Helping Your Newborn Baby Sleep All Night

It is better to choose a mattress that is firm. Not only will your baby sleep more soundly on a firm mattress, but your baby will also be safer

Congratulations! You just got home with your new baby and what a wonderful bundle of joy, except for the fact that maybe you haven't slept much since. There is hope. Help teach your baby to have a peaceful nights sleep with the following steps.

Newborns usually sleep for more than sixteen hours ever day. However, they tend to take a lot of naps around the clock, usually ranging from an hour or two long. As baby continues to develop, his nervous system begins to mature, allowing him to take longer intervals between feedings. This allows for a more regular sleeping schedule.

When your baby is around three months old, most likely he/she will be able to sleep at least five hours at night.

Try the following steps and encourage your baby to get a full night's sleep.

• When your baby is awake during the day, make sure you keep him actively involved by singing or talking and playing. Keep the lights on to help keep baby alert.

• Babies need daytime naps, but allowing a long nap will keep your baby awake more during the night.

• Implement a routine at bedtime. Be sure to keep before bedtime activities consistent. If evening time is when you bathe your baby, make it part of the regular bedtime routine and add some cuddling, singing or reading time to this bedtime ritual.

• Tuck baby in when he or she is drowsy but still somewhat alert. This will help baby begin associating bed with going to sleep.

• Allow time for your baby to calm down. If baby tends to fuss as soon as you lay him in bed, give him/her a little time to get comfortable and become accustomed to falling asleep on his own. If you've given your baby twenty minutes or so to do this and the crying doesn't stop, calmly talk to your baby as you rub his/her back to give him a sense of security, knowing you're close by.

• A pacifier can sometimes help your baby settle down. The downfall to this is if baby loses the pacifier during the night, more than likely he'll cry for it and guess who will have to get up to find it.

• Babies move a lot during their sleep. Expect your baby to squirm in their sleep. This helps him/her to get comfortable. If baby gets more restless, it may be due to a soiled diaper or hunger. After checking these things, give him a few more minutes to get settled.

• Maintain minimal care at nighttime. If your baby awakes during the night, keep the lights dim and voices low to help teach him/her that nighttime is quiet time.

Generally, by the time babies turn six months old, they should be sleeping through the night. If this is not the case, ask your pediatrician for suggestions.