Infants cause many sleepless nights, especially for their parents. Newborns often have erratic sleep patterns, including getting their days and nights reversed. However, most parents reasonably expect their babies to sleep through the night by the age of 4 months. According to Dr. Warren Silberstein, most children are physically capable of sleeping through the night by then. If an infant over 4 months old continues to wake through the night, it often is a matter of habit. Fortunately, you can help your baby change that habit.
Step 1
Establish a good bedtime routine. According to a 2009 study by Jodi Mindell, PhD, at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, consistent bedtime routines improve the quality of sleep for infants and toddlers. Bedtime routines lead to fewer and shorter night wakings. Including a bath as part of the bedtime routine lowers the core body temperature and also can lead to fewer night wakings. Put your baby to sleep while she is still awake, but sleepy and calm.
Step 2
Ensure that the bedroom is a comfortable sleeping environment. Dr. William Sears recommends keeping bedrooms dark and moderately quiet. However, your baby can block out a lot of noise while sleeping, and you don't want to condition him to need total silence to sleep, since that is difficult to maintain. Make sure the baby is dressed comfortably, but not in so many layers that it raises his body temperature.
Step 3
React calmly and quickly to night wakings. The goal is to help your baby learn how to resettle herself. Don't make it exciting or interesting when she wakes during the night. Do not take her out of the crib unless she is sick or needs a diaper change. Make the encounters as brief as possible.
Step 4
Try the "cry it out" method popularized by Dr. Richard Ferber. The Ferber method is a progressive process of controlled crying. If your baby cries, wait five minutes before going in to comfort him the first night. Do not pick him up; gently pat him on the back instead. The next night, increase the interval to 10 minutes before going in to him. Repeat the process, adding five minutes a night, until he learns to settle himself without crying.
Step 5
Sleep next to your baby. Some people, especially nursing mothers, are uncomfortable with the Ferber method and prefer not to let their babies cry. If you are nursing, you and baby are both less likely to wake up fully if you share the same bed. For safety reasons, do not sleep in the same bed if you are obese or under the influence of cold medication, alcohol or drugs.
Tips and Warnings
- Swaddle your baby. Dress your baby in loose, comfortable clothing during the day, then wrap her snugly in a blanket before sleep. Leave behind something that smells like mom, such as a piece of clothing you have worn.
- If you think that medical conditions could be contributing to your child's night waking, talk to your doctor. Allergies, acid reflux, colic and prematurity are among the conditions that can lead to frequent night waking.
