath around 6:15 in our house because the older ones are in bed by 7-7:15. He was doing fine with this but now it seems his last nap is ending up so he is awake for 1.5-2 hours. Then he is impossible to put to bed. He wakes every 10-15 minutes once we get him to sleep. A lot of times he is up immediately after placing him in bed. I give him a dream feed around 8:30 every night to get a longer stretch. On the nights he is extremely unsettled I have to hold him until he is in a deep sleep. Sometimes this helps other times he is awake the minute I put him down. How can we manage napping and bedtime in our busy house? Do you have any suggestions that might make things easier?

    Reply
    • Artemis

      Hi April,

      Congratulations on your little one!

      Around the 3 month mark, babies’ sleep patterns start to change and mature.

      There could be a number of reasons why your little one isn’t sleeping as well anymore, and there are various things we can do to help.

      I suggest you do one of two things. Either try fixing your little one’s sleep on your own using this article. OR book a private consultation with our sleep consultant Alyssa so she can help you make a plan that will get your 3 month old sleeping better – book it here.

      Good luck!
      Artemis, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  6. Stevie O'Connell

    Hi jilly your website is great. My LO is 2 months old today but she’s just getting over bronchiolitis and seems to be napping a lot in the day and then has a late unsettled bedtime at around 10-11pm. How do you manage naps and bedtime routine when they’re ill? Thank you

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hello!

      I am so sorry to hear your daughter was ill! It is so hard when they are sick. Just let your little one nap longer when she is sick. You can certainly stick with your bedtime routine, but 100% okay to let your little one sleep longer when sick 🙂

      Best,
      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  7. Katy

    Hi Jilly,

    My LO is 2 months old. Her bedtime is 1-2 am. The first stretch of sleep is 4-5 hours, then she sleeps 3 hour stretches till noon. I have tried to shift her bedtime to 10 pm but she simply wakes up after an hour and is incredibly difficult to put down to sleep after that. In short, her circadian rhythm is completely reversed :(. How do I overcome this?

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hello Katy,

      Lets definitely see if we can move that bedtime up earlier! It is often best to do it in slower increments. Try moving it earlier by 30 minutes every 3 days until you get to your desired time. Just make sure you move everything (naps, bedtime, wake time AND milk sessions)! 🙂

      Best,
      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  8. Keiara Albritton

    We purchased your program for our first little one she is now 2.5 years old and is an amazing sleeper!

    We now have a 2 month old, we didn’t start the process with our first until she was a year old so we are trying to set a good routine for our son.

    My question is I know bedtime is supposed to be between 8:00-10:00 but I guess how do you determine when? Do you just keep them a wake for an hour depending on when they wake up from the last nap?

    So if his last nap is supposed to be at 6:30 do I wake him up if he sleeps longer than an hour and then keep him up an hour? Bc sometimes when we put him down at 7:00 he will sleep until 12am straight

    Reply
    • Artemis

      So happy your toddler is still sleeping great! And congratulations on your new baby.

      Since you’re a sleep training pro, you can decide on a reasonable bedtime (like 9 pm at this age) and make sure your baby is awake by 7-7:30 pm. You can keep this flexible too, they’re still young.

      Most parents of multiple kids prefer to have a set bedtime because older siblings are on a schedule, so waking your baby up from their nap at a consistent time and also waking them at the same time each morning can help them fall into a good routine.

      I hope this helps!
      Artemis, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  9. Renee

    Hi,
    My just turned 2 month baby has a bath at around 5:30/6pm as part of her bed time routine to get her settled for the night. For this point forward it is always a long battle in trying to get her to sleep. However reading your post, you say bed time doesn’t usual start till 8-10pm. Should we have bath time later on? And bring it forward gradually as she get some older?

    Reply
    • Artemis

      Hi there!

      Yes, exactly. Move bedtime later for now. At this age, babies sleep quite late. Try to do this gradually! Naturally, bath time will be later (as you mention). And yes, as your baby gets older, bedtime gets pushed back a little earlier.

      This guide actually has daily schedules & activities for every age, you can use this to keep your baby on an age-appropriate schedule! See the link here:
      https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/daily-schedule-developmental-activities-baby-toddler-2/

      /Artemis, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  10. Sinead

    Hi Jilly!

    My baby is now 2 months old and wakes up 2-3 times during the night to nurse. I know that this can be normal at this age but would still like some tips to help him sleep through the night. We already swaddle him for his bedtime routine, this did help at some point where he slept for 6hours straight, but he suddenly doesn’t anymore.

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hello Sinead,

      Infant sleep can be SUPER unpredictable! We don’t really see sleep become more consistent until around 5 months of age when they are ready to learn how to fall asleep independnetly. 2-3 feeds is very appropriate at this age, so I would continue what you are doing. You are doing great!!

      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  11. Ashley Frank

    Hi Jillie,

    My baby is 2 months and is sleeping 6-7 hour stretches the first part of the night, but wakes roughly 2 hours later and is fussy between 6-8 am. I’ll pick him up to feed, but will immediately fall asleep just fine. I’ll lay him back down and the fussing starts again. He has been this way from the start. How do I get him to sleep well between those hours?

    Thank you!
    Ashley

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hi Ashley,

      The “fourth trimester” can be super challenging and exhausting! Babies still need our help to fall back asleep during these months because they are unable to self-soothe. Your little one is having a really great stretch of sleep the first part of the night! It is okay to feed to sleep at this age. Once your LO is 5 months of age, he will be ready for sleep training and to learn how to fall asleep independently and self-soothe! 🙂

      Best,
      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  12. Brinley West

    Hello!

    I have an almost 7 week old and she naps like a star during the day but all falls apart at night. We’ve been putting her down around 10pm and sometimes she sleep 6-7hrs straight, sometimes she wakes up an hour later and won’t sleep until 12-1am (but for a 5hr stretch). Then she wakes up and will nap for 2-3 hrs on me.

    Is her bedtime off? (FYI: I don’t let her go more than 2.5-3hrs without feeding during the day so naps never go longer
    than 2hrs.)

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hello Brinley,

      Based off what you are describing, your LO is doing REALLY well for a 7 week old! Those are some good stretches. I would keep doing what you are doing. You can work on slowly moving up bedtime closer to the 3 month mark. Check out this resource below!

      https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/bedtime-for-3-month-old

      Best,
      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  13. Jasmine

    Hello,
    I’ve been putting by baby to bed at 6.30-7pm for about 5 weeks now (he’s about 2.5 months old). I’ve suspected it’s too early for bedtime at this age as we have him waking hourly between 4 and 6am like you’ve suggested on your website.
    However, were I to move his bedtime later (to the 8-10pm bedtime that you’ve suggested) I would be shifting it earlier again in no time as we’re nearing the 3 month mark now.
    Shall we just power through the next few weeks with early morning wakes or should I be moving his bedtime later for now and making it earlier again over time?
    Hope this makes sense
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Taft

      Hello Jasmine,

      I think it is really up to you and your preference! Are you in an area the celebrates daylight savings? This occurs next month and will also shift everything an hour!

      Best,
      Alyssa, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  14. Sabrina

    Hello. I’ve read so many different tips and advice on getting baby to sleep better and yours really is straightforward, I appreciate that. I am curious, and again, have read and heard so many different things, when should you put baby down in his crib for nap and bedtime: drowsy or sleeping? We are having a really hard time with this when it comes to getting our 2 month old to sleep. He falls asleep in arms then the moment he touches the crib, he’s wide awake. I’m assuming drowsy is best but how do I get him to relax and get to sleep? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Leena

      Hi Sabrina! I completely understand your struggle!
      You’re right on the nose about getting him to relax so he can fall asleep relaxed. This age based sleep guide has specific tips to help your baby settle easier and sleep better. Also here is a video on the drowsy but awake technique from Jilly’s YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2RG0m7u3dc&lc=z22firnz4oy4y3r5d04t1aokgoulzzk2qst4aihv5dhhrk0h00410

      Many babies younger than 5 months old don’t yet have the ability to settle themselves to sleep. They’re still young! So if you’ve tried putting your baby down drowsy to fall asleep on her own and it never seems to work, that’s ok. Keep helping your baby fall asleep for now. And once he turns 5 months you can be confident they can learn to self-settle to sleep, which will lead to longer stretches of sleep for all of you! Our program, 21 Days to Peace & Quiet walks you through it all. We offer 4 different step-by-step methods for you to choose from (from super gentle & gradual to quick & efficient.) Each step of the way you get advice based on your baby’s developmental stage, energy levels, and temperament.

      You enroll on this page: https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/21-days-to-peace-quiet-program

      Last but not least, I would recommend starting our FREE Exhausted Mom’s Survival Kit which will help you create a Peaceful Nightly Ritual for your LO, honestly it can become your favourite bonding time of the day! https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/exhausted-moms-survival-kit

      Hope these help! / Leena, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  15. Daniel

    Hi Jilly,

    Your website has helped me so much I have tried to use so called experts before and never found they helped much. You break things down into simple easy to follow steps that have actually helped my family get the sleep we so desperately needed. And this particular guide was perfect !! Thanks Again Daniel

    Reply
    • Leena

      Hi Daniel! That’s great to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience and the positive vibes! / Leena, BSMS Support Team

      Reply
  16. Nina Sejdini

    Hi Jillie!

    Love all your tips and sleep guide for 2 month old. He sleeps well during the night and doing all the tips you have mentioned already. We are just struggling to get him to sleep during the day for his naps. He is fussy, has tummy pains and just doesnt wanna sleep unless its on me. Please help:) Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jilly Blankenship

      Hi Nina,

      I’m so happy you like this sleep guide!

      Naps can be short and inconsistent for babies younger than 6 months. Totally normal, yet exhausting..

      The best thing you can do is follow his awake times and sleepy signs. Any time you see his energy decrease, a “zoned out” look, yawn, puffy eyes or fussiness, try to get him down for a nap.

      Just know that sometimes he’ll go down easily and other times he won’t. He’s still so young and his systems are immature. You do the best you can!

      You can wear him in a baby carrier like the Ergo (https://amzn.to/2JTH8kr) or Bjorn (facing in towards you – https://amzn.to/2SKizcG) for naps. So you get to hold him “hands free.” Also try bicycling his legs throughout the day to help relieve trapped gas. Tummy time (supervised and awake) can also help with gas.

      I hope this helps,
      Jilly

      Reply

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