How To Navigate the 5 Month Old Wake Window

In the first few months of life outside the womb, babies spend more of their time sleeping than they spend awake. Sleep is incredibly important for an infant’s physical and cognitive development, so it’s essential to let your little one sleep when they need to. Unfortunately for exhausted new parents, our bubs don’t tend to sleep for long periods at a time. Instead, they nap for a few hours at a time in between “wake windows.”

At 5 months, wake windows are pretty short and last just 2-3 hours. When your bub is awake, they’re engaged in feeding, intensive learning, and getting to know the world around them. When they’re asleep, it’s important they get good, solid rest because they’ll likely be up again soon.

Keep reading to learn how to navigate the 5 month old wake window and encourage good napping throughout the day.

What is the 5 Month Old Wake Window?

A wake window is a period of time an infant or toddler is awake and active between naps and longer sleep periods. 

Keeping your baby up longer than their ideal wake window can cause overtiredness, which can lead to fussiness and difficulty falling asleep. On the other hand, putting your bub down for naps too soon can lead to restless nights, as your baby may be unable to stay asleep for longer periods.

5 Month Old Nap Schedule Example

The typical wake window for a 5 month old is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. That means once your baby has been awake for about this time period, they’re likely to be ready for a nap.

Every bub and family is unique, and there’s a lot of variation in nap schedules for young families. That said, here’s a general breakdown of what a daily nap schedule might look like based on a typical 5 month old wake window:

  • 6:00 to 7:00 AM: This is when many 5 month olds tend to wake up in the morning.
  • 9:00 to 10:00 AM: This is when the first nap often takes place, usually lasting about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • 12:00 to 1:00 PM: This is the general time frame for a second nap, which usually takes place 2 to 2.5 hours or so after the first nap.
  • 3:30 to 4:00 PM: A third nap often takes place in the mid-late afternoon period, which is often shorter than earlier naps – around 30-45 minutes or so.
  • 6:30 to 7:00 PM: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours after a 5 month old’s last nap, they’re typically ready for bedtime.

Around the 5 month mark, babies generally need about 14-15 hours of total sleep per day, including nighttime sleep and daytime naps.

How To Manage a 5 Month Old’s Wake Windows

1. Be Flexible With Routines

While wake windows are an important part of development, it’s also important to be flexible and adapt to your baby’s ever-changing needs. As babies grow, they undergo significant cognitive and physical development that can alter their sleep patterns. Pay attention to what your bub needs that particular day and be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly.

2. Keep an Eye Out for Sleep Cues

Babies often have their own way of telling you when they need to sleep. Keep an eye out for these cues and use them as a guide for when it’s time for a nap. 

5 month old sleep cues may include:

  • Yawning 
  • Fluttery or droopy eyelids
  • Rubbing their eyes
  • A fixed or blank stare 
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Arching their back 
  • Making fists
  • Fussing or crying
  • Pulling at their ears
  • Diminished coordination

3. Provide Stimulation During Wake Times

Wake windows are opportunities for your bub to interact with their surroundings. Since your baby is likely more alert and social than ever, providing gentle stimulation is a good way to encourage restful sleep and help them with their development.

Playing with toys, talking to them, listening to music, reading baby books, and having tummy time are just a few examples of activities for you and your 5 month old to do during wake windows.

4. Create a Quiet Nap Environment

Newborns can practically sleep anywhere at any time. However, as they reach the 5 month mark, increased awareness can make it more difficult for them to sleep in noisy or especially interesting environments.

Some ways to create a good nap environment include:

  • Keeping the room dark with blackout curtains
  • Making sure the room is quiet
  • Using a white noise machine
  • Keeping the room at a cool and comfortable temperature

5. Don’t Stress Over Short Naps

Even great sleepers have variation in their nap routines. If your baby starts to get fussy around naptimes or doesn’t stay asleep for as long as they usually do, it’s likely nothing to worry about. If short naps become a regular thing, you can always try to shorten their wake windows by 15-30 minutes to ensure they don’t get overtired.

6. If Possible, Encourage Independent Napping

Some babies need to be rocked to sleep in mom’s arms, and that’s perfectly okay. However, if your little one seems ready, try gently encouraging them to fall asleep in their nursery on their own. This can help them learn independent sleeping.

7. Be Prepared for Sleep Regressions

Around the 5-6 month mark, and throughout the first couple years of life, babies often experience periods of sleep disruption. A baby who was sleeping well may all of a sudden struggle to fall or stay asleep. This phenomenon is called sleep regression, and although it’s generally nothing to worry about, it can be frustrating to cope with.

Keep an eye out for symptoms of sleep regression like frequent nighttime wakeups or excess fussiness, and be prepared to adjust your little one’s sleep schedule as needed.