5 month old sleep schedule

Three naps is the classic 5 month pattern: a morning nap, a longer midday nap and a short late-afternoon catnap. Longer wake windows mean the day starts to have a clear shape.

Naps
3
Wake window
2–2.5 h
Total sleep / 24 h
12–16 h (incl. naps)
Night
10–12 h in bed
Daytime sleep
3–4 h
Bedtime
6:30–8pm

Adjust this 5 month old schedule

Plan the day from
Wake windows
2 h → 2 h 10 min → 2 h 20 min → 2 h 30 min
Daytime sleep
3 h 25 min
Night in bed
11 h 35 min
Typical 24 h total
12–16 h (incl. naps)

Your day at a glance

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Night sleepNapsAwake
  1. 7:00amWake up for the day
  2. 9:00am–10:15amNap 1 · 1 h 15 min
  3. 12:25pm–1:55pmNap 2 · 1 h 30 min
  4. 4:15pm–4:55pmNap 3 · 40 min
  5. 7:25pmBedtime · start routine 6:55pm

A flexible guide built from typical ranges. Watch your baby's sleepy cues and shift by 15–30 minutes as needed. Every sleep: on the back, in a clear, flat crib (AAP).

Sample 5 month old schedule

3-nap day, 7am wake-up

7:00amWake up for the day
9:00am–10:15amNap 1 (1 h 15 min)
12:25pm–1:55pmNap 2 (1 h 30 min)
4:15pm–4:55pmNap 3 (40 min)
7:25pmBedtime

Wake windows: 2 h, 2 h 10 min, 2 h 20 min, 2 h 30 min.

What helps at this age

  • Protect the midday nap; it is usually the longest and most restorative.
  • Aim to finish the catnap about 2.5 hours before bedtime.
  • If your baby wakes for the day before 6am, check the room is dark enough.

These are typical ranges. If your baby seems unusually sleepy, is hard to wake, snores loudly, pauses in breathing, or isn't feeding or growing well, talk to your pediatrician.

5 month old sleep questions

How many naps should a 5 month old take?

Typically 3 naps a day, adding up to about 3–4 h of daytime sleep.

What is the wake window for a 5 month old?

Usually 2–2.5 h. The first wake window of the day tends to be the shortest and the stretch before bedtime the longest.

How much sleep does a 5 month old need?

About 12–16 h (incl. naps) in 24 hours, with 10–12 h in bed. This matches the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendation endorsed by the AAP.

What time should a 5 month old go to bed?

6:30–8pm. Pick a bedtime that falls one full wake window after the end of the last nap.