Newborn to 3 years
Wake Windows by Age
How long can your baby stay awake before the next nap? Enter their age and wake-up time to get today's nap times and bedtime, or check the chart.
- Newborn35–60 min
- 6 months2–3 h
- Toddler5–6 h
Reviewed by Pediatric sleep consultant (TBC) · Updated 2026-09-25
When is the next nap?
Next nap
9:00 am
after 2 h awake · typical 2–2¾ hours
See the whole day
- 7:00 am Morning wake-up
- 9:00 am Nap 1 · until 10:10 am
- 12:25 pm Nap 2 · until 1:35 pm
- 4:05 pm Nap 3 · until 4:45 pm
- 7:30 pm Bedtime
Get a reminder before 9:00 am. The Wake Windows app pings you when the window is closing and re-plans the day when naps run short.
The chart
Wake windows chart, newborn to 3 years
Wake windows grow quickly in the first year. Start each day at the shorter end of the range and let windows lengthen toward bedtime. If naps are short or bedtime is a battle, adjust by 10–15 minutes at a time.
| Age | Wake window | Naps | Day sleep | Night sleep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 35–45 min | 5–8 | 7–9 h | 8–9 h (broken) |
| 6 weeks | 60–75 min | 4–6 | 5–7 h | 8–10 h |
| 3 months | 75–120 min | 4–5 | 4–5 h | 10–11 h |
| 4 months | 1½–2½ hours | 3–4 | 3–4.5 h | 10–12 h |
| 5 months | 2–2¾ hours | 3 | 3–4 h | 10–12 h |
| 6 months | 2–3 hours | 2–3 | 3–3.5 h | 11–12 h |
| 7 months | 2½–3½ hours | 2–3 | 2.5–3.5 h | 11–12 h |
| 8 months | 2½–3½ hours | 2 | 2.5–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 9 months | 3–4 hours | 2 | 2.5–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 10 months | 3–4 hours | 2 | 2–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 11 months | 3–4 hours | 2 | 2–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 12 months | 3–4½ hours | 1–2 | 2–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 13 months | 3–4½ hours | 1–2 | 2–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 14 months | 3½–5 hours | 1–2 | 2–3 h | 11–12 h |
| 15 months | 4–5½ hours | 1 | 2–2.5 h | 11–12 h |
| 18 months | 5–6 hours | 1 | 1.5–2.5 h | 11–12 h |
| 2 years | 5–6 hours | 1 | 1.5–2 h | 10–12 h |
| 3 years | 6–7 hours | 0–1 | 0–1.5 h | 10–12 h |
Total sleep ranges follow American Academy of Pediatrics and National Sleep Foundation guidance. Every baby is different.
The Wake Windows app
Put the phone down. We’ll tell you when it’s nap time.
- A nudge before the window closes, so you start winding down on time.
- Re-plans the day when a nap runs short or long.
- Grows with your baby, from newborn to one-nap toddler.
What are wake windows?
A wake window is the amount of time a baby spends awake between two sleeps, from the moment they wake to the moment they are asleep again. Babies build up sleep pressure while awake: put them down too early and they are not tired enough to fall asleep; too late and they become overtired, which makes settling harder and naps shorter.
Wake windows are a guide, not a stopwatch. Pair them with your baby's sleepy cues, such as a glazed stare, slowing down, yawning or turning away, and you will find the timing that works.
Weeks 1–12
Newborn wake windows by week
In the first 12 weeks wake windows change almost week to week. Newborns start at around 35–45 minutes, and many can manage 75–90 minutes by 3 months.
| Age | Wake window | Naps | Day sleep | Night sleep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 35–45 min | 5–8 | 7–9 h | 8–9 h (broken) |
| 2 weeks | 35–50 min | 5–8 | 7–9 h | 8–9 h (broken) |
| 3 weeks | 40–55 min | 5–7 | 6–8 h | 8–9 h (broken) |
| 4 weeks | 45–60 min | 5–7 | 6–8 h | 8–10 h |
| 5 weeks | 50–70 min | 4–6 | 5–7 h | 8–10 h |
| 6 weeks | 60–75 min | 4–6 | 5–7 h | 8–10 h |
| 7 weeks | 60–80 min | 4–6 | 5–7 h | 9–10 h |
| 8 weeks | 60–90 min | 4–5 | 5–6 h | 9–10 h |
| 9 weeks | 65–90 min | 4–5 | 5–6 h | 9–11 h |
| 10 weeks | 70–90 min | 4–5 | 4–6 h | 9–11 h |
| 11 weeks | 75–95 min | 4–5 | 4–6 h | 10–11 h |
| 12 weeks | 75–105 min | 4–5 | 4–5 h | 10–11 h |
Signs your baby's wake window is too long or too short
Overtired: window too long
- Crying that escalates fast
- Arching, eye rubbing, ear pulling
- A sudden "second wind" of energy
- Naps of 30 minutes or less, early morning waking
Undertired: window too short
- Chatting or playing in the crib for 20+ minutes
- Short naps despite settling easily
- Long stretches awake in the middle of the night
- Refusing the last nap of the day
Frequently asked questions
What is a wake window?
A wake window is the stretch of time a baby can comfortably stay awake between one sleep and the next, measured from the moment they wake up to the moment they are asleep again. It is short for newborns (35–60 minutes) and grows to 5–6 hours by the time a toddler takes one nap.
How long should a newborn be awake?
Most newborns manage 35 to 60 minutes in the first month, stretching to 60–90 minutes by 2 to 3 months. Feeding and diaper changes count toward that time.
Do wake windows include feeding time?
Yes. A wake window runs from when your baby wakes to when they fall asleep, so feeds, changes and play all happen inside it.
Which wake window is the shortest of the day?
Usually the first one after the morning wake-up. Windows tend to lengthen through the day, and the stretch before bedtime is typically the longest.
What are signs my baby is overtired?
Rubbing eyes, arching, crying that escalates quickly, a sudden burst of energy, and short or difficult naps. If you see these often, try shortening wake windows by 10–15 minutes.
Are wake windows the same for every baby?
No. The ranges are averages. Use them as a starting point, then adjust by 10–15 minutes based on how easily your baby falls asleep and how long they nap.