Just like adults, children need good sleep. When they do not sleep well, they can feel unhappy or frustrated. They may cry a lot, and nothing seems to satisfy them. Getting enough sleep can also be a concern for parents and caregivers.
How can I get my baby to sleep?
For the first month, your baby may sleep for 18 of every 24 hours, then 12 to 16 hours a day for the first year. In the early months, most babies wake up several times at night to connect and eat.
Breastfeeding or chestfeeding can be a great way to get your new baby back to sleep. Keep the room dark and quiet. Don’t stimulate your baby by trying to play with them before putting them back in their bed. You may consider changing their diaper or burping your baby during feeds if they are falling asleep before you have finished a full feed. Helping your baby get enough nap time during the day can also help them sleep well at night.
At about 6 months, your baby’s sleep patterns will change. Your baby will start each night with a few hours of very deep sleep, followed by several hours of lighter sleep. During light sleep, they may partly wake many times. At this age, your baby has developed enough to begin to learn how to fall asleep on their own. This may help both of you have more restful nights. To help teach your baby how to fall asleep on their own you may consider trying to:
- Breastfeed, chestfeed, or bottle feed at the start of the bedtime routine
- Rock or sing to your baby before you put them into bed
- Make sure the room is quiet and dark
- Stroke or hold your baby’s hand while they lie in their bed. Do this less as your baby learns to fall asleep on their own, without you in the room
- Be consistent. Follow the same routine for naps and at night
How can I get my toddler to sleep?
Many children between 1 and 3 years of age wake up during the night at least once a week. Waking at night peaks between 18 months to 2 years and then decreases over time.
Ages 1 to 3 years are also a time when children discover and start expressing their independence. They want to make their own decisions, so naps and bedtimes may be a challenge. Babies and children usually respond well to structured nap and bedtime routines if allowed to make some of their own decisions. Design a routine that suits you and your child. This routine can help slow your child down to support their transition to sleep.
How can I help my toddler develop a good bedtime routine and sleep habits?
Children do well with a familiar schedule. A predictable day and a regular bedtime routine will help your child sleep well. Here are some tips on how you can help your child:
- Set up a daytime schedule that includes regular times for naps, snacks, and mealtimes, and the start of the bedtime routine
- Let your child know when the bedtime routine is about to begin. For example, “After we tidy up the toys, we will get ready for sleep time”
- Slow down activity at bedtime
- Avoid screens before bedtime, which is stimulating and not relaxing
- Give your child some choices at bedtime. For example, which story to read or which pajamas to wear
- Make bedtime a special time and talk about the day for a few moments
- Cuddle together, make up a story about your child’s day, and ask for ideas or input. For example, “Jason woke up early this morning and the first thing he did was crawl into bed with his daddy. Then he went for breakfast. What did he eat?” Small children love stories where they are the main character
- Sing a favourite song, or read a bedtime story
- Help your child learn to fall asleep on their own by putting them into bed while they are sleepy but still awake
- Keep the sleeping area quiet, and check on them until they fall asleep
- Repeat the phrase “Now it is sleep time” as you tuck your child into bed
If your child will not go to sleep or wakes in the night, repeat the last step in your bedtime routine. For example, sing a song while you give your child a hug or cuddle, and then repeat the phrase “Now it is sleep time.”
Most families find that a happy bedtime routine combines what the child and the parents need. An established bedtime routine also makes it easier for other people to put your child to bed.
How can I make sure that my child is safe when they are sleeping?
Creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby will reduce the risk of injuries and sleep related infant death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For more information about how to make every sleep as safe as possible for your baby, visit HealthLinkBC File #107 Safe sleeping for babies.
For safe sleeping information for parents and caregivers, use the provincial resources Safer Sleep for My Baby (PDF, 2.04 MB) and Honouring our Babies.
For more information
For more information about child development, visit the following HealthLinkBC Files:
