Baby Sleep Calculator: Wake Windows by Age

Enter your baby's age and this morning's wake-up time to get an age-appropriate nap schedule, wake windows, and suggested bedtime - newborn through toddler.

Baby Sleep & Wake Window Calculator

Pick your baby's age and morning wake-up time. We'll suggest nap times and bedtime based on age-appropriate wake windows.

Suggested Schedule

2.25h
Wake Window
3
Naps / Day
14h
Total Sleep
  • Wake up7:00 AM
  • Nap 1 startsafter ~2.25h awake9:15 AM
  • Nap 1 ends~75 min nap10:30 AM
  • Nap 2 startsafter ~2.25h awake12:45 PM
  • Nap 2 ends~75 min nap2:00 PM
  • Nap 3 startsafter ~2.25h awake4:15 PM
  • Nap 3 ends~75 min nap5:30 PM
  • Suggested bedtimeafter final wake window7:45 PM

Wake Windows by Age (Quick Reference)

AgeWake WindowNaps / DayTotal Sleep
0–1 month45–60 min4–514–17h
1–2 months60–90 min4–514–16h
2–3 months75–105 min414–16h
3–4 months1.5–2h414–15h
4–6 months2–2.5h3–413–15h
6–9 months2.5–3h313–14h
9–12 months3–4h212–14h
12–18 months4–5h1–212–14h
18m–3 years5–6h111–14h

Ranges are typical guidance from pediatric sleep research. Your baby may be 15–30 minutes either side - that's normal.

How to use wake windows

  • Start the clock when baby fully wakes up, not when their eyes first open.
  • The first wake window of the day is usually shortest. Don't push it.
  • The last wake window before bed is usually longest. Often by 30–60 minutes.
  • Watch the baby, not the clock. Sleepy cues - eye rubbing, glazed staring, ear pulling - beat any chart.
  • If naps go short, try a slightly shorter wake window. Overtired babies sleep worse, not better.

Share Sleep Wins with Family - Privately

First nap in the cot, longest stretch yet, finally dropping the third nap - the small wins are the ones grandparents love most. Clann is a private family photo app where you can share daily moments without public posting, and family can reply with voice notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wake window?

A wake window is the length of time a baby can comfortably stay awake between sleeps before becoming overtired. Wake windows lengthen as babies get older - newborns can usually only manage 45–60 minutes awake, while a 12-month-old might tolerate 3–4 hours. Following age-appropriate wake windows is one of the most reliable ways to avoid the overtired-then-can't-sleep cycle.

What are the wake windows by age?

Approximate guidelines: Newborn (0–1mo) ~45–60 min; 1–2 months ~60–90 min; 2–3 months ~75–105 min; 3–4 months ~1.5–2 hours; 4–6 months ~2–2.5 hours; 6–9 months ~2.5–3 hours; 9–12 months ~3–4 hours; 12–18 months ~4–5 hours; 18 months–3 years ~5–6 hours. Use the calculator above to plug in your baby's age and wake time.

How much sleep does my baby need in 24 hours?

A rough total: newborns 14–17 hours, 1–3 months ~14–16 hours, 4–11 months ~12–15 hours (including naps), 1–2 years ~11–14 hours, 3–5 years ~10–13 hours. Individual babies vary by 1–2 hours either way - use these as a sanity check, not a target.

How many naps should my baby take?

Roughly: 0–3 months: 4–5 naps (often unpredictable). 3–6 months: 3–4 naps. 6–9 months: 3 naps. 9–15 months: 2 naps (the morning nap usually drops between 12–18 months). 15 months–3 years: 1 nap. Around age 3–5, the last nap is typically dropped.

When should I drop a nap?

Common signs your baby is ready: persistent bedtime resistance, very early waking, refusing one of the naps, or shortening their longest nap dramatically for a week or more. The 3-to-2 transition usually happens around 6–9 months, 2-to-1 around 13–18 months, and dropping the last nap typically between 3–4 years.

What time should bedtime be?

For most babies and toddlers, an age-appropriate bedtime falls between 6:30pm and 8:00pm, calculated as the final wake window after the last nap. The calculator above does that math for you. Earlier bedtimes (closer to 6:30pm) are common for babies under 1 year and after a short last nap.

Are wake windows exact?

No. Wake windows are averages and your baby is not an average. Use them as a starting frame and adjust by 15–30 minutes based on your baby's sleepy cues - rubbing eyes, ear pulling, getting clingy, staring off. The first wake window of the day is often the shortest; the last is often the longest.

How do I save these milestones with family?

Clann is a private family photo app where grandparents and family can see daily photos and respond with voice notes - no public posting. Many parents share quick milestone updates ("first nap in the cot!") so far-away family stay close to the day-to-day rather than just the highlights.

Keep Family Close to Every Milestone

Share daily photos and sleep wins privately - no Facebook, no Instagram, no AI training. Free to download.