5 Month Old Sleep Schedule: Naps, Bedtime, & Tips!

Is the sleep routine of your 5-month-old child more perplexing than an infant Einstein puzzle? Remain calm! 

After reading this guide, you and your child will have pleasant dreams (and perhaps some naps!), which also reveals the solutions to common sleep problems and helps with bedtime and naps.

✨ Rest soundly! ✨

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How much sleep does a 5-month-old need?

Infants between 4 and 11 months should get 12 to 16 hours of sleep daily.

While some infants might start sleeping through the night at around 5 or 6 months old, infants still get a significant portion of their total sleep from naps during the day.

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Recommended number and duration of naps at 5 months

Your five-month-old is starting to break away from the sleep patterns of a newborn and find their rhythm. The magical number: most 5-month-olds sleep for 2.5–3.5 hours during the day, or three to four naps a day.

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How to establish a 5-month-old sleep schedule

Do you recall those lovely naps as a newborn? Around five months, there are frequently remarkable developmental advances, but occasionally, sleep suffers. 

Remain optimistic! With its collection of calming advice and romantic sleep techniques, this guide assists you in creating a sleep plan that works for your beloved musician.

You can expand here with this complete blog about: baby bedtime routine

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1. Create a consistent bedtime routine

Create a relaxing evening ritual. Imagine a warm bath, a light massage, and calming music (for ideas on lullabies, browse our StoryBook collection!).

To achieve consistency, try to follow the same methods every night. See how to do it! 👀

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2. Establish a daytime nap routine

Be aware of your baby's sleepy cues, such as rubbing of the eyes, yawning, and fussiness. Establishing a sleep-wake relationship is facilitated by a fast response.

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3. Watch for sleep cues

 Establish a peaceful, dark, and cold sleeping space. Use white noise cautiously, as it can obscure sounds from the home.

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4. Create a comfortable sleep environment

Even though your 5-month-old is young, their sleeping environment has a tremendous impact on how well they can sleep. Consider it their private sanctuary, affecting the length and caliber of their sleep. 

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5. Encourage daytime exposure to natural light

Get as much natural light as possible during the day to help your body's internal clock adjust for better sleep at night.

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6. Be mindful of wake windows

Understand your baby's "wake windows", or the best period between sleep cycles, in Wake Windows, Not Wars. For a helpful summary, see our wake windows by age guide! Maintaining these windows improves the quality of your sleep.

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5-month-old sleep schedule sample including naps

Here's a sample schedule to help your little one towards more predictable and restful sleep, both for them and for you. Remember, every baby is unique, so be sure to adjust this as needed to fit your child's individual needs.

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5-month-old sleep schedule tips

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• Establish a consistent bedtime routine: Start with calming activities like a warm bath, gentle massage, or reading a book before putting your baby to bed.

• Encourage naps during the day: Aim for three to four naps throughout the day, each lasting about 1-2 hours. Try to keep naps consistent in terms of timing and environment.

• Create a conducive sleep environment: Ensure the room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Consider using white noise machines or gentle lullabies to help soothe your baby to sleep.

• Encourage self-soothing: Help your baby learn to fall asleep on their own by putting them down drowsy but awake. This can help them develop healthy sleep associations.

• Be flexible: Understand that sleep patterns may vary from day to day, and it's okay to adjust the schedule as needed based on your baby's cues and developmental milestones.

To learn more about naps and practical examples, check out this blog:  new born bedtime routine

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