Wake windows for a newborn
In the first weeks a newborn can usually stay awake 35 min – 1 hr 5 min between sleeps. Rytmi starts from 50 min, then learns your baby’s own rhythm from a few days of logs.
When to put your baby down next
Wake window — usually —
Next nap around — usually —
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In the first weeks
| Starting point | Usual range | |
|---|---|---|
| Wake window | 50 min | 35 min – 1 hr 5 min |
| Next nap after waking at 7:00 AM | 7:50 AM | 7:35 AM – 8:05 AM |
| Time between feeds | 2 hr 30 min | 1 hr 45 min – 3 hr 15 min |
| Bedtime | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
What changes at this age
Sleep comes in short stretches around the clock, and feeds shape the day more than any schedule does. Time awake is short: often just long enough to feed, burp, change a diaper and look around for a few minutes.
Days and nights are still mixed up at this age, so treat the bedtime below loosely: it is where Rytmi starts, not a time to aim for. The early signs of tiredness are easy to miss — a glazed stare, turning away from faces, a sudden fuss — so it helps to start winding down a little before the window closes.
From about 1 month, Rytmi starts from 1 hr 5 min.
Signs the window is closing
Playing more slowly than usual, rubbing their eyes, turning away, fussing for no clear reason — the window is closing, even if the numbers say there is time left. It works the other way as well: an alert, busy baby doesn’t have to fall asleep on schedule.
Where these numbers come from
These are the age-based starting points Rytmi uses until your baby has a history of their own. Once there are enough entries, the app works from your baby instead: their own wake windows, their own bedtime, their own time between feeds.
- They are not medical norms and not a diagnosis
- The middle of the range is a guide, not a target
- Your baby’s own rhythm beats any chart
Read next
Short naps: why they happen and what helps
Wake windows by age
Newborn · 2 months · 3 months · 4 months · 5 months · 6 months · 8 months · 9 months · All ages
Rytmi does the math for you
Log a few naps and feeds, and the app starts showing your baby’s own wake windows instead of averages.
Rytmi is on iPhone for now. The Android app isn’t on Google Play yet.
For iPhone · free · no ads
The ranges on this page are for planning the day and are not medical advice. For questions about your child’s health, sleep and development, talk to your pediatrician.