Your baby's sleep
Get answers to the most common
questions parents have about their baby's sleep.
When should my baby start sleeping through the night?
Most newborns need about 16
hours of sleep, but sleep time varies from baby to baby. For some, the days and
nights go in reverse, they sleep more during the day and less at night.
Between the ages of 3 and 6
months, many babies start sleeping at night. Your baby will not sleep for 10-12
hours straight, but after a nightly feed, you will be able to sleep longer
without a break.
Don't worry if your baby is 4
months old and still hasn't slept that long. You can help them by letting them
sleep at night, not waking them up to eat, and keeping them dark and quiet.
Keep things exciting and fun throughout the day.
How can I get my baby to start sleeping through the night?
Keep it dark and quiet, and
have a ritual of quiet periods each night—perhaps taking a bath, reading a
book, or brushing your gums or teeth. Calm them down and take a nap before
putting them to bed. Be consistent: write them the same way every time.
Remember to put them on your back for extra security.
The goal is to get your sleepy
baby to bed. If he falls asleep too early, start the soothing and quiet
treatment earlier. Try offering a pacifier. They are known to help prevent
sudden infant death syndrome, although it is not clear why.
When your child wakes up at
night, wait a few minutes before checking to see if he can fall back asleep on
his own. If they continue to cry, watch them, but don't grab them or turn on
the lights just yet. If your baby continues to fuss and cry, he may be hungry
or need a diaper change.
How much nap time does my baby need?
When children are born, it is
eating, sleeping, eating, sleeping, so you don't consider all this sleep as
slumber.
Between the ages of 1 and 6
months, babies typically get used to sleeping 3 times a day, with each nap
lasting 1 to 2 hours.
After your baby's first
birthday, he will probably take one nap a day.
Around age 5, most children
stop needing naps.
Should I let my baby cry themselves to sleep?
It depends on the baby and his
age. Cry sleep training methods, including the Ferber method, are the most
researched and work for many children, but not all.
Talk to your pediatrician to
see if this is right for your baby. Some babies get tired and fall asleep after
crying, while others get even angrier.
Could my baby be waking up during the night because they are hungry?
After about 4 months, you will
find that your baby probably doesn't need to eat that much at night. If they
wake up, cry and fall asleep as soon as they get your breast or bottle, you
will know they are not hungry.
If they wake up, cry and eat
greedily, they still need to be fed at night.
Some kids just need to wake up
and eat and then go back to sleep. Instead of refusing food and having tears,
it is better to feed them.
Is it safe to take my child to bed with me?
No. Pediatricians do not
recommend it because it increases the risk of choking, sudden infant death
syndrome, and falling out of bed.
If you breastfeed frequently
and want your baby close to you, consider placing a bassinet, bassinet, or
bassinet nearby.
If you think you might fall
asleep while breastfeeding, make sure you are in bed and there are no soft
objects around, not on a chair or couch. When you wake up, be sure to place
your baby on their own sleeping surface.
Is there anything I need to do to keep my baby safe while sleeping?
Yes. To reduce the risk of
your child choking, choking, or suffering from sudden infant death syndrome:
- Lay your baby on their back to sleep.
- Place them to sleep on a firm crib mattress with a tight-fitting sheet.
- Remove pillows, blankets, toys, and crib bumpers from the bed.
- Don’t smoke around them.
- Breastfeed them as long as you can.
- Offer them a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
- Remove them from their stroller, swing, car seat or infant swing after they fall asleep.
- Do not rely on products which claim to prevent sudden infant death syndrome, specifically monitors, wedges and positioners.
Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he is awake. This means that they must play lying face down. Spending time on your tummy helps your child develop a strong head and neck so they can lift their face when covered. Also be sure to give them the recommended vaccinations.