Going Out to Dinner with Kids While on a Sleep Schedule
5 Month Old Sleep: Your Top Questions Answered
When it comes to your 5 month old, sleep can be a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, the 4 month sleep regression is in the rear view mirror. On the other hand, as you approach 6 months, many parents find themselves with a schedule on the verge of 2 naps, but not quite there yet! We talk to many parents that find themselves stuck between a late third nap or an early bedtime.
Fear not, parents of 5 month olds! The good news is that following a sleep schedule and implementing specific strategies can lead to more successful sleep for your little one and your whole family! Let’s tackle this topic by answering all the most common questions you’ve been asking Sleep Wise.
How much sleep does my 5 month old need?
At 5 months of age, the majority of children need 10-12 hours of overnight sleep and 3-4 hours of daytime sleep, for a total of 13-16 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Many babies at this age are still taking three naps yet may begin to show signs they are ready to move to a 2-nap schedule. Bedtime can shift somewhat from day to day based on your child’s wake windows for that day. Your 5-month-old will go through multiple sleep cycles every night. Each cycle consists of several stages of sleep, including both REM and non-REM sleep. Parents often experience challenges such as overnight wakings and early morning wakeups at this age. Without independent sleep skills, your child may struggle to go back to sleep when waking between cycles.
What is a good sleep schedule for a 5 month old?
A consistent schedule of sleep and awake time is beneficial for making sure your little one is getting optimal sleep both day and night. Your little one is moving towards more of a set schedule, but it’s helpful at this age to follow wake times to help prevent your child being under or over tired. Many 5-month-olds need between 2 and 2.5 hours of wake time between naps and bedtime.
7:00AM Wake
7:10AM Feed
9:00-10:30AM Nap
10:40AM Feed
12:45-2:15PM Nap
2:25PM Feed
4:45-5:30PM Nap
5:40PM Small feed
7:30PM Feed, Bath, PJs, Read Book
8:00PM Bedtime
Following this awake time schedule for naps allows your little one to build an appropriate amount of sleep pressure throughout the day. At this age, the last nap of the day will likely be shorter as your child will soon transition to just two naps. During the last 30 minutes of your little one’s day, it is helpful to create a consistent bedtime routine each night. This calming routine may include a feed, bath, a quick massage with lotion, and pjs, read a book and put into bed wide awake. This is a perfect time to slow down and connect with your baby before a long stretch of sleep.
What does my baby need in their room?
Certain aspects of your little one’s sleep environment can have an big impact on their quality of sleep every night. An ideal temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees and complete darkness is optimal for helping your baby fall asleep. Blackout curtains can help tremendously with providing this dark environment. You may also consider using a sound machine to block out any external noises inside or outside the home. Creating a cool, dark, quiet space can help eliminate some of those overnight and early morning wakings.
Why won’t my 5 month old sleep through the night?
For the sake of answering this question, let’s assume your child falls asleep on their own. If your child begins waking up overnight, there are some common reasons and solutions for challenges at this age.
Feeding
If your child is waking multiple times throughout the night to eat, it’s possible that it may be more out of habit than nutritional need at this age. Until 6 months of age and/or weighing 15 lbs, your baby may still need one overnight feed. If you’re baby doesn’t settle back to sleep on their own, it’s okay to offer a night feed. We also recommend ensure that your baby’s feedings during the day are adequate.
Early morning wakings
Many times an adjustment in lighting can impact these wake-ups. Make sure your baby’s room is just as dark in the early morning hours as it is in the middle of the night. Another reason for early morning wakings may be a need to adjust wake times. Your child may need more awake time before bed to build sleep pressure. Early morning wakings can be caused by many things, and can take time to resolve.
Teething/Illness
Try your best to maintain your bedtime routine. If you need to give medicine, try giving it at the beginning of the routine to allow your baby to calm and be ready to fall asleep at bedtime. If your baby wakes up during the night, check their symptoms and respond accordingly. You may need to add in an overnight feed, especially if your little one isn’t eating as much during the day. Your baby may also sleep more than normal as sleep is an important part of the healing process! With independent sleep skills, your child should bounce back once they are feeling better or a couple of days after a new tooth comes through.
How can I improve my baby’s sleep?
Often it can be difficult to pinpoint what is affecting your child’s sleep. First, we recommend keeping a log to track your baby’s sleep and feeding patterns. This can help identify any trends you notice on certain days. At 5 months old, your baby is changing and growing every day. Second, following a sleep schedule, like the one I shared above, allows your little one to develop rhythms to their day and nights. Lastly, implementing a bedtime routine helps create repeatable and predictable habits around sleep that will lead to a well-rested baby and family.
Every family deserves the benefits of improved mood, learning and health. If your child hasn’t yet learned independent sleep skills, we are here to help. Reach out to a consultant for a free evaluation call to learn more about our individualized plans. Our desire is to walk alongside you and give you the confidence to teach your child these valuable, lifelong skills! Life with a 5 month old can be exciting and full of joy, but it may all start to feel overwhelming, especially if you are experiencing a lack of sleep. Take time to care for yourself when you can and make sure to seek help when needed.