Sleep

How much sleep should my baby get?

A new born baby will be asleep for a longer amount of time in a day than they are awake. They can sleep up to 18 hours a day sometimes, but occasionally they will sleep less, a minimum of eight hours. Their sleep schedule will be random and they will wake up when they are hungry.

Between three and six months old, they will start needing fewer night time feeds and will sleep for longer. At this age they may be able to sleep for eight hours or longer during the night but will not sleep through the whole night.

Between six and twelve months old they will sleep for between twelve to fifteen hours total.

Safe sleeping

When your baby is sleeping at night, the best thing for them is to put them on their back in their cot. It is also good to have their cot be in the same room as you when you’re both asleep for the first six months.

To help your baby sleep safely, follow these tips:

  • Make sure they’re in a cot – it’s the safest place for them. Make sure they are alone in the cot, don’t have any toys or anything that could cover their face, or make them too hot.
  • Have a good mattress – it should be firm and flat. If you buy it second-hand, make sure it has come from a smoke free home. A firm mattress is best, if it is too soft it can become too difficult for them to lose heat, and their head may sink into the mattress.
  • Consider a sleeping bag – baby sleeping bags can help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as they prevent the baby from wriggling underneath their bedding. You just need to make sure that it fits well around their shoulders.
  • Baby blankets – if you use a blanket instead of a sleeping bag, lie your baby down on their back and make sure that the blanket is tucked firmly and securely so that they can’t get it to cover their face. A cellular cotton blanket is the best option as it keeps your baby warm while allowing plenty of airflow.

Co-sleeping

It is always the best option to let your baby sleep alone in their own space. However, there may be occasions where you need to sleep with them, so its important to know what to avoid when doing it.

When is co-sleeping not safe?

You should never sleep with your baby if you are feeling extremely tired, or if you or your baby are ill or showing signs of illness.

You should not sleep with your baby if they were born prematurely or had a low weight at birth (less than 2.5kg/5.5 pounds.

If you sleep with them, try to avoid falling asleep on a sofa or chair as this can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

You should not co-sleep if you have been:

  • Smoking
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Taking drugs

How to co-sleep safely

If you are co-sleeping, make sure that:

  • Your baby cannot fall out of bed or become trapped between the mattress and wall or edge of their cot
  • Keep pillows and blankets away from your child so that they cannot smother themselves accidentally
  • Do not let other children or pets into the bed at the same time
  • Always put your baby to sleep on their back

Night time routines

When your baby is around 3 months old you might want to start introducing a bedtime routine. Getting them into a good routine is both a great opportunity to spend quality 1-to-1 time with your baby, and will help them sleep more soundly in the night.

Your routine could include:

  • Having a bath
  • Brushing their teeth (if they have any)
  • Changing into sleeping cloths and putting on a fresh nappy
  • Putting them into their bed
  • Reading a bedtime story
  • Dimming or turning off lights to create a calm environment
  • Giving goodnight kisses and cuddles
  • Singing to them

Disturbed nights

Babies will wake up at random points in the night when they are hungry. It is difficult to predict when they will wake up and is something that can be hard to cope with.

Their sleep patterns will change too, it might feel like you’ve got it figured out and then they change suddenly. Be prepared to change your own routines as your baby grows and goes into different stages of development. You might find yourself awake more as they start growing their teeth.

If your baby is having problems sleeping and their patterns change very often, talk to your health visitor or GP.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

It is not known exactly why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from SIDS, but there are a few things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of this happening.

Experts and scientists do know that always putting a baby to sleep on their back will reduce the risk and that exposing a baby to cigarettes or being in high heats will increase the risk of it happening.

To reduce the risk of SIDS, follow these tips:

  • Make sure they sleep on their back
  • Keep their heads uncovered – a blanket should cover no higher than their shoulders
  • If you are holding or carrying your baby in a sling, make sure the material does not go over or cover their faces or head
  • Make sure they don’t get too hot or cold
  • Avoid sleeping with them on a sofa or chair
  • Don’t smoke when you’re pregnant or around your baby after they have been born, and do not allow anyone to smoke in the same room as your baby

Get in touch

Sleep

More in 0-1