The proper 7 month old wake windows can help your baby take long naps and sleep through the night. While awake times will vary, most 7 month olds are napping every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day. Learn all about your baby’s schedule and awake times here!
Morning Wake Window at 7 Months
The morning wake window for your 7 month old will probably be around 2 hours. Most babies this age stay awake for around 2 hours before they are ready to nap again. The first wake window is usually the shortest of the day even though they just slept 10-12 hours, ideally.
NOTE: If your baby has already transitioned to two naps, you may want to stretch the first wake window to 2 1/2 hours.
Afternoon Wake Window
The 7 month old wake window before the second nap will likely be 2 to 3 hours. If your baby is taking three naps, awake time of 2 hours might work out okay. However, if your baby is taking just two naps, you will likely want to extend this wake window to 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Late Afternoon Wake Window
If your baby is taking three naps, the third wake window before the third nap will usually be 2 to 3 hours. If your baby is taking three short naps, they will likely stay awake just two hours at a time.
Wake Window Before Bedtime
The final wake window before bedtime at 7 months old is usually approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If your baby has transitioned to two naps early, this might be 3 1/2 to 4 hours but most babies this age will become overtired. Be careful about stretching this awake time too long as overtiredness can lead to frequent waking at night.
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How Many Naps for a 7 Month Old?
Your 7 month old wake windows depend largely on how many naps your 7 month old is taking. Most babies this age are still napping three times a day.
If your baby is taking three naps, the wake windows will be 2 to 2 1/2 hours in the morning, 2 to 2 1/2 hours before the second nap, 2 1/2 to 3 hours before the third nap, and 2 1/2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Many babies will sleep “only” 10-11 hours at night right before they drop the third nap.
If your baby is taking two naps a day, the wake windows will usually be 2 1/2 hours before the first nap, 3 hours before the second nap, and 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. These babies typically sleep for 11 to 12 hours at night.
If you aren’t sure how many naps your baby should take, be sure to read our article about when to drop to two naps.
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How To Help Your 7 Month Old Sleep Through the Night
The right schedule means using the right wake windows for your 7 month old. If your baby is well-rested, they are more likely to sleep through the night! If you’re struggling, be sure to download a copy of our free e-Book, 5 Ways to Help Your Child Sleep Through the Night.
