How Much Time Awake?

Hi L.,

Your story sounds like my story! My son is now 7 months and is just beginning to go for longer 2.5-3 hour stretches. Many times 2 hours is still his limit, though. Up until he was about 3-4 months old 1 hour was his max!

I used to worry and ask the pedi and other moms how long their kids stayed awake, and then wonder if something was wrong with my son. I finally came to realize (and learn from the great Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child book) that my son just needed more sleep to be happy and I was also very tuned into his needs. Lots of families ignore the sleepy/cranky signs and keep their kids awake too long.

You are a good mama, tuned into your son's needs, and putting him down to nap instead of dragging him around everywhere that you want to go or overstimulating him when he just wants to sleep. Like another poster said, as long as he is content, growing well and eating well, and developing fine, everything is a-ok! We just need to enjoy the extra nap time our sons give us instead of worrying about it. I know, easier said than done! :)

Warmly,
L.

I found a lot of help from the book "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child". At times I remember 2 hours was the longest stretch my son could do, sometimes at 16 months it still is in the am, he gets up at 6am and goes back down at 8am. I hope you find what works for you.

Two hours or less awake at a time is totally normal and very healthy for baby. My son is 7 months and can still barely go 2 - 2.5 hours before he needs a nap.

Hi L.,
I could have written this!! My little girl is the exact same way! I think they're fine, though! :-) In the morning, her first nap comes very soon after her wake up. She gets longer stretches of awake time thru the course of the day and then by 4:30/5, it's almost like the morning again. Sometimes, she'll wake from a nap at 4:30 and need a power 30 minutes an hour or so later to help her thru the night routine. If your little one is happy and eating well during the day, don't worry about it. I'm a teacher too and I'm trying not to think too much about "scheduling" her. She'll get that in daycare in Sept. Hope this helps!
S.

Your son sounds like he's doing fine. If he needs the naps, then let him take them. If you keep him up longer, he'll just be crankier. If he's sleeping, eating, and playing well, then you sound right on track!

I don't think I would worry. My daughter is 8 months old and is just getting into the routine of sleeping through the night. She still wakes up once per night to eat. She'll take two 2-hour naps during the day. This routine is new--since I am home on summer vacation (also a teacher!) While she was at the baby-sitter's, she would sleep much more. As you have heard millions of times, all babies are different! And it sounds to me that your son is perfectly normal and will get into more of a daytime nap routine once he gets a little older.

I think it is perfectly normal. I would simply attribute it to a growth spurt (which usually happens right around 6 mos). I wouldnt worry yet unless he seems extremely tired even when awake (almost lathargic - then I would consult a doctor). But at that age I think he is fine, as long as he is eating well and gaining weight, etc.

Dear L.,
Your son is healthy and normal! And you are doing a good job as a Mom,by observing him closely and responding to his needs. Please try to keep trusting your son, and respect his natural rhythms and needs around sleep. Some babies are more sleepy than others,and a lot of growing and developing happens while your child is sleeping! Eventually, your son will be able to stay awake for longer periods of time,and will consolidate his day time sleep into two longer naps. A good good book about children's sleep habits and needs is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Doctor Marc Weissbluth. It could be a reassuring resource for you- most Mom's I know consult it because they are trying to get their babies to sleep more LOL, but you don't seem to have that problem! Good luck and enjoy your little guy. L. S.

This is very normal! My LO could not stay awake for 3 hours until she was 7 months old. At about 6 months she started to transition to 2.5 hours a day. I hope that helps!