Awake Windows
Understanding awake windows and learning to read a child’s tired cues will result in a more settled baby, and parent. Each baby is different but identifying their awake windows will help parents to look for tired signs and respond to their baby before they becomes overtired and unsettled. It’s not about clock watching, but it is about knowing how much sleep little one’s need and how this changes depending on their age. Infant awake windows refer to the period of time that a baby can comfortably stay awake before needing to go back to sleep. These awake windows vary depending on the age of the infant and can play a crucial role in establishing healthy sleep patterns and preventing overtiredness. The awake time starts from the moment a baby wakes through to the moment they are asleep again. It includes feeding, changing, playing and winding down for sleep. Newborns have very short awake windows, typically lasting 45 minutes to an hour. As babies grow and develop, their awake windows gradually lengthen.
0-3 months - Varies depending on baby
3-6 months - 1.5 - 3hrs
6-12 months - 2 - 4.5hrs
It is really important to understand that these are a ROUGH guideline and that provided sleep is working for your family then there is no need to change anything. These wake window timeframes will depend heavily on the temperament and sleep needs of your child.
Tired cues
Tired signs are the cues that a baby will display when they are communicating to us that they need to wind down, reduce the stimulation and get ready for some sleep. Being able to read a baby’s tired signs is important so that we can be proactive and offer sleep before they get overtired. Common tired signs for little ones may include;
- closing their fists
- pulling at their ears or hair
- jerky or shaking movements
- yawning
- rubbing eyes
- vacant look/staring into space
- quieter/less chatty
- grizzling
- sucking thumb/hand
It is important to note that your childs tired cues will change and evolve as their communication evolves. Not all childrens tired cues are the same. You may find that it is trial and error to know what your babies tired cues are at each stage. Responding to these cues and providing an opportunity for sleep within their appropriate awake window can help prevent overtiredness, which can make it more challenging for infants to fall asleep and stay asleep.