How to help your baby sleep through the night?

Sleeping patterns

From birth to 4 months
Sleep is vital for your baby to relax and plays an important role in his development. The pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) secretes growth hormones during sleep. During his first few months, your baby’s internal clock adjusts and his sleeping patterns are set. As your baby grows older, he will need less sleep (but remember that children differ largely at any stage).

In the first few weeks after birth, your baby wakes up to feed and then falls back to sleep. Up to around 2 months old, he will sleep 17 hours a day, which then drops to between 15 and 16 hours. Children have short sleep cycles – around 50 to 70 minutes. They are restless at first and then relax into sleep. They still cannot tell the difference between night and day. Around the 2-month mark, your baby’s sleep pattern begins to find a structure and his sleeping cycles grow longer. He can sleep up to 6 hours without waking up for a feed. From 3 months, his nights are longer and he may take several naps during the day.

From 5 to 12 months
At around 5 months, children sleep 15 hours each day. Generally, sleep is split into night and two or three naps in the morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. However, there are no rules and every baby will find his own rhythm.

From 1 to 3 years
Sometimes your baby will not want to go to sleep because he doesn’t want to leave your side. Now your baby will be sleeping around 13 to 15 hours a day. Gradually, he will nap just once in the day in the early afternoon.

Bedtime rituals

Your baby needs to feel comfortable and loved by you to spend a pleasant night. It is hard for him to be separated from Mum or Dad at night. Cuddles, music, soft lighting and the same routine every evening will help your baby go to sleep.

“Crepuscular” children – who become agitated when night falls – will do well with a bath at this moment. They will then be calmer and more relaxed before going to bed. For the ritual to be effective, it must be identical each time. So, avoid rocking your baby or taking him for a walk as he can get too accustomed to this and will demand the same level of attention every evening before bedtime.

Putting your baby to bed is the ideal opportunity for your baby to become independent. He needs to learn to fall asleep on his own. A blanket or thumb can play a comforting role and reassure him in bed. As he grows up, he may want to tell you about his day or ask you to read a story. Bedtime will then become a special time to spend with your baby.

When your baby wakes up at night

There are many different reasons why your baby wakes up at night; teething, a change in his diet or fear of being alone. These events are so important that they can disrupt your baby’s sleep. Your baby may babble away in the middle of the night or sob. To make sure your baby doesn’t realise that he can attract your attention simply by crying, avoid rushing straight into his bedroom.

If his crying continues, check if your baby is okay without making too much noise or switching on the light. Comfort him and then leave him to fall back to sleep. Avoid bringing your baby into your bed as he will grow accustomed to this and things will be more difficult later on. Putting your baby to bed is a moment of separation – your baby needs to know that you will be there for him again the next day.

When your baby grows up

As he grows up, bedtime can seem to him as a moment when the playing stops. In some instances, you may constantly have to ask him to calm down and this may end with shouts and tears. To avoid sulking and fits of anger or tears, set a regular bedtime. If your baby wakes up, put him back to bed. Remain firm and avoid giving in to all his demands.

Generally, children want to delay the time at which they go to bed, but they may also be scared of something, which parents need to try to understand to help them overcome their fears. To prevent your baby from thinking that going to bed is a punishment, avoid shouting “Go to bed!”. Sleeping can become a pleasurable moment for your baby, a time when he is alone to let his imagination and dreams run wild.