One of the biggest challenges facing parents is establishing solid sleep patterns with infants. The sleeping and waking habits of every baby are as different as each child. Parents can follow some general guidelines to help promote and provide healthy sleeping patterns that will benefit babies and parents alike.

It is important to realize that infants, especially newborns, need to eat at regular intervals, including the middle of the night. Sleeping for long periods of time (more than 4 to 6 hours), does not generally allow for this necessary nourishment. Overall, breastfed babies might need to eat more often, but it is important for parents to discuss any nutritional issues and expectations with their pediatricians.

Babies have similar levels of sleep as children and adults, but just experience them in different ways. There are various patterns of drowsiness, deep sleep, and light sleep, and in babies these tend to come in shorter periods of time than in older children and adults.

A baby who sleeps soundly for 4 to 6 hours at a time is most likely experiencing deep sleep. The need to eat or be comforted will wake the baby from the phase of sleep. Parents may find that is it difficult for baby to return to deep sleep soon after this, even after the needs are met. Recognizing these sleep phases will help parents understand the sleep habits of their babies.

Some babies will sleep deeply from 9 p.m. until about 2 a.m., and then appear restless for the next several hours, even after eating and diapering. This can be a natural sleep pattern for babies, even though it seems like insufficient time to the parents. Consistent sleep habits for infants can be encouraged by parents by following several guidelines.

When a baby wakes at night to eat, parents should diaper, feed, and burp the baby, with as little noise and light as possible. This will help cue the baby that this is not play time. Even if baby appears tired or falls asleep while eating, parents need to burp baby. This will help prevent the baby from being awakened later by an upset stomach.

Sometimes a baby will continues to behave restlessly after eating, diaper changing, and burping. That baby has other needs that need to be addressed by Mom or Dad. There are bottles specifically designed to create less air flow and reduce the chances of gas build up in babies stomachs. There are also products, such as Mylicon, that are used in the bottle by some parents to help reduce gas. It is important to check with the baby’s pediatrician before using any additive products, as not all babies can tolerate them. Breastfeeding moms should pay close attention to their own food consumption to see if certain foods or beverages seem related to their baby’s digestion and restlessness.

The sleeping habits of babies will change and vary as they grow through various stages of development. Establishing consistent sleep patterns will help eventually provide longer periods of deep sleep for babies. Even though parents may feel an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, it is important to remain patient and calm. Babies will eventually find a pattern that gives them their needed rest and allows parent the same. Sometimes parents might need to nap with babies during the day if possible, or share night time routines between parents, in order to have enough energy to positively influence the sleeping habits of their babies.

Try These Recommended Resources:

Baby Sleep Solution Audio Program

Baby Sleep Tonight e-book