Understanding 5-month-old sleep cycles

At 5 months, sleep patterns often shift due to developmental milestones and growth spurts. While online 'cheat sheets' can provide a helpful baseline for total sleep hours and wake windows, remember that every child is unique; many babies sleep slightly less than the recommended averages. Rather than focusing solely on sleep regressions, look for signs of new skills being learned or growth spurts, as these are often the primary drivers behind temporary sleep disruptions.