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Living > Public Health, Safety

How Do I Get My Baby To Sleep?

Sleeping Baby This question may really involve several concerns. You may be concerned or stressed because your baby:

  • settles only with being held or rocked
  • settles only with feeding
  • wakes as soon as you put her down
  • wakes when he loses his soother.

During the first few weeks, many parents feel exhausted and need to find ways to catch up on their sleep as well. When you feel rested it's easier to respond to your baby's signals in a loving, consistent way.

Your baby grows rapidly during the first year. Patience and persistence will help him develop his/her own bedtime sleep routine.

Like older children and adults, infants may require different amounts of sleep and have different sleep patterns - some may have frequent or long daytime naps; others may sleep longer at night and avoid daytime naps. The age at which a baby sleeps through the night is very individual.

Many factors can interrupt your baby's sleep patterns and routines; e.g. growth spurts, teething, or illness. As these situations pass, you can help your baby return to a consistent sleep routine.

Sleep routines you start with an infant may continue into the toddler stage.

Helping your Baby Learn to Sleep at Night

Routines

  • A daily routine that is consistent yet flexible enough to meet your baby's changing needs helps your baby know you'll be there when he needs you.
  • Routine helps build trust so that your baby feels secure and loved.
  • Developing a consistent and positive bedtime routine is the most helpful way to get a young child to bed and to sleep.

Transition Time

  • A quiet consistent bedtime routine assists your baby through the gradual transition of being away from you at night; e.g. bathtime, feeding, cuddling, singing a lullaby, tucking in.
  • Your baby may develop attachment to a favourite blanket or other comforting transitional object.

Follow Through

  • Practice routines that help your baby learn how to settle herself or return to sleep on her own.
  • As your baby grows and his daily routine shifts to more regular meal times and more waking time during the day, consider reasons for his waking at night.
  • Don't automatically reward him with a feeding or rocking him back to sleep. Keep the interaction with your baby brief when night-time waking occurs.

A change in sleep pattern may indicate your baby is ill. Always respond immediately if you feel your baby may be ill.
Always attend to physical discomforts such as wet diaper, room too hot or too cold.
If you have questions or concerns about your baby's sleep, contact the Parent Talk Line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 extension 7555.

Adapted with the permission of the City of Ottawa, Early Years Health Program


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