10/08/2025
Most newborns awaken 1 to 3 times during the night in the first 3 months of life and the majority of infants can be expected to sleep through the night by 4 to 6 months of age. Many parents (and grandparents!) assume that these nighttime awakenings are related to their infant's need to eat. This may be part of the problem in the first 2 months, but there is much more to it. Although most children learn to sleep through the night on their own, here are a few tips to follow to try to avoid future sleep problems before 4 Months:
👶1. Keep 'em Cozy. Your newborn has been used to 9 months of close quarters while she was growing inside you. Keep her comfortable by swaddling her, using a small bassinet or crib, and keeping the room at about 68° to 72°F. Caution: don't over bundle, and don't use sheepskins, waterbeds or down comforters because of the risk of suffocation.
✔2. Put your baby in the crib while awake. Let your baby learn to fall asleep without you. Crying for 15 to 20 minutes is not unusual. If necessary, rock her, but put her in the crib before she falls asleep. Background noise may also help to signal nap times or bed time. Try a radio, air conditioner, a musical toy, tapes of uterine sounds, or the white noise that comes from an unoccupied TV channel or radio frequency. Try to wean the use of noises by 4 months of age.
😴3. Establish a routine. A consistent daytime and nighttime ritual for naps and bedtime is extremely important. If your hectic schedule does not permit this, try to always be home for the same nap time every day.
4. Hold your baby for fussy crying. Children under 4 months need to be soothed. Respond to your baby. You will not spoil her.
5. Be brief during nighttime feedings. Save the fun stuff (singing, playing etc.) for the daytime.
For more tips, visit: https://www.icpeds.com/Sleeping
