Babies should be able to sleep through the night by the time they're 6 months old, according to the Mayo Clinic. But many do not. Your baby may wake because he needs a diaper change, is hungry or just wants some interaction with mommy and daddy. Making adjustments to your routines and habits may help you get that 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night.
Routine
Prepare your baby for sleep with a consistent nighttime routine. A warm bath, feeding, cuddling and a bedtime story is a good one. Experts with the University of Michigan Health System suggest putting your baby in her crib when she's drowsy, so she'll learn how to fall asleep on her own without being rocked, cuddled or fed.
Self Comfort
Give your baby the tools to get back to sleep on his own in the middle of the night so he won't need to wake you for comfort. The University of Illinois Extension suggests providing a pacifier or blanket or allowing a habit such as thumb sucking so your baby can soothe himself back to sleep. Babies also may find "white noise" from a fan or vaporizer a relaxing alternative to silence if they wake in the middle of the night, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Feeding
Reduce the need for your baby to wake by feeding her just before bedtime so she won't wake up hungry in the night. Although you may be tempted to feed your baby solid foods to fill her up, if she's younger than 6 months, the University of Michigan Health System cautions against it. Offering solids before your child is ready may even lead her to wake up because she's having trouble digesting the food.
Nighttime
If your baby wakes during the night, the University of Alabama Parenting Assistance Line recommends waiting to see if he'll fall back asleep on his own. Rushing to pick your baby up and rocking him back to sleep may affirm the idea that he needs your comfort to fall asleep. The university also suggests helping your baby get back to sleep quickly without talking or playing with him, which may lead him to wake up more because he enjoys the time with you. Instead, feed or change him if necessary and rub his back gently as he falls back asleep rather than carrying or rocking him.
