Q&A: How many hours of sleep does a 7-month-old need?

The "average" 6-month-old sleeps ten and a half hours at night, and takes naps totalling three and a half hours, for a total sleep time of 14 hours per day. By 9 months, these numbers change to 11 hours a night, three hours a day. A 1-year-old keeps the 11-hour night, but naps only two and a half hours, which decreases to one and a half-hour naps by the age of 2.

These are average values and vary considerably from child to child. Many children are cat-nappers, taking half an hour here or there throughout the day. It may be worthwhile to keep track of your daughter's sleep for a few days to see how many hours she's getting compared to these numbers.

Regardless, a 7-month old baby who isn't sleeping enough is cranky. If overstimulated during sleep hours, she may stay awake, but won't be her usual cheery self. If she has structure to the day, a comforting bed or naptime ritual and awakens by herself acting refreshed, she is probably getting enough sleep.