3 Month Sleep Schedule
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Time to read 10 min
Table of Contents
What does a 3 month sleep schedule look like? Routines with your 3 month old What does a 3 month old’s sleep schedule look like? What does a 3 month old’s feeding schedule look like? What developmental milestones should I keep an eye out for at 3 months? What’s most important to remember for my 3 month old? More detailed routines Frequently asked questions Shop the post Related content
What does a 3 month old sleep schedule look like?
Month three is where the magic really starts to happen. You've set the rhythms, trusted the process and now you get to watch it pay off with longer stretches of sleep, belly laughs and a baby who is starting to feel truly at home in the world. Whether you're nursing, bottle feeding or somewhere in between, here's the Moms on Call sleep schedule for baby’s the third month.
Three months in! You've made it through the fog of the newborn phase, navigated the swaddle transition and if you've been following the Moms on Call routine, there's a very good chance you are finally waking up in the morning without having been up at night. Hooray! Your 3-month-old is growing fast and now they are genuinely fun and full of real laughs, opinionated coos and a personality that is all their own. Playtime is stretching, naps are starting to find a shape and the days are beginning to look more like a rhythm and less like survival mode. Weeks 13 through 16 are a bridge between the routine you've already built and the 4–6 month schedule that's right around the corner. Your job right now is to maintain what's working, lean into the 15-minute grace periods and enjoy the payoff of all that early consistency. This post walks you through what to expect this month across sleep, feeding, development and key reminders. We'll give you the big picture and, as always, the full schedule details that make it all work live in the Moms on Call Basic Baby Care Book and our online courses.
Routines with your 3 Month Old
What does a 3 month old’s sleep schedule look like?
Month three is the one parents circle on the calendar for good reason. This is when the pieces come together. During the third month, those no-feed nights become more common and you'll start to see 8-12 hour stretches as your new baseline.
The Magic Number 12. At 12 weeks, 12 lbs or the first sign of rolling (whichever comes first), it's time to say goodbye to the swaddle. This is the moment the 8-16 week routine has been building toward. Swap the swaddle for cozy, well-fitting footed pajamas. Footed PJs are the best because they allow your baby to move and find their comfortable sleeping position without loose fabric getting in the way. With the swaddle off and the right environment in place, babies at this stage are ready to sleep from approximately 7:30pm to 7:00am.
If there's some fussing during the first few nights without the swaddle, give your baby a few minutes to find their spot. They are safe, they are loved and they can do this. Check out the 0-6 month book for the full Moms on Call approach with soothing rounds to help families navigate those nights of transition.
If baby does need a middle-of-the-night feeding, keep that feed strictly business: lights low, voices quiet, minimal stimulation and right back to sleep. And when baby sleeps straight through, enjoy it! It means your baby's stomach capacity is growing and those full daytime feeds are doing exactly what they're supposed to do.
The sleep environment checklist for month three will look familiar from prior months:
Dark room (blackout curtains)
Sound machine that is loud enough to hear from outside the closed door
Room temperature is 68-72°F
Cozy footed pajamas once the swaddle is retired
Crib or bassinet free of loose items
Start the day at the same time. Begin your day with intention around 7:00am regardless of how the night went. A consistent morning anchor keeps the whole day's rhythm on track.
Nap patterns emerge. You'll start to notice naps taking shape this month, typically one solid nap, one shorter but decent nap and a couple of brief catnaps in between. Playtime is now about 45-60 minutes from the start of a feeding and you’re noticing that your baby is more interactive and playful. This is a great time to do some tummy time, read board books and take baby outside for fresh air.
What does a 3 month old’s feeding schedule look like?
In the 2-4 month range, feeding is becoming more efficient and more satisfying for everyone. Most babies this month are taking 5-6 ounces per feeding (with the occasional 7-8 ounce feed), 5-7 times per day, with each session lasting about 15-20 minutes. Remember: babies up to 12 months need at least 24 ounces of breast milk or formula daily so those daytime feeds are doing important work.
As nighttime feeds begin to drop away over the course of this month, the daytime feeds naturally pick up the slack. Trust your baby's hunger cues and keep those daytime sessions full and focused. A well-fed baby during the day is a baby who can sleep at night since the two go hand in hand.
Whether you're nursing, exclusively bottle feeding or combining the two, the goal is the same: a fed, growing, thriving baby. We're here to support whatever feeding journey looks right for your family. Check in with your pediatrician to make sure that your baby is gaining weight appropriately.
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Our 0-6 Month Book is trusted by over 1 million families.
Order the BookWhat developmental milestones should I keep an eye out for at 3 months?
Month three is a developmental explosion. Here's what to look for:
Social smiling is in full swing. Now you might start hearing the first real laughs. That breathy, delighted sound will pull your heartstrings every single time.
Eye contact is improving and intentional. Your baby will lock eyes with you and hold your gaze, responding to your expressions and voice with coos, vowels and whole "conversations."
Hand discovery begins. Babies this month start staring at their own hands with genuine fascination, bringing them to their mouth and beginning to bat at and reach for objects in front of them. The best toy that is always within reach!
Head and neck control improves dramatically. By the end of the month, your baby can lift their head 45-90 degrees during tummy time and may be holding it steady when held upright.
Tracking is sharp. Watch your baby follow a slow-moving object like a toy or your face across their full field of vision. Their visual abilities are growing fast.
Rolling may begin. Unintentional rolling (tummy to back, or back to side) can start as early as this month. Never leave your baby unattended on a surface they could roll off of and remember, rolling is one of the signals that the swaddle needs to come off.
A great way to encourage all of these: Make tummy time a regular part of every day life. Try getting down on the floor face-to-face, using a rolled towel under their chest or doing tummy time on your chest, of course only when you are wide awake. The more variety, the more fun and those neck and core muscles are getting stronger with every session.
What’s most important to remember at this phase?
Swaddle transition timing. The swaddle comes off at 12 weeks, 12 lbs or at the first sign of intentional rolling, whichever comes first. If your baby hits 12 lbs before 12 weeks, don't wait. Footed pajamas are their new best friend.
Your 2-month well visit. If you haven't been yet, now is the time. Vaccines are on the schedule so be sure to consult with your pediatrician regarding any questions you may have, ask them what to expect afterward and get their weight-based dosing guidance for any comfort medications if needed.
Start your 4-month visit list now. You'll be there before you know it. Great questions to bring: sleep progression, introducing a routine adjustment as you approach the 4-6 month schedule and any developmental questions that have come up this month.
Stay consistent through bumps. Growth spurts happen roughly every 3-4 weeks and can temporarily disrupt feeding and sleep. If you have a rough night or a day that goes sideways, don't overhaul the routine. Stay the course. It takes 3-5 days for a baby's internal clock to reset and consistency is what gets you there.
You don't have to figure this out alone. If you're navigating the swaddle transition, a sleep regression or just want a second opinion from someone who's been there, our Certified Moms on Call Consultants are nurses and moms who have used this method in their own homes. They're here for exactly this.
Embrace the Journey. You're Not in This Alone.
Three months in, and your baby has gone from a sleepy, hungry newborn to a smiling, laughing, personality-filled little person who is ready for long stretches of nighttime sleep (as well as the rest of the family!) Take a moment to look back at how far you've both come. The consistency you've brought to every single day has built something real: a baby who feels safe, a home that has rhythm and a parent who trusts themselves more than they did 90 days ago.
Keep following the Moms on Call 0-6 month routine, and know that the 4-6 month transition with fewer, longer naps and the introduction of solids on the horizon is going to be just as good.
Looking for more personalized guidance? Book a consultation with one of our Premier Certified Moms on Call Consultants!
Check out these blogs for more timely support for your 3 month old baby.
Feeding Guidelines for the First 6 Months
Moving Your Baby Up to Moms on Call's 8-16 Week Schedule
Moms on Call 8-16 Week Sleep Transitions and Routine
Moms on Call Schedule Flexibility with a Newborn
Does Your Baby Wake Before 6 am?
3 Month Sleep Schedule FAQ
My 3-month-old is still waking once overnight. When will that last night feeding go away?
By 10–12 weeks (or 12 lbs), most healthy babies are ready to sleep through without a middle-of-the-night feeding as long as the pediatrician is happy with their weight gain. The most important driver is daytime feeding quality. Make sure your baby is taking full, efficient feeds during the day and not snacking. As daytime intake increases and the circadian rhythm matures, that overnight stretch naturally extends. Once the swaddle comes off at the 12-week or 12-lb mark, many babies make the transition on their own within just a few nights. If you're past 12 weeks and 12 lbs and still getting consistent overnight wakings, a MOC Consultant can help you work through it.
When do I drop the swaddle and how do I do it?
The swaddle comes off at 12 weeks, 12 lbs or at the first sign of intentional rolling, whichever comes first. Don't wait for all three. When it's time, swap the swaddle for well-fitting footed pajamas. Footed PJs give your baby the freedom to move and find their comfortable sleeping position, which is exactly what they need at this stage. Keep everything else in the sleep environment the same: dark room, sound machine and a comfortable 68–72°F. Most babies adjust within 3–5 nights. Stay consistent and give them the chance to find their cozy spot.
My 3-month-old's naps are still short and unpredictable. Is something wrong?
No, short, inconsistent naps are completely normal at this age and are not a sign that the routine isn't working. Nap consolidation (the ability to link sleep cycles and sleep longer stretches during the day) typically develops around 4–5 months. Right now, your job is to keep the timing and environment consistent and let the length follow on its own. You'll start to notice a more predictable pattern forming (often one solid nap, one shorter nap and a couple of brief catnaps) as your baby approaches the 4–6 month schedule.
How much should my 3-month-old be eating?
In the 2–4 month range, most babies are taking 5–6 ounces per feeding, 5–7 times per day, with each session lasting about 15–20 minutes (breastfed babies may need up to 20 minutes). Babies up to 12 months need at least 24 ounces of breast milk or formula daily. As overnight feeds drop away this month, daytime feeds naturally fill the gap. The most reliable signs that your baby is getting enough are steady weight gain (confirmed at well visits), consistent wet diapers, and a baby who seems content and settled after feeding. When in doubt, bring your questions to your pediatrician.
My baby seems extra hungry and fussier than usual this week. Could it be a growth spurt?
Most likely, yes. Growth spurts happen roughly every 3–4 weeks and can temporarily increase feeding demands and disrupt sleep. The best response is to meet the need: offer a little more at feedings if your baby seems unsatisfied and give some extra grace on the schedule for a few days. Growth spurts typically resolve within 2–4 days. Try not to overhaul the routine over one rough week. Trust the rhythm you've built, and your baby will return to it.
Laura Hunter, LPN and Jennifer Walker, RN, BSN
Co-Founders of Moms on Call, Pediatric Nurses and Moms to 8 kids between them, Laura Hunter and Jennifer Walker created Moms on Call to simplify parenting. Through their books, online courses, podcast and content, they help parents everywhere navigate the first four years with confidence and better sleep.
