Although it is possible for infants as young as 6 weeks old to sleep through the night, most babies do not accomplish this task until about 6 months old. And babies that are breastfed may find it more difficult to achieve long stretches of sleep. Even though it may be more challenging, it is still possible to teach your breastfed baby how to sleep through the night.
Step 1
Establish where your baby sleeps the best. A baby may prefer to be in his own crib or snuggled up to a parent in bed. A mother that nurses may find sharing a room or bed most convenient for impromptu feedings.
Step 2
Look for signs that your baby is tired. When she begins to rub her eyes or act cranky, put her down to sleep immediately. Waiting too long after these ques may cause baby to become overtired and have difficulty falling sleeping.
Step 3
Be consistent with the time that baby goes to bed and any rituals that lead up to bedtime. A baby's brain is programmed to store patterns and sequences. A routine can help him fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Step 4
Consider nursing baby to sleep. Some infants need the extra transitional step to fall soundly asleep.
Step 5
Wake baby for a nighttime feeding right before you retire for the night. This may help him sleep for a longer stretch.
Step 6
Comfort baby if she awakens in the middle of the night. Although it is ok to allow baby a chance to self soothe, high need babies may require a feeding or lullaby.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't be alarmed if your baby seems to take longer than normal to learn how to sleep through the night. The CBS News website explains that breastfed babies may take a bit longer than formula fed babies. This is because breast milk digests more quickly than formula, causing baby to wake more often out of hunger. If baby awakes at night, the Babycenter website suggests keeping actions low-key. Dim the lights and minimize any noise, including talking to baby. This will help her comprehend that bedtime means sleep time.
- Don't allow yourself to get overtired and burned out. Ask your partner for help with nighttime feedings or soothings--giving baby a bottle with pumped breast milk. Askdrsears.com says baby may be waking frequently in the night due to medical issues such as allergens or teething pain. Keep your baby's room dust free and consider installing a HEPA filter to remove airborne allergens. Talk to your doctor about giving your baby acetaminophen for teething pain.
Things You'll Need
- Crib
