Baby sleep
Get the facts about parents’ most common questions.
How much babies sleep – or don’t! – is on every parent’s mind during the first year. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about baby sleep.
How do I safely put my baby to sleep?
To keep your baby safe at night, remember the ABCs of safe sleep:
Always place your baby to sleep on their back in a clear sleep space free of any objects like bumpers, toys, pillows and loose bedding.
The safest place for a baby to rest is in their own clear, separate space. Babies should be put down to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no raised areas.
It is also important to keep your home smoke-free day and night: Babies who are exposed to tobacco smoke before or after birth have a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies who are kept free from smoke.
Babies should always be kept near a caregiver during the first six months – day and night. They are safest when you are close by.
How do you dress a baby for sleep?
Make sure bedding and clothing are appropriate for the weather where you live. It is also important to keep your baby’s head uncovered while they sleep so they don’t get too hot or suffocate.
How do I get my baby to sleep?
Over time, your little one will learn the difference between day and night. To help them learn that nighttime is for sleep, try to create a calm environment in their sleeping space. Rock or bounce them gently, sing them a lullaby and keep voices soft. Put them down right after they have been fed, burped, given a fresh nappy/diaper and changed into their bed clothes.
My baby won’t go to sleep and I’m exhausted. What do I do?
When your baby has been crying for some time, it can make you feel like crying too: especially if you are short on sleep. It is common to feel stressed and overwhelmed when dealing with a crying baby – you are not alone. Try your best to remain calm and be patient. Believe it or not, your baby can sense when you are tense.
Sometimes, even after it feels like you have tried everything, your little one will continue to cry. If you are feeling upset, put your baby in a safe place and take a short break (5-10 minutes) before coming back to try again.
No matter how upset you feel, never shake, hit or shout at your baby.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. If you are able, reach out to your partner, a trusted family member or a friend to watch your baby so you can get some rest yourself.
When will my baby sleep through the night?
There is no magic age for when your baby (and you!) get a full night’s rest. Sleep cycles for babies change as they grow, so while you may have a 6-month-old who sleeps through the night, your baby may start waking more frequently when they reach 12 months.
Babies’ sleep needs change as they grow, and sleep times vary widely for babies under four months. Typically, newborns ages 0-3 months need 14–17 hours of sleep, and infants ages 4–11 months need between 12 and 15 hours. If you ever have any concerns about how much or little your child is sleeping, speak to their health care provider.
When can a baby sleep on their stomach?
Placing your baby on their back for sleep is one of the best steps you can take to make sure your little one is sleeping as safely as possible. Always lay your baby to sleep on their back for every nap and every sleep as this significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. However, once your baby can roll from their back to their front and from their front to their back on their own, they can safely find their own sleeping position. A great way to help them get ready is supervised play on their bellies (“tummy time”) while they are awake.
How do you burp a sleeping baby?
Babies can be burped using common techniques such as over the shoulder or sitting on your lap, even while they are sleeping. If your sleeping baby does not burp, they will likely pass gas.
