Baby Bedtime Calculator

We start from your morning wake time. Add 24 hours, then subtract the typical night-sleep range for the age. The result is the bedtime window. For example, a 6-month-old usually needs 9h 50min to 10h 10min of night sleep, so a 6 a.m. wake-up points to bedtime between 7:50 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.

The age-based norm comes from the same reference table that powers Baby Soma. It is a typical range across the population, not a strict number for your specific baby. Some babies need 30 minutes more or less than the typical range, and that is fine if your baby wakes happy and the first night stretch is solid.

Fall-asleep time should be under 20 minutes. If your baby is taking 40+ minutes to settle, bedtime is too early - they are not tired enough yet. If they are screaming and arching from minute one, bedtime is too late - they are past the comfortable window. The visible signs are usually before the parent realises: yawning, rubbing eyes, slowing down with toys, leaning into a caregiver.

A successful bedtime gives at least 3-4 hours before the first night waking. If a baby wakes 45-90 minutes after falling asleep and the wake is full-blown crying (not a sleep cycle blip), bedtime was probably too late and the baby is in early-night overtiredness. Move bedtime 15-20 minutes earlier the next night and re-evaluate.

It cannot replace a real schedule. Naps during the day also affect bedtime - a baby who skipped the afternoon nap probably needs an earlier bedtime than the calculator says. A baby who napped 3 hours in the afternoon may push bedtime by 30-45 minutes. The calculator gives a baseline; daily nap totals adjust from there.

It also cannot decide your bedtime FOR you. Family dinner, older siblings, work hours, the practical reality of evening logistics - those all matter. Use the calculator result as an anchor point and adjust by 15-30 minutes for your specific family routine.