You’ve likely heard that as soon as your baby yawns, rubs their eyes or forehead, or sports those bright red eyebrows, it’s time to rush them off to bed. But here’s the thing no one tells you: babies do all of those things throughout the day—long before they’re truly ready to sleep. If you respond every time your little one yawns, nap time can become frustrating, overtired, and short-lived.

So what’s the real secret?

It’s not one or the other—it’s both. When you combine your baby’s natural “tired signs” with their age-appropriate awake window, you’ll catch them at the moment they’re truly ready to settle. That’s when sleep becomes simpler and days feel calmer.

Why tired signs alone can mislead you

• Every baby yawns. Yawning helps them regulate their breathing and oxygen levels—just like you do when you’re bored or stretching.
• Eye rubbing and fussing don’t always mean sleep. These behaviours can signal digestion, teething, overstimulation or simply a momentary frustration.
• Responding too early can backfire. If you head to the cot at the first yawn, you risk cutting into their optimal awake time, leading to shorter naps or frequent night-time wakings.

What is an awake window?

Your baby’s awake window is the ideal span of time they can stay awake between sleeps before becoming overtired. It varies by age:

• Newborns (0–6 weeks): 45–60 minutes
• 6–12 weeks: 1–1½ hours
• 3–4 months: 1½–2 hours
• 5–6 months: 2–2½ hours
• 7–9 months: 2½–3 hours

(These are general guidelines—some babies need a little more or less.)

How to combine tired signs with awake windows

Track awake time

From the moment your baby wakes, start noting the clock. You can use a simple timer or a free app.

Observe for sleep cues.

As you near the end of the awake window, watch for increased yawning, rubbing, or fussiness.

Match the moment.

If the awake window has almost elapsed and you see real tired signs (not the random yawns or rubs), that’s your cue to begin the wind-down routine.

Keep the routine consistent

Follow the same steps—dim lights, quiet play or reading, gentle cuddles—so your baby associates those actions with sleep.

When tired signs and awake windows align, you’ll notice:

• Longer, deeper naps
• Fewer early wakings
• A more content baby (and parent)

Ready to uncover your baby’s natural rhythm?

If you’re still unsure whether to trust tired signs—or want to map out the perfect awake windows for your little one—let’s work together. In a personalised sleep and routine consultation, we’ll use the 5 Routine Foundations to gently guide you forward and make sleep simple again.

Book your consultation today and bring calm back to your days.