Wake Window Guidelines by Age

Wake Window Guidelines by Age

Parenting, especially when it comes to baby sleep, is a bit like navigating through a foggy maze. But here's a simple trick that might help: wake windows. They're a super helpful tool, taking some of the guesswork out of understanding your babies sleep patterns.

What are wake windows?

A wake window, also known as awake times, is the period your child stays awake between sleeps. It starts when your baby wakes up and ends when they fall asleep for their nap or bedtime.

Why do they matter?

Wake windows help guide us towards an ideal sleep schedule for our baby's age. Babies need our help staying on track as we all know they can easily become overstimulated, leading to difficulty falling asleep. On the flip side, they may nap too much during the day and struggle to sleep at night, resulting in frequent awakenings and painfully early mornings! 

Avoiding over tiredness

If you have a baby, the term "overtired" probably gives your shivers! When babies become overtired, settling them down becomes a real challenge. Even though they're exhausted, they may exhibit signs of being alert and energized, making it really hard for parents, especially first-timers, to determine if their child is wide awake, or overtired. On the other hand, putting your baby down undertired is also a struggle and can result in short naps and early wake-ups.

Getting the timing just right

Getting the wake windows just right can help avoid many sleep struggles and gives you the confidence knowing that your baby is getting the sleep they need to thrive.

Usually the first wake window of the day, from wake up to nap 1, is the shortest and the last wake window of the day is the longest. Here is an example: 

A full day’s awake time for an 11-month old

• 3 hours of awake time leading up to Nap 1

• 3.5 hours leading up to Nap 2

• 3.75 hours of awake time leading up to bedtime
  
  

  

Signs it's working​

Babies are unique, so discovering the ideal sleep routine might involve a bit of trial and error. Pay attention to your baby's sleepy cues and keep trying. When you notice those magical moments where naps and bedtime fall into place, that's your signal that you're on the right track. Those satisfying stretches of sleep aren't just a breath of relief; they're a clear indication that you're approaching your baby's perfect sleep schedule. Keep tuning in, keep adapting gradually, and you're sure to find that sweet spot.

If your baby's wake windows seem just right, but sleep is still a challenge, we're here to help. Book a free discovery call with us or shoot us an email with details about your situation, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Warmly,

DM Team