Newborns do not know the difference between night and day and their little stomachs do not hold much breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for a long period of time. As your baby gets a little older steps can be taken to make sure he gets a good night's sleep and sleeps through the night. Making sure babies have a routine, are getting enough sleep and are sleeping in the right conditions help babies sleep better.
Step 1
Create a nightly routine to help your baby sleep better. How we sleep is based largely on habit and what our bodies use as signals that it is time to go to sleep, according to KidsHealth.org. Give your baby a warm bath, rub lotion and dress your baby for bed to signal to your baby that it is time to settle down and relax for bedtime. Feed, cuddle and read a story before putting your baby down in his crib to help establish a routine. Put your baby to bed at the same time in his crib to create a sense of security so that he realizes it is time for bed.
Step 2
Give your baby naps during the day. Also, do not keep your child awake for long periods without a nap in the hopes that he will sleep through the night. This only makes it harder for children to sleep because they are overtired. According to KidsHealth.org, babies up to six months old need 16 to 20 hours of sleep per day, divided out equally between the day and night. Six- to 12-month-olds need at least 14 hours of sleep per day, sleeping 11 hours at night with a three hour nap during the day.
Step 3
Make the baby's room dark, and keep it quiet and warm, according to Pediatricservices.com. This promotes better sleep for children as they are not kept awake by stimulating light or noise. Put blackout window coverings in your child's room to prevent light from coming in during the day or early morning. Make sure his room is warm, but not overly hot so that it is comfortable for your child to sleep. If it is too cold, your child may be awakened. Dress the baby in warm pajamas with socks and avoid overdressing him, causing him to overheat and become uncomfortable. Comfort is important in helping babies sleep better and more soundly.
Tips and Warnings
- If your baby is under two months old, remember that they are not old enough to tell the difference from day or night. Follow the same routine every day when it comes to naps and nighttime sleeping. Try not to do stimulating activities right before bedtime. Keep crib free of toys which only stimulate babies, keeping them awake.
Things You'll Need
- Lotion
- Bedtime story
- Blackout blinds
