By the time your baby is around 5 months old, you will experience great changes, one of these changes includes the 5-month-old sleep schedule and nap time. When the baby is 5 months old, you will experience that your baby is becoming more active and playful, the baby has become more interested in his/her surroundings, and the baby also starts to babble and try to mimic the sounds and speeches he listens to around him.
Your 5 months old may also show signs of new baby teeth in his gums, your baby also is consuming 24 to 36 ounces of milk through breastfeeding or formula feeding. The baby is also developing fast with sharper vision and strong arms, legs, and neck. All of these changes greatly impact the baby’s sleeping patterns, he/she starts to sleep less during the day and the night sleeping time increases. In this article, we are going to tell you what you should expect from a 5-month-old sleep schedule.
How much should your baby around the age of 5 months old sleep?
When your baby is around the age of 5 months old they should sleep 12 to 15 hours during a 24-hour cycle, this means a night sleep of a solid 10 to 11 hours and 3 naps during the day lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours. The sleep schedule is not fixed for any baby because they are still going through changes.
5-month-old sample sleep schedule.
Around this age, the sleep schedule can vary from baby to baby according to their development, preferences, and temperament. Their night sleep is between 10 to 11 hours and 3 naps during the day. A sample sleep schedule that includes three naps during the day which range from 30 minutes to two hours.
- 7:00 a.m.: Awake for the first time.
- 8:45 a.m.: First Nap of the day.
- 10:45 a.m.: Awake for the second time.
- 12:30 p.m.: Second Nap of the day.
- 2:30 p.m.: Awake for the third time.
- 4:30 p.m.: Third Nap of the day.
- 5:00 p.m.: Awake for the fourth time.
- 6:30 p.m.: Bedtime routine starts.
- 7:00 p.m.: Bedtime.
Sleep training your 5-month-old.
Most parents experience trouble due to their babies not falling asleep at times they want them to, so if you are a sleep-deprived parent, you can sleep-train your 5-month-old to solve this problem. It is not necessary to sleep-train your baby, but if you want them to have a proper sleep schedule, then you can sleep-train them. When your baby is around 4-month-old your pediatrician will give you the green signal to sleep-train your baby. These methods will let the baby sleep at the same time without feeding them to sleep.
Although there are different methods to sleep-train your baby, you can choose the method you are comfortable with and that is most suitable for you. These methods include the Ferber method or the chair method. There is also a method that includes no parental intervention at all, you can also try soothing them to sleep which decreases over time. Once you have sleep-trained your baby it will do wonders for you, and for many babies, it will solve their sleeping problems. A baby who sleeps without any fights or problems will stay healthy and active during the day.
Does sleep regression exist for 5-month-old babies?
If you are experiencing that your baby is not following his sleep habits or is showing changed behaviors in sleeping habits, he may be going through a sleeping regression. Sleeping regressions can start from 4 months old and occur till your baby is 6 months old.
The symptoms of sleeping regression include waking up at night regularly, early waking up or not going to sleep at night at all. The baby may also resist the bedtime you have developed through sleep training.
Sleep regressions are very bothersome for all the parents but don’t worry they are temporary and go away in a few weeks by encouraging healthy sleeping habits.
Sleeping tips for a 5-month-old.
Here are some tips for developing a healthy sleeping habit for your baby.
- Learn the signs of the baby’s sleep readiness: These signs include rubbing of eyes, yawning and sucking of the thumb, etc. When you notice these signs putting the baby to bed will encourage him to sleep and develop healthy sleeping habits.
- Sticking to the routine: If you stick to a routine like reading a book, taking a bath, and listening to music before bedtime will put the baby into a good mode and it will lead to developing a healthy sleeping routine.
Help him practice new techniques/skills during the day.
Make time for the baby to sleep in the crib.
What are the sleeping problems of a 5-month-old?
Some babies can have sleep problems when they are around the age of 5-month-old. These sleeping problems include the following:
- Crankiness: If your baby starts teething even though he doesn’t have any white pearl teeth, you can try giving him a teething ring to ease the pressure, if the problem persists consult a pediatrician.
- Waking up at night: If you experience that your 5-month-old has suddenly become a night owl and you have become sleep-deprived then try to comfort your baby or sing him a lullaby when he wakes up, don’t pick him up and keep the interaction minimum.
- Fewer naps during the day: Your 5-month-old baby also takes fewer naps during the day which makes him overtired, try preparing a sleeping environment for the baby which will soothe the baby and he will take more naps during the day.
Final words from Nanny Square.
Your 5 months old is going through many changes, so the sleep schedule for your 5-month-old is also changed. The baby is now taking fewer naps during the day and sleeping more through the night. You should encourage healthy sleeping habits for the baby and keep his tummy full.
