4 Ways to a Better Sleeping Baby - Guide
Posted by Active Baby Canadian Online Baby Store on 2025 Mar 27th
One of the biggest challenges for new parents is getting their baby to sleep. Sleep is vital for a baby’s physical and brain development and poor sleep can lead to fussiness, feeding difficulties, and parental exhaustion. Establishing good sleep habits early on can create a sleep routine that benefits the baby and the whole family.
This guide provides evidence based tips on how to improve your baby’s sleep, from understanding sleep patterns to creating a sleep friendly environment and healthy sleep habits. Once you understand the biology and brain development stages this can make it easier to understand the reaction that you are seeing and hearing.
1. Baby Sleep Patterns
Sleep Patterns Newborns (0-3 Months)
Newborn babies sleep a lot - 14 to 17 hours a day in short cycles of 2-4 hours. A newborn baby sleep are irregular as their circadian rhythms are still developing. Understand brain and body development details can help relieve infant sleep problems. At the newborn baby stage:
- Babies wake up frequently for feeding (especially breastfed babies).
- Sleep is divided into active (light) and quiet (deep) sleep phases.
- Day and night confusion is common.
Sleep Patterns For Infants (4-6 Months)
At 4 months a baby’s sleep periods start to consolidate with longer night stretches and more defined naps. Sleep cycles last about 50-60 minutes.
- Babies sleep 12-16 hours a day including naps.
- Many babies start sleeping longer at night.
- Sleep regressions can occur as babies grow and become more aware of their surroundings.
6-12 Month Old Baby Sleep Pattern
At this stage babies sleep 12-15 hours a day with more consistent nap schedules.
- Many babies sleep through the night (6-8 hours) but may still wake occasionally.
- Separation anxiety and teething can cause temporary sleep disturbances.
- A consistent bedtime routine becomes more important.
2. Optimal Sleep Environment
1. Room Temperature
Baby’s room should be at a comfortable temperature (around 68-72°F or 20-22°C) do not over dress the baby to prevent overheating.
2. White Noise
White noise machines or fans can mimic the sounds of the womb and block out background noise. Try a white noise machine such as a the Baby Shusher or Yogasleep Sound Machines
3. Dark Room
Blackout curtains can help reduce light exposure which signals the baby that it’s time for sleep.
4. Comfortable and Safe Sleep Environment
- Babies should sleep on a firm mattress in a crib or bassinet.
- Avoid soft bedding like large comforters, pillows, and stuffed animals in the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS. This stands for sudden infant death syndrome. When babies are not old enough to lift up their head with their own strength, be mindful of this point.
- Always place babies on their backs to sleep to help prevent sleep related infant deaths
5. Full Tummies
Babies tend to fall asleep and sleep longer when they have been fed and have a full tummy of milk or food (depending on the babies age). Babies spend majority of their time sleeping to help them grow and learn daily.
For centuries, parents have been using swaddle blankets to gently hold waving arms and legs when a baby sleeps. Swaddle Blankets can help replicate the womb feeling to a baby to help them feel secure and content during their sleep cycle.
3. Healthy Sleep Habits
1. Consistent Bedtime Routine
A predictable routine tells the baby it’s time to sleep. This can include:
- A warm bath
- A gentle massage
- Reading a short book
- Soft lullabies
- Dimming the lights
- Same room to sleep
- Full tummy from their last meal
2. Day-Night Awareness
- Keep daytime naps in a quiet environment when possible for longer sleeps.
- Keep nighttime interactions quiet and soothing to reinforce night sleep.
- The baby can fall asleep and build strong sleep patterns is you lay the baby down on its back while it drowsy to drift off to sleep.
3. Put the Baby Down Drowsy but Awake
Allowing babies to fall asleep on their own helps them learn self-soothing skills, reducing the need for rocking or feeding to sleep.
4. Manage Night Wakings
- If the baby wakes up wait a few moments before responding to see if they settle back down.
- Keep night feedings calm and quiet.
- Avoid stimulating activities during night wakings.
4. Common Sleep Challenges With Sleep Cycles
1. Sleep Regressions
Sleep regressions occur around 4, 6, 9, and 12 months due to biological and brain developmental milestones. To manage them:
- Stick to routines as much as possible.
- Offer extra comfort but avoid creating new sleep dependencies.
2. Teething Disruptions
- Use a teething toy or chilled washcloth to soothe discomfort.
- Offer extra cuddles but maintain sleep routines to help baby fall asleep comforted
- Amber necklaces are common to reduce the teething symptoms. Speak to your doctor or midwife about this option to reduce the choking hazard.
3. Separation Anxiety
- Practice short separations during the day to build confidence.
- Offer a consistent bedtime routine with a consistent caregiver.
Helping babies sleep better is a combination of understanding their developmental needs, creating an optimal sleep environment, and establishing consistent routines.
Every baby is different but with patience and persistence healthy sleep habits can be achieved for better sleep for babies and parents. Hopefully, this guide give you ideas to help your baby to stay asleep for consistent periods of time.
Every baby is different but with patience and persistence healthy sleep habits can be achieved for better sleep for babies and parents. Hopefully, this guide give you ideas to help your baby to stay asleep for consistent periods of time.
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