Most parents of newborns desperately seek ways to get their baby to sleep easily and steadily, if only to get some sleep themselves. Newborns sleep about 16 hours a day, but unfortunately it's broken up into one to two-hour blocks, explains MayoClinic.com. At three months old, five hour stretches of sleep are normal, and at six months infants may sleep for nine to 12 hours overnight. There are ways to help an infant fall asleep and stay asleep as long as possible.
The Right Location
With some trial and error, it will become evident where an infant sleeps best. It may be in a crib, bassinet or in bed with the parents. Even the room in which the crib is located makes a difference, says pediatrician William Sears, M.D. Determine where a newborn most readily falls and stays asleep, and use this location consistently for as long as it works.
Stimulation
Keeping a newborn active and stimulated through the day promotes better sleep at night, according to MayoClinic.com. Pay attention to the infant, provide toys, sing, and otherwise keep the child engaged. Conversely, reduce stimulation in the time leading up to bed, notes the Nemours Foundation. Keep lights dim, keep noise to a minimum, and avoid playing with the child.
Routine
Infants are taught to wind down and fall asleep with consistent use of bedtime routines and associations. Stick to a schedule as well as possible, and establish calming rituals such as rocking, bathing, feeding, singing or reading, suggests Dr. Sears.
Daytime Sleep
Some parents try to keep their infant awake as much as possible during the day in the hopes of a more steady night's sleep. Along with being unhealthy for a newborn, this tactic often backfires, as over-tired infants become fussy and have more difficulty falling asleep, points out the Nemours Foundation. Let an infant sleep during the day. However, monitor the time spent sleeping, cautions MayoClinic.com, as too much sleep during the daytime can leave an infant wide awake at bedtime.
Pacifiers
Pacifiers soothe babies and usually help lull them to sleep. They may also reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, according to MayoClinic.com. However, while this may help an infant fall asleep, it may prompt more awakening and crying during the night when the pacifier falls out of the child's mouth.
Snuggle
Lying down right next to an infant creates a sense of security and can help promote easy, deeper sleep. Dr. Sears suggests snuggling as an effective option when standard rituals such as rocking and nursing aren't working.
Swaddle
Swaddling is important for an infant to sleep well. Newborns generally prefer to sleep tightly wrapped in a blanket, but as they get older, they grow to prefer a looser swaddling. Experiment with swaddling variations until you find one that works best, suggests Dr. Sears.
Proper Atmosphere
Creating the right conditions for sleep is important. The room in which an infant sleeps should be dark, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with about 50 percent humidity and free of atmospheric irritants such as smoke, plants or pet dander. Bedding should be warm and soft, according to Dr. Sears.
