Looking for 9 month old wake windows and how that fits into your baby’s sleep schedule? We’ve got you covered!
Nine months is such a fun time in baby land.
Let’s talk about how 9-month-old wake windows can impact your baby’s sleep schedule and what their overall day might look like.
To help you better, start by downloading my free baby sleep calculator to see when nap time and bed time should be based on your baby’s age. Click here to grab that, it’ll be super helpful.
How Long Should Wake Windows be for My 9-Month-Old?
At 9 months old, your baby’s wake windows will be between 3 to 3.5 hours.
Most babies will do well with the following wake windows at 9 months old:
- 3–3.25 hour awake time after they wake up for the day
- 3.5 hours between their first and second nap
- 3–3.5 hours between their last nap and bedtime
Babies should have about 13 to 14 hrs of total sleep, with about 11 to 12 hours at night and 2 to 3 hours in day sleep.
How Many Naps Should a 9-Month Old Take?
By 9 months old, your baby is ready to be on a 2-nap schedule. In fact, they’ve probably already made that transition by dropping the third nap.
That means a 9-month-old sleep schedule includes two 1.25-1.5 hour-long naps, and three 3 to 3.5-hour long wake windows.
Some 9-month-olds can stay on this 2-nap schedule using a consistent 3-hour wake window between each sleep. But keep in mind that there’s flexibility in the wake windows, so they don’t have to all be the same length.
In fact, for many babies, the first wake window of the day is slightly shorter than the others. They’re ready for that first nap.
9-Month Old Sleep Schedule
Here’s a sample sleep schedule based on the recommended wake windows for your 9-month old.
7:00 am — Wake for the day
10:00–11:15 am — Nap
2:45-4 pm — Nap
7:30 pm — Bedtime
Sleep and Feed Schedules for Every Age
Take away the stress of figuring out your baby’s sleep needs. With the Baby Sleep Schedule Binder, you’ll get sleeping and feeding schedules that you can implement for every age, even if you currently have no routine in place. Check out the Baby Sleep Schedule Binder here.
What is the 9-Month Sleep Regression?
Your baby is going through a lot of developmental changes at this age, which could lead to a 9 month sleep regression.
Here are some signs your baby is going through this sleep regression:
- Resisting nap time or bedtime
- More frequent night wakings or new night wake ups if your baby was sleeping through the night
- Increased crying or fussiness at sleep times
- Your baby waking up too early from naps or in the morning
The important thing to keep in mind about sleep regressions is that they are temporary setbacks.
It’s tempting when you’re in the midst of a regression to try to change your baby’s sleep schedule to “fix” it. Unfortunately, that can often cause more disruption than help.
Give your baby plenty of time to practice their new skills during the day and use a sleep training method if needed, so you don’t revert to habits that will be hard to break down the line!
Frequently Asked Questions About 9 Month Wake Windows
Is 9 months too early for one nap?
Nine months is most likely too early to transition to one nap. If your baby is struggling with sleep, it’s more than likely they need a schedule shift or are going through the 9 month sleep regression.
Is 9 Months too late to sleep train?
It’s never too late to start teaching your child the skill of how to sleep. If you want a step-by-step approach, my Baby D.R.E.A.M. System can help.
Should I Wake My 9-Month-Old From a Nap?
It can be hard to wake a peacefully sleeping baby, but I always had to wake up my daughter in order to preserve her night sleep.
At this age, wake your baby up if they’ve been napping for 2 hours. Don’t let naps go over 2 hours at this point.
Sometimes it’s worth waking your baby when they’re sleeping too late in the afternoon, so you don’t impact their bedtime and cut into their nighttime sleep hours.
When Should I Increase Wake Windows?
If your baby is struggling with sleep consistently, it may be time to increase their wake windows. Here are some signs that your baby needs more awake time:
- They take more than 15 minutes to fall asleep at bedtime or for naps
- Your baby is having split nights or waking up in the night
- Your baby is waking up too early in the morning
If you have questions about the 9 month old wake windows, leave them below.
My goal is to help tired parents get sleep, so the whole family can thrive!
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