If you’re trying to train your baby to sleep at a specific time, you’ve probably heard about a 6 month old wake window. It is a great way to help your child adjust to the schedule and stay asleep during the day. While all babies have a different range of wake windows, some babies sleep longer, and others sleep shorter. Observing your child’s sleep patterns is a great way to get a handle on your child’s ideal wake window range.
Babies typically require between thirty and forty-five minutes of wake time before becoming tired. However, there are many exceptions to this rule, so it’s important to know your child’s wake window. This window is usually small for newborns, and the time is just long enough to feed, change diapers, and cuddle. However, in the six-month wake window, your baby is awake for less than half an hour, so you’ll have to extend it until your child’s wake window is at least forty-five minutes.
As your baby approaches six months, you may begin to notice signs that your baby is overtired and in need of sleep. Some overtiredness includes fidgeting, turning away from you, and zoning out. When your baby is more advanced, you may see signs like rubbing their eyes, pulling on their ears, arching their back, and burying their face in your chest. Failing to recognize these signs will only result in a missed window for optimal sleep.
Babies usually require three naps per day. But if your baby takes more than three naps a day, you may want to extend the wake window by about 15 minutes each time. Your baby is developmentally ready for this transition, so try to teach him to fall asleep by himself so they can link their sleep cycles and sleep all night long. It will be more convenient to fall asleep on your own and be more independent at night.
When your baby is six months old, it’s best to put them to bed around seven to eight pm. However, the wake window will continue to grow throughout the day, increasing the time your baby spends awake. It’s important to remember that the longest period of wake time occurs right before bedtime. If you’re trying to get your baby to sleep during the middle of the night, try to move the bedtime earlier to minimize the impact of overtiredness.
