Schedule for 5 Month Old

Tell her to read the Weisbluth book!

Babies that young should have at least 2 naps a day. Other than that, she should let the baby dictate it's own schedule. Babies really can't be scheduled... she'll have an easier time not even trying. A morning nap and an afternoon nap is all she should try for. :)

At 5 months, typically a child takes 2 naps (a small percentage take 3) and should be able to sleep through the night, provided they have the self-soothing skills necessary to do so upon waking.

Your SIL might wish to check out "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Mark Weissbluth. I began using the techniques at 6 months and it resulted in a happier, better-rested, baby. In a nutshell (being flexible to the baby's needs, of course) his schedule went like this:

6:00-7:00 wake time
9:00-10:30 am nap
1:00/1:30-3:30/4:00 pm nap
6:30 bed time

It literally took three days for our son to get on this schedule. Before, he would sleep whenever and wherever and was an absolutely unbearable cranky-pants. After - his disposition was much better and he was such a joy.

My 5 month old's schedule went like this:
Wake up 7 a.m. and breakfast around 7:30.
First nap between 10 and 10:30, and wake up around 11:30.
Lunch at noon.
2nd nap between 3 and 3:30, wake up around 4:30.
Dinner at 5:00.
Bedtime routine started at 7, ending with putting baby down at 7:30, (baby has 4th liquid feeding before going down)

My son took 2 naps for about an hour each, sleeping 11 hours at night and was getting 3 square meals a day with a 4th liquid feeding at bedtime. Stabilizing the eating schedule helps with the sleeping schedule. Good luck to your sis in law!

The best thing to do is the EASY schedule at that age. The naps should be 2 hours twice or three times a day at that age. Overnight should be 10 to 12 hours, maybe waking once to eat, but by 5 mos they really don't need that middle of the night feeding.

I highly suggest reading the Baby Whisperer in regards to the EASY schedule and the dream feed. For a child to nap well and sleep all night I recommend the Happiest Baby on the Block 5 S's method.