Newborn babies have erratic schedules, and they do not know the difference between night and day. As your baby grows, however, you will begin looking forward to the day when she begins to sleep through the night. For young babies, "through the night" may only mean five hours of sleep at a time. By the time your baby is about 6 months old, though, she may be able to sleep through the entire night. Remember that all babies are different, and some are not ready to reach this milestone until they are older.
Step 1
Stick to a set nighttime routine. Going through the same routine every night will help your baby to learn that his evenings have a predictable order, and that the schedule ends with him going to sleep.
Step 2
Top off your baby's tank. Give her one last feeding before bedtime, even if she only ate an hour ago. The extra calories may help her to sleep a bit longer. If her doctor recommends it, a tablespoon or so of baby cereal can also extend the time between feedings. Note that, in most cases, babies under 6 months of age should not be given solid food.
Step 3
Be sure that your baby is dressed comfortably. Small babies often enjoy being swaddled or wrapped snugly in a receiving blanket. Older babies often want their hands and arms free. Make sure that your baby's diaper is clean and dry, and that his room is set at a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Step 4
Keep all nighttime care quiet and low-key. If your baby does wake up at night, feed and change her without talking and without fanfare. Don't turn on the lights or the television. Give your baby every reason to believe that nighttime is for sleeping, and not for playing or extended snuggling.
Step 5
Run a white noise machine in your baby's room, recommends pediatrician Dr. Sears. This may help to prevent him from waking. It can also mask outside noise, such as a dog barking or the toilet flushing, which may otherwise startle him awake. If you do not have a white noise machine, consider running a fan in a corner of the room, but not blowing directly on your baby.
Step 6
See your baby's doctor if night-waking persists. Many times, babies are simply not ready to sleep through the night on their weary parents' schedules. Occasionally, though, babies have a condition such as reflux that wakes them up at night. A medical examination can confirm or rule out a problem, and it can set your mind at ease while you wait for your baby to reach the milestone of sleeping through the night.
Tips and Warnings
- The Mayo Clinic suggests putting your baby to bed with a pacifier to help him stay asleep. If the pacifier falls out of his mouth, however, this can prompt him to wake up crying.
Things You'll Need
- Receiving blankets
- White noise machine
- Pacifier (optional)
