What to Expect with Sleep at 5–7 Months Old

So, your baby is officially out of the fourth trimester, the 4-month sleep regression may be behind you, and you’re wondering what comes next. Welcome to the 5 to 7 month stage—where sleep gets more consistent and a little more interesting (hello, rolling and separation anxiety!).

Below you'll find a sample schedule, common milestones, and how to manage the biggest sleep disruptions at this age.

5–7 Month Sample Sleep Schedule

Think of this as a starting point, not a strict timeline. Your baby’s needs will fluctuate—some days they’ll nap longer, others they’ll be more alert and need more awake time.

Wake-Up: Between 6:00–8:00 AM
Nap 1: After 1.5–2 hours awake
Nap 2: After 2–2.5 hours awake
Nap 3: After another 2–2.5 hours awake (often a short catnap)
Bedtime: After 2–3 hours awake (typically between 6:00–8:00 PM)

💤 Most babies are on 3 naps per day by now. If naps are short or inconsistent, I’ve got tips here: How to Handle Short Naps

Rolling + Sleep Disruptions

Around this age, many babies start to roll over, and it can totally throw sleep off. You might notice:

• More frequent night wakings

• Baby waking up stuck or surprised on their tummy

• Shorter naps

The good news? It’s temporary—and yes, it’s safe for baby to sleep on their tummy as long as they got there themselvesand are in a safe sleep space.

🌀 Here’s my full guide on what to do when rolling messes with sleep: Rolling + Baby Sleep

Developmental Milestones to Expect

There’s so much happening at this stage that can influence sleep, including:

• Increased mobility (rolling, starting to sit, pivoting on the floor)

• More awake time tolerance (some babies can handle up to 3 hours before bedtime!)

• Dropping the 4th nap and settling into a more consistent 3-nap day

• Starting solids (hello, messy mealtimes and new textures)

• Cognitive leaps like object permanence, which can impact sleep...

Separation Anxiety + Object Permanence

Around 6–7 months, babies begin to understand that you still exist even when they can’t see you (a concept called object permanence). This is exciting for their brain—but can trigger some clinginess and resistance to separation, especially at bedtime.

This is when separation anxiety tends to pop up. You might notice:

• Increased crying at bedtime

• Resistance when being put down for naps

• More nighttime wake-ups wanting reassurance

Totally normal—and totally manageable. 💛

📘 Read more here: Separation Anxiety + Baby Sleep
🎧 Or listen on the go: Podcast Episode: Managing Separation Anxiety

Thinking About Sleep Teaching?

5–7 months is a golden window for starting sleep teaching because your baby’s sleep cycles are now fully matured. If you're looking for longer stretches of sleep, easier naps, and fewer false starts, this is a great age to lay down those sleep foundations.

Inside the Cozy Baby Sleep Course, you’ll get:

• Step-by-step gradual sleep teaching plans

• Troubleshooting tips for night wakes + early mornings

• Support with nap transitions and regressions

• Guidance on separation anxiety and night weaning

You don’t need to figure this out alone—this course is your roadmap to more restful nights and smoother days.

You’ve Got This Ok!!!

There’s so much growth between 5–7 months, and it’s completely normal to have bumps along the way. Whether you're adjusting to a new nap schedule or managing rolling wake-ups, know that this stage won’t last forever. Stay flexible, trust your gut, and lean on support when you need it.

💛 Your Baby Sleep Hub: Guides, Courses + More