Wake Windows by Age: A Real Mom’s Guide
Before I had a baby, I thought “wake windows” sounded like something out of a sci-fi manual. But once my son hit that three-month mark and started fighting naps like a tiny insomniac boxer, I started Googling. And what do you know? Wake windows actually helped.
So here’s a quick, real-world guide—because you deserve nap predictability, and your baby probably isn’t actually allergic to sleep.
What Are Wake Windows?
Wake windows are the amount of time your baby can comfortably stay awake between naps before they become overtired (cue: chaos). Think of it like a sweet spot—not too early, not too late. Just enough time to play, eat, and wind down.
Wake Windows by Age
Here’s a general guideline you can screenshot, print, or scribble on a sticky note. You can also download my free resource here! (Note: Always adjust based on your baby’s cues.)
| Baby’s Age | Wake Window |
|---|---|
| 0-4 weeks | 30-60 minutes |
| 1-2 months | 1-2 hours |
| 3-4 months | 75 minutes-2.5 hours |
| 5-7 months | 2-4 hours |
| 8-10 months | 2.5-4.5 hours |
| 11-14 months | 3-5 hours |
| 15-24 months | 4-6 hours |
Signs They’re Ready to Sleep (Even if They Disagree)
Rubbing eyes or ears
Looking away (baby version of “I’m done here”)
Fussing out of nowhere
Slower movements or zoning out
Pro tip: Catching these signs before overtiredness = way smoother nap transitions.
What Happens If You Miss the Wake Window?
The dreaded overtired spiral. More crying, harder naps, shorter naps, and a grumpy baby (and mom). It’s like they’re too tired to sleep, which makes zero sense and yet… it’s a thing.
My Mom-to-Mom Tips:
Start wind-down 10–15 mins before the window ends.
Use a simple routine (dim lights, white noise, cuddle/book/rock).
Some days it will totally flop. That’s okay. Try again next window.
Don’t obsess—use it as a guide, not a commandment.
Final Thought:
Wake windows gave me a little structure in a very unstructured season. I started feeling less like a nap detective and more like a mom with a plan. And even if we miss one now and then, just knowing why naps fall apart sometimes makes it easier to breathe through it.
