Newborn babies can sleep 16 hours a day or even more, according to Kids Health, but they usually sleep only for 3 to 4 hours at a time. Helping your baby establish healthy sleeping patterns will make sure he gets the rest he needs to grow and develop. Babies vary widely when it comes to how, when and how often they sleep. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns about his sleeping patterns.
Step 1
Keep a notebook detailing the hours your baby is asleep to help you identify her sleeping patterns and learn where you need to make adjustments. Mark down the times you lay your baby down to sleep and when she wakes up. Include times when you lay her down or try to get her to sleep and she does not fall asleep or does not stay asleep long.
Step 2
Pay attention to your baby to learn the signs of sleepiness. Many infants rub their eyes, pull on their ears or get fussy for no apparent reason when they’re ready for a nap, explains BabyCenter.
Step 3
Interact with your baby, and keep rooms bright during the day. Don’t play with him when he wakes up at night, and keep lights dim to help him learn the difference between day and night at an early age, recommends BabyCenter.
Step 4
Start a bedtime routine by the time your baby is about 6 weeks old, recommends BabyCenter. At the same time each night, wash your baby, feed her and lay her down to sleep at the same time.
Step 5
Consult your pediatrician to help you decide on a sleep-training method that works for you and your family. Some experts, such as pediatrician Richard Ferber, advocate letting your baby learn to put himself to sleep and allowing him to “cry it out” so he learns to soothe himself.
Others, such as pediatrician William Sears, favor a more gradual approach by allowing the parent to comfort her crying baby right away and slowly moving to allowing the child to fall asleep on her own.
Step 6
Set up a baby monitor in your child’s room so you can avoid going back to check on her too often. A monitor will help you know if your baby needs you without having to disturb her sleep. A white-noise machine, a humidifier or a fan blowing away from your baby can provide a soothing environment that can help her get to sleep and stay asleep.
Tips and Warnings
- Put your baby down for a nap at regular intervals. Trying to wear your baby out so he will sleep better may be counterproductive, since overly tired infants often have more difficulty getting to sleep, explains KidsHealth.
- Never lay your baby on his stomach to sleep unless directed to do so by his pediatrician. Do not put pillows, stuffed animals or any other items in your baby’s crib that could obstruct his breathing.
Things You'll Need
- Notebook
- Pencil
- Baby monitor
- White-noise machine or fan
