Understanding Baby's Wake Windows by Age

Knowledge may not be power when it comes to our little ones, but knowledge can certainly be empowering. It seems there are so many things to learn about when it comes to our newest family member. Understanding what a wake window is and incorporating newborn wake windows into your day, can help when it comes to navigating nap times and creating sleep routines. It can also help provide the foundations of healthy sleep habits.

What are wake windows?

Baby wake windows simply refers to the period of time your baby is awake, from the time they wake up from a nap, to the time they go back to sleep again. Sometimes referred to as awake windows, these periods of time differ from baby to baby and are heavily influenced by the child’s age. Awake windows are periods where your baby is often alert and interacting with the surrounding environment.

The importance of wake windows

The reasons that baby wake windows are so important are:

Baby needs to have enough time awake in between naps in order to feel sufficiently tired when it comes time to sleep time again
Being aware of newborn awake windows can allow you to get your baby to bed before they become overtired and hard to settle
Being aware of wake windows can help you plan ahead for the day

How long should a wake window be?

Wake windows range with each baby and are determined by your baby’s age and stage of development. Some examples of wake windows according to baby’s age are below:

How long are 1 - 2 month old wake windows?

From 1 - 2 months of age, your baby will likely be able to comfortably stay awake for a longer period. A typical wake window for this age bracket is between 45 and 60 minutes.

How long are 3 – 6 month old wake windows?

At 3 – 6 months of age, your baby’s wake window may be anywhere between 1 - 2.5 hours.

How long are 7 - 9 month old wake windows?

During the ages of 7-9 months old, an average baby awake window is between 2.5 and 3 hours.

How long are 9 -12 month old wake windows?

As your baby approaches the 1-year mark, awake windows could typically be between 2.5 -4 hours.

How long are wake windows for 1 year and above?

After the age of 1 year, your baby may be having awake time for longer periods, usually between 3.5 - 5 hours.

How to stretch wake windows

If, when you put your baby down for their regular nap, they take an extended period of time to fall asleep, are fussy or begin to catnap when they were previously sleeping well, it may be time to gradually stretch their wake window.

You can stretch a baby’s wake window incrementally by slowly keeping them awake 10-15 minutes longer at a time. Some ways you can help keep them alert and interacting with you and the environment while you transition to a longer wake window are:

Feeding
Distracting them with a story or a song
Sensory play
Reinforcing and creating a clear difference between daytime and night time, by spending some time outside

What to do with baby during wake windows?

There are many activities you can do with your baby during wake windows and they don’t need to be elaborate. Simply interacting with your baby could be all the stimulation they need during their awake time, especially if they are newborn. As your baby grows you may be able to incorporate more activities and extend their length and scope. Some ideas for awake time are:

Feeding baby
Tummy time
Introducing toys, story books or sensory play
Playing simple games with baby such as peekaboo
Taking baby to a local library for a ‘Rhymetime’ style get together with other children
Head outdoors, either for a walk in the pram or just to interact with the surrounding environment

Wake window activities for newborns

Activities you could do during wake windows with your newborn are:

Cuddles
Feeding
Spending some time outside
A gentle massage
Peekaboo

Wake window activities for babies aged 3-6 months

As your baby grows, so does the list of activities you may be able to incorporate into baby’s wake window. You may choose to use activities like:

Supervised tummy time
Reading storybooks to your baby
Taking baby for a walk in the stroller or pram
Playing music or singing songs
Supervised time on a play mat with soft toys and rattles

Wake window activities for babies aged 7-12 months

Depending on your baby’s stage of development, activities you could do during wake windows between 7-12 months are:

Floor time
Free play
Spending some time playing with an activity station or jumper
Activities or play groups with other children
Spending time outside

Common FAQs about baby wake windows

Wake windows are not an exact science and many parents and caregivers come up against similar queries when learning how to incorporate wake windows into baby’s schedule. Some of the most common concerns are covered below.

When should you start wake windows for your baby?

A baby’s wake window begins from the time they wake up from their nap or sleep.

When should you change wake windows for your baby?

If your baby is repeatedly having short naps or having trouble falling to sleep, it may be because they’re not yet tired enough. It is around this time that you may want to consider extending awake time gradually to see if this helps your baby sleep more soundly.

Does a wake window include feeding?

A wake window includes feeding time, whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

Why is the first wake window the shortest?

The first wake window of the day typically follows a longer night time sleep. Your baby may become tired more quickly after this longer rest period.

Do wake windows increase throughout the day?

Wake windows tend to increase throughout the day. As your baby takes each nap, they are typically able to stay awake for longer periods.

How do you know if your wake windows are too short?

If your wake windows are too short, your baby will likely struggle to fall asleep when nap time comes around. They may lie awake for long periods, be fussy or cry.