Bedtime Basics for Babies

Sleep is important for babies. Experts say that the infants’ brains develop during sleep, helping little ones gain new abilities.

Newborns typically sleep for one to two hours at a stretch, for a total of about 16 to 17 hours a day. But by the time they reach 6 months, babies usually only take two daytime naps and get the rest of their sleep at night.

As babies get older, they need less sleep. By age 12 months, the typical toddler sleeps about 11 hours at night and gets another two and one half to three hours of sleep during two daytime naps.

A Nighttime Routine for Your Baby
It’s normal for newborns to wake up as many as five to eight times a night. You may find that feeding, holding, or rocking your newborn helps her go to sleep after waking up.

But as your baby gets older, you need to teach her how to go back to sleep without you. By the time your baby reaches 6 months or so, she may still wake up during the night. But she should be able to fall back asleep on her own after a few minutes.

Having a routine and knowing what to do if your baby cries at night can help you teach her good sleep habits.

• Once your baby is about 6 months old, don’t let her nap more than one or one and one half hours. Longer naps may make her more likely to stay up at night.
• Put your baby in the crib as soon as she gets sleepy. If you hold or rock your baby to sleep, she will need you to fall back asleep when she wakes up during the night.
• When feeding or changing your baby during the night, try to keep her calm and quiet. This makes it easier for her to go back to sleep.