Sleep is an essential part of human life. During infancy, a child will sleep many hours because of her body's constant growth and development. Though each baby's sleep patterns and habits are different, her sleep patterns should fall within a range average that other children in her age group follow. As a parent, you can influence your child's sleep behavior by being consistent, and providing a clean, safe and comfortable environment in which your baby can rest.
Newborn Infants
Your newborn baby -- 0 to 3 months -- should sleep approximately 16 hours every day, broken up into 3- to 4-hour sleep segments. His sleep cycle will include a period of light sleep that might stir him into consciousness if stimulated by a sound or hunger, and a period of deep sleep, Because his stomach is so small, he will not be able to hold significant portions of food and will naturally get hungry often. A breastfed baby should eat every 2 hours, and a formula-fed baby should eat every 3 to 4 hours. It is common at this age that the baby will not sleep through the night, but by 2-months-old, your baby should be able to sleep in 6- to 8-hour segments, most likely sleeping through the night.
Infants 4 to 7 Months
Between 4 and 7 months, the amount of time your baby sleeps may vary from as little as 9 hours to nearly 18 hours a day. As her stomach grows, her demands for feeding will be less frequent. She will only take two naps during the day, ranging from 1 hour to 2.5 hours in length, and she will be more likely to sleep through the night, resting for 11 to 12 hours. You can slowly begin to implement a bedtime routine with your child, performing tasks like taking a bath, putting pajamas on, singing songs and reading books. KidsHealth.org suggests that at this age, you should let your baby fall asleep on her own, putting her in her crib before she is fully rocked to sleep -- letting her learn to fully comfort herself to sleep.
Infants 8 Months to 1 Year
Slumbersounds.com explains that sleep concerns are common at 8 to 9 months. At this point, he should be comfortable sleeping in his own crib. He will most likely take an hour-long nap both in the morning and in the afternoon, and sleep at night for 11 hours. Naps are an important part of your child's health and development, so if he begins resisting naps, be consistent and persistent about naptime. You should also continue to implement a comfortable bedtime routine that helps your child recognize that it is time to go to bed, and transition smoothly for quiet sleep hours.
How to Encourage Good Sleep Habits
If your baby is not sleeping through the night, do not force her to stay awake during the day. KidsHealth.org notes that "overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping than those who've had an appropriate amount of sleep during the day." Your baby is accustomed to and familiar with constant white noise due to her time spent in the womb. If your young infant has a hard time falling asleep or is a light sleeper, you might try running water from a faucet, as this simulates a familiar, soothing sound your baby constantly heard before birth.
Additional Tips
Your baby may startle himself awake during the night and begin to cry. Do not console him by picking him up and rocking him back to sleep, as this can create a bad pattern for your child. Instead, soothingly comfort him by speaking softly to him and make necessary adjustments in his clothing or bedding. He may struggle for a few minutes, but she will eventually fall back to sleep. If he continues to cry, he may be in pain from teething, ill or have a soiled diaper, and may need special attention.
