A 1 month old usually manages wake windows of 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and takes 4 to 6 naps a day, each lasting about 25 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. There is no fixed bedtime yet: the evening sleep usually starts somewhere between 5pm and 9pm. Total sleep across 24 hours is typically 14 to 17 hours.
These numbers come from OBubba's own sleep engine for weeks 4 to 8. They are a guide to start from, not a target your baby has to hit.
At a glance
- Wake windows: 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- Naps: 4 to 6 naps a day
- Nap length: 25 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes each
- Total day sleep: 3 hours 40 minutes to 5 hours 40 minutes
- Total sleep in 24 hours: 14 to 17 hours
- Bedtime window: 5pm to 9pm (no fixed bedtime yet)
A sample day
Here is one example of how a day could look, starting with a 7am wake up. It is just one example: babies vary, and so do days.
- 7:00am Wake up for the day, milk feed
- 8:15am Nap 1 (1 hour), after 1 hour 15 minutes awake
- 9:15am Awake
- 10:45am Nap 2 (1 hour 10 minutes), after 1 hour 30 minutes awake
- 11:55am Awake
- 1:25pm Nap 3 (1 hour), after 1 hour 30 minutes awake
- 2:25pm Awake
- 3:55pm Nap 4 (45 minutes), after 1 hour 30 minutes awake
- 4:40pm Awake
- 6:10pm Asleep for the night, after 1 hour 30 minutes awake (bedtime routine starts around 5:40pm)
That adds up to 3 hours 55 minutes of day sleep. This example shows 4 naps. Plenty of babies this age take more, shorter naps, up to 6 a day, and that is normal too. Nights still include feeds.
What's changing at this age
Between about 4 and 8 weeks babies begin to stay awake a little longer and become more alert during that awake time. You may notice more eye contact, longer looks at faces and, for many families, the first smiles.
The body clock is still developing, so bedtime is not fixed yet and naps can be very uneven. Some days bring a run of short naps followed by one long one. That is normal at this stage, not a sign that anything is wrong.
Many babies have an unsettled spell in the early evening around now. Families often find the evening is the hardest part of the day in these weeks, and it tends to ease as the body clock matures.
Common sleep problems and gentle fixes
Catnaps all day
Short naps are common at 1 month. Try settling as the first sleepy cues appear (staring, slowing down, a first yawn) rather than waiting for crying.
Fighting sleep in the evening
Dim lights, a quiet room and slow, repetitive soothing can help. Feeding and holding through the fussy hours is completely fine.
Overtired after a long stretch awake
If your baby has been up for longer than the range, offer sleep sooner next time. A slightly shorter window is often easier than a slightly longer one at this age.
Wide awake at night
Keep night feeds dim and calm. Bright daylight in the morning and normal noise in the day gently help the day and night difference settle.
If things feel hard, you are not doing anything wrong. Small, gentle changes made one at a time, and watched for a few days, are usually kinder for everyone than a big overhaul. Look after yourself too: rest when you can, and lean on the people around you.
How OBubba helps
An age chart can only tell you what is typical. OBubba predicts your baby's next nap and bedtime from their own rhythm, not just the numbers on this page, and adjusts through the day as naps run long or short. After around four days of logging, the guidance becomes personal to your baby.
Find out more about nap prediction and how OBubba works as a gentle sleep consultant app in your pocket.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a 1 month old be awake between naps?
Usually 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, including feeding and changing.
How many naps should a 1 month old take?
Anywhere from 4 to 6 naps is typical, lasting roughly 25 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes each.
What time should a 1 month old go to bed?
There is no fixed bedtime yet. Anywhere between 5pm and 9pm is normal, and it often varies night to night.
Safety and a gentle reminder
Every sleep, day and night, should follow safer sleep guidance. See The Lullaby Trust safer sleep advice and NHS: helping your baby to sleep. If your baby was born prematurely, use their corrected age when reading these ranges. The ranges are guides, not targets. If you are worried about your baby's sleep, feeding or health, speak to your health visitor or GP.
Keep reading
- Previous month: Newborn Sleep Schedule and Wake Windows (0 to 1 Month)
- Next month: 2 Month Old Sleep Schedule, Wake Windows and Naps
- Every age on one page: wake windows by age
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