When do babies start to sleep more at night
Baby sleep: what to expect at 2-12 months
Baby sleep needs
Babies need sleep to grow and develop well. But babies’ sleep needs vary, just as the sleep needs of older children and adults do. Your baby might be doing well with more or less sleep than other babies the same age.
Your baby’s mood and wellbeing is often a good guide to whether your baby is getting enough sleep. If your baby is:
- wakeful and grizzly, they might need more sleep
- wakeful and contented, they’re probably getting enough sleep.
How baby sleep changes from 2 to 12 months
As they get older, babies:
- sleep less in the daytime
- are awake for longer between naps
- have longer night-time sleeps and wake less at night
- need less sleep overall.
2-3 months: what to expect from baby sleep
At this age, babies sleep on and off during the day and night. Most babies sleep for 14-17 hours in every 24 hours.
Young babies sleep in cycles that last 50-60 minutes. In young babies, each cycle is made up of active sleep and quiet sleep. Babies move around and grunt during active sleep, and sleep deeply during quiet sleep.
At the end of each cycle, babies wake up for a little while. They might grizzle or cry. They might need help to settle for the next sleep cycle.
At 2-3 months, babies start developing night and day sleep patterns. This means they tend to start sleeping more during the night.
Around 3 months: what to expect from baby sleep
Babies keep developing night and day sleep patterns.
Their sleep cycles consist of:
- light sleep, when baby wakes easily
- deep sleep, when baby is sound asleep and very still
- dream sleep, when baby is dreaming.
Sleep cycles also get longer, which might mean less waking and resettling during sleep. At this age, some babies might regularly be having longer sleeps at night – for example, 4-5 hours.
Most babies still sleep for 14-17 hours in every 24 hours.
3-6 months: what to expect from baby sleep
At this age, most babies sleep for 12-15 hours every 24 hours.
Babies might start moving towards a pattern of 2-3 daytime sleeps of up to two hours each.
And night-time sleeps get longer at this age. For example, some babies might be having long sleeps of six hours at night by the time they’re six months old.
But you can expect that your baby will still wake at least once each night.
6-12 months: what to expect from baby sleep
Babies sleep less as they get older. By the time your baby is one year old, baby will probably sleep for 11-14 hours every 24 hours.
Sleep during the night
From about six months, most babies have their longest sleeps at night.
Most babies are ready for bed between 6 pm and 10 pm. They usually take less than 40 minutes to get to sleep, but some babies take longer.
At this age, baby sleep cycles are closer to those of grown-up sleep – which means less waking at night. So your baby might not wake you during the night, or waking might happen less often.
But many babies do wake during the night and need an adult to settle them back to sleep. Some babies do this 3-4 times a night.
Sleep during the day
At this age, most babies are still having 2-3 daytime naps that last for between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
6-12 months: other developments that affect sleep
From around six months, babies develop many new abilities that can affect their sleep or make them more difficult to settle:
- Babies learn to keep themselves awake, especially if something interesting is happening, or they’re in a place with a lot of light and noise.
- Settling difficulties can happen at the same time as crawling. You might notice your baby’s sleep habits changing when baby starts moving around more.
- Babies learn that things exist, even when they’re out of sight. Now that your baby knows you exist when you leave the bedroom, baby might call or cry out for you.
- Separation anxiety is when babies get upset because you’re not around. It might mean your baby doesn’t want to go to sleep and wakes up more often in the night. As babies mature they gradually overcome this worry.
6-12 months: night-time feeding
From around six months of age, if your baby is developing well, it’s OK to think about night weaning and phasing out night feeds. But if you’re comfortable with feeding your baby during the night, there’s no hurry to phase out night feeds.
You can choose what works best for you and your baby.
A rollover feed is a late feed somewhere between 10 pm and midnight. Some parents find that rollover feeds help babies sleep longer towards morning. If this works for you and your baby, it’s fine to give baby a rollover feed.
Concerns about baby sleep
If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep, it can be a good idea to track your baby’s sleep for a week or so. This can help you get a clear picture of what’s going on.
You can do this by drawing up a simple chart with columns for each day of the week. Divide the days into hourly blocks, and colour the intervals when your baby is asleep. Keep your chart for 5-7 days.
Once completed, the chart will tell you things like:
- when and how much sleep your baby is getting
- how many times your baby is waking during the night
- how long your baby is taking to settle after waking.
You can also record how you tried to resettle your baby and what worked or didn’t work.
Then you can compare the information in your chart with the general information about baby sleep needs above:
- How does your child compare to other babies the same age? If your baby is wakeful and grizzly and getting much less sleep than others, your baby might need more opportunities for sleep.
- How many times is your baby over six months old waking up during the night? If it’s 3-4 times a night or more, you might be feeling very tired. You might want to think about phasing out some of your baby’s sleep habits.
If you decide you need to see a professional for help with your baby’s sleep, take your chart with you.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep, it’s a very good idea to see a child health professional for help. You could start by talking with your GP or child and family health nurse.
How baby sleep patterns affect grown-ups
Babies and grown-ups need sleep for wellbeing, but babies sleep differently from adults. Most parents of babies under six months of age get up in the night to feed and settle their babies. For many, this keeps going after six months.
Some parents are OK with getting up a lot at night as long as they have enough support and they can catch up on sleep at other times. For others, getting up in the night over the long term has a serious effect on them and their family lives.
The quality of your sleep can affect your health and your mood. Being exhausted can make it hard to give your baby positive attention during the day. And your relationship with your baby and the time and attention you give baby during the day can affect the quality and quantity of baby’s sleep.
So it’s important that you get some help if you’re not getting enough sleep. You could start by asking family or friends for help. And if you feel that lack of sleep is affecting you mentally or emotionally, it’s a very good idea to talk with your GP or another health professional.
There’s a strong link between baby sleep difficulties and symptoms of postnatal depression in women and postnatal depression in men. But the link isn’t there if parents of babies with sleep difficulties are getting enough sleep themselves.
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Sleep and Your 1- to 3-Month-Old (for Parents)
Just when you think that getting more shut-eye is a far-off dream, your baby will begin to sleep longer stretches at night. Baby's sleep cycle is getting closer to yours, and your little one may be feeding less often at night.
But don't assume you'll be hitting the snooze button just yet. At this stage, "sleeping through the night" is considered to be a stretch of only 5 or 6 hours.
How Long Will My Baby Sleep?
Because babies this age are more awake, alert, and aware of their surroundings during daylight hours, they're more likely to be tired at night and sleep. But the range of normal is still very wide.
Infants up to 3 months old should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, says the National Sleep Foundation. Many will have settled into a daily sleep routine of 2-3 naps during the day, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding.
How Should Babies Sleep?
The American of Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. This is when the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is highest.
Room-sharing is when you place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom instead of in a separate room. This keeps baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring baby at night.
While room-sharing is safe, putting your baby to sleep in bed with you is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Follow these recommendations for a safe sleep environment for your little one:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on the stomach or side. The rate of SIDS has gone way down since the AAP began recommending this in 1992.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface. Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- To avoid overheating, dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle. Don't cover your baby's head while they're sleeping. Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
- Keep your baby away from smokers. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don’t force it. If the pacifier falls out during sleep, you don’t have to replace it. If you're breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is firmly established.
- Watch out for other hazards, such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around a baby's neck, and objects with any kind of sharp edge or corner. Look around for things that your baby can touch from a seated or standing position in the crib. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords could be harmful if they are within a baby's reach.
- Don’t let your baby fall asleep on a product that isn’t specifically designed for sleeping babies, such as a sitting device (like a car seat), a feeding pillow (like the Boppy pillow), or an infant lounger (like the Dock-a-Tot, Podster, and Bummzie).
- Don’t use products or devices that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners (like wedges or incliners) or monitors that can detect a baby’s heart rate and breathing pattern. No known products can actually do this.
- Don’t use weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles on or around your baby.
- Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use to help your baby sleep have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
Helping Your Baby Sleep
If you haven't already, start a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal an end to the day. Some babies like to be swaddled (wrapped in a light blanket). This is OK until they start to roll (typically, when they're 3 to 4 months old). Be consistent and your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.
If you rock your baby to sleep before bedtime, your little one may expect to be rocked to sleep after nighttime awakenings. Instead, try putting your baby into a crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake. This way your baby will learn to fall asleep on their own.
Some babies squirm, whine, and even cry a little before falling back to sleep on their own. Unless you think that your baby is hungry or ill, see what happens if you leave your baby alone for a few minutes — they might settle down.
If your baby wakes during the period that you want them to sleep, keep activity to a minimum. Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby. Change or feed your baby and then return your little one to the crib or bassinet.
If your baby is waking early for a morning feeding, some small changes may allow a slight shift in schedule. You might try waking your baby for the late-night feeding at a time that suits your sleep schedule:
- For instance, if your baby sleeps after a 7 p.m. feeding and wakes up at 2 a.m. to eat, try waking the baby to feed at 11 p.m. Then, put your little one down to sleep until an early-morning feeding at 5 a. m. or 6 a.m.
It may take a few nights to establish this routine, but being consistent will improve your chances of success.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Some infants at this age will start sleeping through the night, but there is a wide range of normal. If you have questions about your baby's sleep, talk with your doctor.
When will my child start sleeping at night without waking up?
Interest in the world beyond the crib
When the baby starts sleeping at night without waking up is a very individual question. By responding to the needs of the child, parents can help promote healthy sleep for the child.
Starting at about 6 months old, children no longer need nighttime feedings, as at this age the rhythm of hunger and satiety in a healthy child stops at daytime. nine0005 Brief awakenings at night are quite normal. Ideally, babies fall asleep quickly and on their own again.
Awakenings can have many causes
Note that waking up or crying at night can have many causes. Along with hunger, thirst, and a wet diaper, there are occasional periods (teething, infections, or an eventful day) when the baby changes his habits: wakes up, babbles, or again asks for a breast or a bottle. Some babies cry when they need attention and care, or when they need to relieve some stress. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees for an uninterrupted night's sleep for your baby. It also happens that the baby, who until now slept well and did not wake up at night, suddenly starts waking up again at night. Basically, it's just a temporary thing. nine0003
A regular daily routine is very important
A regular daily routine is important with regular meals, sleep duration and other activities such as walking. Repetitive rituals such as bathing, feeding, evening fairy tale, lullaby, as well as a calm atomosphere always have a calming effect.
Patience Needed
Don't lose patience if your child doesn't find his sleep rhythm right away. Miracles do not happen! You cannot control your child's sleep. However, you can help your child develop a regular rhythm by ensuring healthy sleep. Do not be discouraged if other children have allegedly been sleeping at night for a long time without waking up. This concept is relative, because, as for infants, we can talk about continuous night sleep even if they sleep from midnight to 5-6 in the morning. Parents of young children, as a rule, should tune in to the fact that in the first 3-4 years of a baby's life, their nights will be restless. nine0003
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How to teach a baby to sleep through the night without waking up: 6 steps0044
psychologist
Sleep problems affect 30% of children to some extent. But according to various surveys conducted in the US, Canada, Australia and European countries, more than 70% of parents would like their children to sleep longer and better at night. It is, as you can see, a large number of people. Indeed, after birth, babies fall into one of two categories. Some children sleep well at night literally from the first days of returning from the hospital, others wake up their parents several times a night for a year or even two. Why is this happening? nine0003
First , all children are different. It is believed that any healthy baby is ready to sleep continuously for 5-6 hours from the age of about 6 weeks and when he reaches a weight of 5 kg. A healthy 6 month old baby can sleep continuously for 11-12 hours a night. In addition, some are groundhogs by nature, while others are too active to spend the lion's share of their free time sleeping (even in the first weeks of life, when, it would seem, there is nothing else to do but sleep).
Secondly , an honorable role is assigned to the organization of children's sleep rules - guess who? We, parents, and we just tend to forget this. And here the question arises: are we doing everything right? Indeed, in addition to the biological predisposition of the baby to a healthy sleep, there are also objective realities of everyday life. And in order for the child to sleep better at night, you need to adhere to certain principles of behavior. nine0003
74% of American mothers with children under the age of one say that the most important thing for them in this life is getting enough sleep. Moreover, 28% are ready to pay any money for a full night's 7-8-hour sleep.
Don't dramatize the situation
Parents' first children usually sleep worse than their younger siblings later on. Lack of experience, increased anxiety of mothers and fathers lead to the fact that the slightest groaning of a child in the middle of the night is perceived as a disaster. And now the light is on, and the whole family is awake. nine0003
What to do? Take it easy. Newborns can wake up several times a night, but at the same time they know how to fall asleep on their own, whimpering a little. In addition, if night awakenings become a cause for serious concern for parents, then the baby involuntarily adapts to the general disturbing background . If the nighttime awakenings of the baby are not the only thing that worries you, then it makes sense to pay more attention to your condition and cope with it. The fact is that babies are very sensitive to the emotional background in the house, so any conflicts or depression in the mother can provoke sleep problems in the child. nine0003
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- Getty Images/Vetta
Deal with colic
Up to 25% of parents experience this really common cause of sleep disturbance in their first months of life. They occur in babies older than 3 weeks and disappear by 3 months. The child tenses, blushes, brings the legs to the stomach and cries piercingly. The cause is considered to be increased gas formation in the intestines and the immaturity of the digestive tract.
What to do? Try different means - something is sure to help. Drink the baby with children's tea with fennel, dill water. Put a warm diaper on your stomach. Massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction or bend the legs at the knees, press them to the stomach and take them back. Lay the baby on your stomach. Install the gas pipe. Give the medicine recommended by the attending pediatrician in these cases. American experts, for example, recommend driving a child in a car - the pain syndrome will be removed and the baby will fall asleep. In general, in the United States, the “rule of number 3” is used to diagnose colic: if the child cries for three hours a day, three times a week and three weeks in a row. If it is less and less common, it is not colic, and the cause must be sought elsewhere. nine0003
Sleep separately if possible
Children who sleep in the same bed or in the same room as their parents wake up more often than those who sleep in a separate nursery . Upon returning from the hospital, many parents try to put the baby next to them at night: indeed, frequent feedings and changing diapers create the impression that you literally cannot leave the baby for a minute, day or night.
What to do? Once your baby has established a feeding schedule (and this happens to all babies between 2 weeks and 3 months of age), one option to ensure proper sleep is to sleep in separate rooms. Frequent awakenings of parents at night are absolutely unjustified - children can fall asleep without assistance, and the mother gets up to the baby anyway at the first call, often without waiting for the crying to begin. If the baby sleeps in another room, then those tossing and groaning that do not deserve her attention, she will not hear. nine0003
Do not combine breastfeeding and going to bed
American sleepologists say that 50% of breastfed babies wake up at least once a night (from 12 am to 6 am). This is especially true for children, who also sleep in the same room with their parents: the baby smells mother's milk even at a distance. Among artificial babies, this percentage is significantly lower - 20. Breast milk is digested faster than an artificial mixture - therefore, a baby who eats mother's milk will wake up from hunger two hours after feeding, an hour and a half earlier than the "artificial one". nine0003
What to do? Of course, it is not worth transferring the child to formula. But you should also not fall into the typical trap for young mothers: “in order for him to calm down and fall asleep, he must be breastfed.” Feed some time before going to bed, away from the crib, change clothes after feeding, and let's hold in the arms of another person, if possible.
Don't rock your arms before going to bed
Babies who are first rocked and then placed in a cradle or crib while sound asleep will wake up sooner than those who are laid awake. nine0003
What to do? Try not to accustom to motion sickness before going to bed, especially on the arms. Small children, as we noted above, are perfectly able to fall asleep on their own - they even sing lullabies to themselves. A baby who has been cradled in her arms and then placed in her crib will feel a change of scenery, either shortly after laying down or during the initial stage of awakening. Subconsciously, he considers it unnatural (it’s more comfortable and pleasant for mom in her arms, who can argue with that?) And wakes up earlier than she could. nine0003
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- Getty Images/Westend61
To get your baby to sleep, you can try to move him in the car, rock him in a cradle with a vibrating bottom, or turn on the vacuum cleaner or washing machine in the apartment.
Teach your baby to fall asleep on his own
Babies who are allowed to fall asleep on their own during the first months of life have much less trouble falling asleep than those who are sat with until they fall asleep and lullabies are sung every night. nine0003
What to do? Toddlers are great at calming themselves - they just don't need to be disturbed. Some suck their thumb, others stare at the ceiling, others sing lullabies to themselves... As soon as you notice that the child is preparing to fall asleep, it is better to move away from the crib, dim the lights, and reduce the noise activity in the apartment.
Sleep Rules
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Learn to recognize the signs that your baby wants to sleep. And put him down as soon as you see them. Better to do it half an hour earlier than usual, than an hour and a half later, which is how long it will take him to want to sleep again. nine0003
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Create a sleep ritual : bath, swaddling, feeding, lullaby, bedtime. It does not matter how long the ritual itself takes, the sequence of actions is important.
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Make nightly sleep a priority for the whole family . Even though you feel like watching a movie or reading a book, go to bed.