Baby Sleep – A Help Guide

Let’s face it, most mothers, and to a lesser extent fathers, in the first few months of parenthood are sleep deprived. If fact, if you ask mothers about sleep their most likely response will be “what sleep?”

The unfortunate reality for most newborn babies is that their sleep patterns will be erratic to say the least and it usually will take some time for their sleep patterns to develop. Sleep is very important for a developing baby so having your baby sleep properly is not only good for them, but it is also very good for parents too.

The first thing you should do for your baby is to try and develop a sleep timetable, this is extremely important in the first six months, as it will ensure your baby is getting the right amount of sleep and it will become much easier to monitor. The more sleep your baby can get the more you can get. Make sleeping as consistent as possible, that includes the build-up too – unwinding your baby in preparation for sleep is critical. Doing things like reading a book, having a bath and saying goodnight to all her toy friends will all help, but again, consistency is essential.

If your baby is finding it hard to sleep becuase of colic, here are some great anti-colic tips.

Below is a baby sleep guide recommended by doctors worldwide:

Age: 1 week
Day Sleep: 8 hours
Night Sleep: 8 1/2 hours
Total: 16 1/2 hours

Age: 1 month
Day Sleep: 7 hours
Night Sleep: 8 1/2 hours
Total: 15 1/2 hours

Age: 3 months
Day Sleep: 5 hours
Night Sleep: 10 hours
Total: 15 hours

Age: 6 months
Day Sleep: 3 1/4 hours
Night Sleep: 11 hours
Total: 14 1/4 hours

Age: 9 months
Day Sleep: 3 hours
Night Sleep: 11 hours
Total: 14 hours

Age: 12 months
Day Sleep: 2 1/4 hours
Night Sleep: 11 1/2 hours
Total: 13 3/4 hours