Frequently asked questions on helping your baby get a good night’s sleep!

• Why is sleep important?
• How much sleep does my little one need?
• How do I establish a bedtime routine?
• How can I settle my baby at night?
• Tips for difficult settlers
• Tips for early risers
• How can I make my baby’s sleeping environment safe?
• My little one’s sleep pattern is disrupted- what would you recommend?

• Sleep is a very important part of a baby’s day, as it enables the body and brain to rest and for physical growth to occur. Dreaming is one of the most important functions of sleep as it allows your little one to file away the day’s stimulating and exciting adventures.

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How much sleep does your baby need?

• Every baby has their own sleep pattern and this can vary from day to day, and from night to night, and will change as they get older.
• The following guide is designed to show the approximate amount of sleep your baby will require per day at different ages:

Reference:  Birth to five – Department of Health 2006.

• Remember this is only a guide and your baby may require more or less sleep than this, depending upon their own individual sleep pattern. If you are at all worried or concerned, please consult a health professional.
• You can use our handy downloadable sleep chart to record your baby’s sleep pattern over the course of two weeks, to identify any problems and potential solutions, click here

Some babies manage 5-6 hour stretches of sleep at night by 3-4 months, but many do not.
After 6 months night waking happens in 50% of children who had previously slept through.
By about 6 – 8 months, most babies will not need a feed at night.
At 9 month olds, 22% of babies have difficulty settling at night and 42% wake frequently.

Don’t worry if your little one is experiencing some trouble settling at night, waking throughout the night or they are an early riser - you definitely are not alone!

Ref:  www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/your_kids

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Establishing a regular bedtime routine

• Make bedtime an enjoyable experience, a special time for cuddles and attention.
• From as early as 6 to 8 weeks, begin to establish a simple and consistent bedtime routine that suits both you and your baby. Try to start the routine at a similar time each day and follow the same pattern.
• Try not to let your little one fall asleep too early in the evening. A good baby bedtime is between 7 and 8.30 pm; any later than this and they may become overtired! If your older baby/toddler is an early riser, make their bedtime slightly later, so that they sleep in a bit later.
• This routine needs to be calm and relaxed.  Start the wind-down period after dinner, slowing the pace so that your little one isn’t over-stimulated before going to bed. Reading, singing and quiet play are all good activities!
• You can include any/all of the following activities in your routine:
  • Bath time
  • Getting baby ready for bed
  • Last feed*
  • A story
  • Lullaby
  • Cuddle/Good Night kiss
• Make bedtime an enjoyable experience, a special time for cuddles and attention.

* Remember it is important to clean your baby’s teeth after the last feed at night, to prevent prolonged contact of teeth with milk feeds which may increase the risk of tooth decay

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Settling your baby

• Now, put your baby into their cot, whilst still awake so that they can settle happily to sleep on their own.  If your baby is comforted to sleep by being cuddled, rocked or fed, then your baby will always expect this, particularly if they wake in the night.
• When you are settling your baby in their room for the night, or giving them their night time feed, dim the light and talk in a soft voice, this will help your baby to distinguish between daytime and night time!
• Give your baby a favourite toy or comforter.  You should keep the cot free from lots of toys, one special blanket or stuffed toy is fine.
• If your baby cries when you put them to bed, give them a few minutes to settle.  Don’t rush back into the room immediately, but don’t leave a young baby to cry for too long.

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Tips for difficult settlers

• If your baby is finding it hard to settle, you may want to stay with them until they fall asleep, perhaps sitting by the cot or soothing them by touching their hair or holding their hand.   
• As they begin to settle with you nearby, gradually move away from the cot.  It is a good idea to stay in the bedroom area for a while though so that if they do wake up or cry then you can go to them to reassure them.  Try saying a couple of words, or give them a gentle stroke of the head or back, before moving away again.
• Some babies are happier if they can hear household noises nearby, so don’t worry about making some noise at bedtime, but don’t bring them back into the main noise of the house as this will stimulate them too much.

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Tips for early risers

This can be worse during summer, when mornings are very light.

• Make your baby's room darker with thick curtains or blinds
• Try making your baby's bedtime a bit later - early to bed will almost certainly mean early to rise for most small children
• If you have more than one child and they share a bedroom, you might be able to encourage them to play and amuse each other in the mornings for a short while before they need to wake you up!

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Safe sleeping for your baby

• Whether your baby sleeps in your room* or in a room on their own the following applies:

Temperature control

• The room should be kept at about 18˚c; a room thermometer will help you to monitor this easily
• Babies should never sleep next to a radiator, heater or in direct sunlight
• Make sure that your baby doesn’t get too hot or too cold at night
• You should avoid over-heating by using too many blankets or covers. Instead use light blankets or clothing, or as an alternative use a sleep sack (a sleeping bag specially designed for babies and toddlers).

Other safety rules

• Your baby’s cot should be placed so that they cannot reach cords on curtains, blinds or lights
• If your baby is under 1 year of age, do not use a duvet, quilt or pillows because of the risk of suffocation
• Babies should always be laid to sleep on their backs.

* Experts advise that your baby sleeps in their cot in your room for the first 6 months of life

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My baby has a disrupted sleep pattern, what would you recommend?

• Click here for our handy downloadable sleep chart, where you can record and monitor your baby’s sleep pattern over a two week period. This will help you to identify problem areas, and together with your health visitor you can work out ways of solving these. We have completed an example of this chart to guide you, and have included some more instructions on the chart itself to assist you!
• The biggest milestone related to sleeping is going through the night! Remember to mark this occasion when it happens, with a sticker in your HiPP Organic Baby’s first year record book.
• For more tips on helping your baby to sleep or to chat with other mums about sleep visit: www.hippbabyclub.co.uk