How to get baby to sleep: A survival guide

How to get baby to sleep longer stretches at night?

Your baby will naturally wake up several times in the middle of the night, up to six times. We adults often wake up naturally at night and then fall asleep again soon and easily. It is important to pay attention to how your baby falls asleep at bedtime.

What can you read in this article?

• Newborn sleep patterns
• Baby sleep schedule by age
• How to get baby to sleep longer stretches at night

Later on, your baby wakes up frequently in the middle of the night. This can be anything from a surge in growth and tooth growth to memories of a particularly good day.

Simply put, waking up at night is part of living with your baby and you don’t have to worry, but there are many things you can do to shorten it and reduce its frequency.

Newborn sleep patterns

0-6 weeks: Sleep survival

Your newborn baby’s sleep patterns: Looks irregular and unpredictable. This is the true “newborn” stage. Babies spend most of their time taking naps and just wake up to eat.

The challenge: You will feel like you are in a constant eat-snooze-poop cycle. This is usually the most intense stage for parents, as the baby sleeps for hours but only a few hours at a time.

During this time, focus on ensuring that your baby receives all the rest, affection, and care he needs. But don’t forget to do what you need to do to get enough rest for you and your baby.

2-3 months: Sleep learning

Your newborn’s sleep pattern: A true pattern begins to develop. She can probably stay up a little longer during her sleep break, and you can get an idea when she starts to get sleepy. Still, the baby probably hasn’t been up for more than a few hours at a time.

 The challenge: You are exhausted from the constant ups and downs of the first 6 weeks. Especially at night, your baby is ready to snooze longer. But it’s not easy and doesn’t happen overnight.

During the “survival during sleep” stage, you may have introduced long-term, unsustainable habits, such as diet. B. Eat and sleep. Start establishing good sleep habits at this point to lay the foundation for a healthy sleep pattern.

4-6 months: Establishing healthy sleep habits

Your newborn’s sleep patterns: It appears to change from time to time. The 4th to 6th months is a transitional period for babies, especially when it comes to sleep.

Due to these transitions, sleep varies greatly depending on the infant. Some babies take a nap only twice a day, while others have a hard time putting their baby to sleep during nap time.

Some babies experience sleep regression due to changes in their sleep cycle, while others may sleep overnight. Regardless of your baby’s sleep pattern from 4 to 6 months, you know that overnight sleep is finally within your reach!

Challenge: Transitions will be the biggest challenge during this period. Know that these transitions are temporary, whether they are visible transitions such as diaper or bassinet to crib changes, or transitions that may not look like sleep cycle changes. So they are related challenges.

6-10 months: Finding sleep success

Your baby’s sleep pattern: is completely unique! But remember that all babies are different!

Some kids develop at a faster rate than others, so although your baby may still only sleep for four hours at a time at night, your friend’s child may have been sleeping through the night for a month.

It will take your baby a bit longer to accomplish the sleeping through the night milestone if you are just starting to develop a consistent bedtime routine, learning your baby’s tiredness cues, and breaking sleep associations. At this age, you should still have a unique sleeping routine.

The Challenge: Sleeping through the night. I’ve been sleeping all night. Some parents may be lucky that their child is already sleeping through the night! Other parents are still waiting. Don’t worry if you’re in the second group.

10-12 Months: Avoiding sleep setbacks

Your baby’s sleep patterns: Except for the naps, they appear to be grownups. Your kid is most likely sleeping through the night, having a couple of naps a day, and spending far more time playing and exploring than sleeping!

The Challenge: Your biggest challenge at this point will be any potential setbacks. Sleep regressions are prevalent at the ages of 8, 9, and 10, and some kids even experience them at the age of 12 months (when they’re about to stop taking their second nap).

Sleep regressions or setbacks at this age can be caused by a variety of factors, including developmental milestones, changes in habit or surroundings, and separation anxiety.

Baby sleep schedule by age

Baby sleep schedule: 0-6 weeks 

When to feed: Whenever the infant requires it – which will be frequently! Because their small tummies can only store so much, expect to be fed as soon as they wake up!

Baby sleep schedule: 2-3 months 

 When to Feed: Your baby’s stomach is a little bigger now, so he or she will stay full for a little longer, but babies this age still need to be fed every few hours, even at night.

Baby sleep schedule: 4 to 6-month-old sleep schedule

When to Feed:  Your baby’s feedings are probably consolidated by now, but you’re still feeding him 5 to 6 times per day. At this age, many babies still have at least one overnight feed, but it isn’t always essential.

Baby sleep schedule: 6-10 months

When to Feed: Some pediatricians advise starting solid foods at the age of six months or more. You’ll continue to breastfeed or bottle feed up to five times a day, but you’ll also be supplementing with solid foods. Consult your pediatrician for more information on how solid food servings should be prepared.

Baby sleep schedule: 10-12 months

When to Feed: You’ll usually nurse or bottle feed 3 to 4 times a day, with solid foods as a supplement. Due to your baby’s increased activity levels, you may notice an increase in hunger about 10 months old. This may necessitate additional snacks throughout the day. At this age, most newborns can sleep through the night without needing to be fed.

How to get baby to sleep longer stretches at night

Here are some tips how to put a baby to sleep fast:

Babies (birth to 4 months)

• A fatigued baby has a harder time sleeping. Because napping helps baby sleep better at night, keeping him up throughout the day will not help him sleep longer at night.
• When your baby is tired yet awake, put them in bed. Remember to place them in their crib or on a hard, flat surface on their back. Pillows and stuffed animals should be kept out of the cot.
• It’s fine to rock and cuddle your infant. Holding a young infant is not a good way to spoil them.
• A pacifier can provide comfort and aid in the settling of your baby. However, it’s preferable to wait until nursing is going well before using a pacifier.
• During the night, your baby will move around. Allow them a few minutes to relax on their own before approaching them.
• When it comes to evening feedings and diaper changes, avoid stimulation. Dim the lights if possible.

Infants (4 to 12 months)

• As much as possible, stick to a regular daytime and nighttime sleep routine.
• Maintaining a consistent nighttime routine is essential. The “3 Bs” are popular among parents: bath, book, and bed.
• Never put your infant to bed with a bottle in his or her mouth. Tooth decay can result as a result of this.
• If your baby wakes up crying at night around the age of 6 months, check to see if there is anything wrong, such as being too cold or too warm, but don’t remove them out of the crib. You can reassure them by gently touching their brow or softly speaking to let them know you’re there. This teaches your baby how to self-soothe, which is a vital step toward their falling asleep on their own.

Toddlers (1 to 2 years)

• Maintaining a sleep routine that your child is used to is still vital. Your toddler will benefit even more from the routine you set throughout the first year.
• Avoid taking naps too late in the day because they can interfere with evening sleeping at this age.
• Use stories and peaceful activities to help your youngster relax around half an hour before bedtime.
• If your youngster protests, be compassionate yet firm.
• Keep the bedroom calm, cozy, and conducive to sleep by dimming the lights.
• Music that is soft and relaxing might be soothing.
• At this age, security items (such as a blanket or stuffed animal) are common. 

All you need to ensure a suitable sleepyhead is to stick to a constant schedule and use relaxing tactics. Getting your child to sleep on time is a good first step toward getting yourself to sleep on time.