Before we dive in, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Wake windows simply refer to the time your baby spends awake between sleeps.

For example:

• The first wake window is from when your baby wakes in the morning to their first nap.
• The second wake window is the time between Nap 1 and Nap 2.
• And so on…

Sounds straightforward, right?

But here’s where things get tricky.

On the surface, wake windows offer predictability. Knowing how long your baby should be able to stay awake can help you plan your day—naps, feeds, outings. Many parents are also told that wake windows prevent overtiredness (spoiler: overtiredness isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, but we’ll get to that later).

If you follow wake windows and they’re working for you—great! But if you’re struggling with naps, bedtime battles, or night wakes, then rigidly sticking to them might actually be making things worse.

Here’s the truth:

Your Baby Is Not A Robot!

They are a growing, changing human with evolving needs. You can’t program them to sleep based on a chart you found online.

Babies’ awake times vary massively—and I mean massively. In my 26+ years of working with babies, I’ve cared for a 6-month-old who could barely manage 1.5 hours awake before needing a nap. I’ve also looked after a 6-month-old who stayed awake for 5.5 hours before bedtime without a problem.

That’s an enormous difference. Four hours difference!

Now, imagine a parent with a low-sleep-needs baby trying to put them down every two hours because that’s what a wake window chart says. They’ll likely run into:

• Fighting sleep (because they’re not tired enough!)
• Short naps (because they’re not tired enough!)
• Early wakes (because they’re not tired enough- have you spotted the theme here?)

Another reason wake windows can be unhelpful? Your baby’s wake times don’t just change month to month—they can change day to day.

For example:

• The first wake window of the day is usually the shortest, while the last is often the longest to build sleep pressure for night sleep.
• But not always—some babies have pretty even wake times throughout the day.
• Wake windows fluctuate when babies are unwell, teething, or in a developmental leap.

If you’re rigidly sticking to wake window advice, you might be missing what your baby actually needs.

I’m not saying to throw wake windows out the window (pun intended). If they work for you, great. But if you’re dealing with sleep struggles, consider that your baby might need more awake time than you’ve been told.

My advice? Observe your baby.

• Do they actually seem tired when you’re putting them down?
• Could they stay awake longer?
• Are they yawning out of sleepiness or just boredom?

One of the biggest myths in baby sleep is that “overtiredness” ruins everything.

But here’s the thing: Your baby needs to be tired to sleep well.

Think about it—when you yawn during the day, do you immediately put on your pyjamas and go to bed? No. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. The same goes for babies.

Next time you see a yawn or eye rub, try:

• Moving to a different room
• Engaging in a new activity
• Going outside for fresh air

You might find your baby stays awake happily longer than you expected. And when they do go to sleep, they’ll settle more easily and possibly sleep longer, too.

• The worst that can happen? They get really tired and need some extra comfort to settle. And that’s okay.

Hello. I'm Janna, Mum of one, step-Mum to another and ex-nanny of many. I am so passionate about helping families like yours get the rest you deserve and I support you to do that in a way that truly aligns with your parenting style and values-  this really is a judgment-free zone. From gently encouraging a 6 month old to settle independently to helping a 5-year-old have the confidence to stay in bed all night- I've got you covered.