What is an awake window & do you need to be a sleep consultant to understand them?
As a sleep consultant this is a question I get asked a lot! The first year of your baby’s life you will feel that you are constantly trying to jig their naps around to fit to their sleep needs. This is due to your babies sleep cycle maturing and their total sleep amount gradually reducing over this period. As your little one’s sleep need reduces you will need to change their naps to suit, resulting in the constant battle of trying to figure out when they should sleep and when they shouldn’t. A sleep consultant will be able to give you personalised information on your baby’s awake window, however I hope you’ll find this blog useful in interpreting its general meaning.
So what is an awake window?
You’ve probably heard the phrase awake used when talking to other parents or a sleep consultant and may be unsure by what it really means. It is in fact one of the key factors at play when looking at how to improve your little one’s sleep. In a very broad sense of the term an awake window refers to how long your baby is awake for in relation to how long they’re sleeping.
Most people assume that sleep consultants will provide you with a mysterious and magical range of techniques that can instantly get your baby to sleep. However, life isn’t quite that easy. Whilst sleep consultants like myself do have a range of different techniques and methods we can use to improve a child’s sleep all of them will be useless if your child has inappropriate awake windows. Your child’s awake window affects whether your baby is over tired or too awake when trying to have their next sleep. The result of either of these will be an inefficient sleep leading to an overtired baby & a confused parent.
What wake windows should my baby be having?
Just like adults every baby is different and will have a different sleep need to that of another. However, the below timings are based on averages for children of these ages.
- 3 to 6 months
1.5 – 2.5 hours
- 6 to 9 months
3 -4 hours
- 9 to 12 months
3 – 4 hours
- 12 to 16 months
3.5 – 4.5 hours
- 16 to 24 months
4 – 6 hours
- 2 to 2.5 years
5 – 7 hours
- 2.5 to 3 years
6 hours – all day
- 3 to 5 years
6 hours – all day
How do I change my babies sleep to fit with the suggested awake windows?
The key to change your babies sleep to suit their awake windows is to follow their sleepy cues & individual sleep patterns. It’s important to remember that any changes you make should only happen gradually to ensure not to unsettle your little one’s sleep. If for example you notice that you’re putting your 6-month-old down to sleep after 2 hours of them waking and you want to move it to a longer stretch, do this gradually in 10 minute increments over the course of a couple of weeks. This will ensure the least disruption to all the other factors at play regarding your child’s sleep.
You may also find that when adapting your little ones sleep routine you will have to move their bedtime. Many parents think that their little one should go to bed at 6.30 where in realistic terms for the first year of a child’s life their bedtime will in fact be a little later averaging at around 7.30-8 depending on what time they wake.
Figuring out awake times and naps can be a tricky process for parents. Diddi Dreamers will look at all of this during a sleep consultation if you need any additional help. I can also provide a free pdf document of recommended awake windows & nap lengths to anyone who needs it, just email [email protected] to be sent the information. Alternatively book in your free 15 minute introductory call to hear how I can help your family with their sleep issues https://diddidreamers.co.uk/appointments/
Sending sweet dreams to you and your little ones
Emily
xxx
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For more great information on this topic check out
https://www.slumberpod.com/blogs/our-blog/age-appropriate-awake-windows