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Ah-h-h Peaceful Sleep
for Baby and You
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How Much Sleep is Normal?
Babies need sleep to recover from all the excitement of their new world and to let their quickly growing brains and bodies rest. Parents need to get enough sleep and rest, too, so try to nap or rest when baby is peaceful. Sleep time varies from baby to baby, however here is what you might expect:
1 to 6 weeks - Baby may sleep off and on, all day or night, as much as 20 hours per day.
6 weeks to 3 months - Baby naps during the day and may sleep for 4 to 6 hours at a time during the night.
3 to 8 months - Baby may nap 3 times a day and may sleep 6 to 8 hours at night.
8 to 12 months - Baby may nap twice a day and sleep 6 to 8 hours at night.
12 months to 3 years - Most children take 1 nap and sleep 8 to 10 hours at night.
3 years to 6 years - Most children take 1 nap and sleep 9 to 11 hours at night.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
These are usually very scary words for new parents to hear. Recent research suggests that you can reduce the risk of SIDS by taking the following precautions:
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Place your baby on its back to sleep and on its tummy to play.
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Never smoke around your baby.
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Keep toys and stuffed animals out of your baby's crib.
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Use firm, flat bedding and no pillows.
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Do not place your baby to sleep on water beds, sofas, soft mattresses, pillows, comforters or sheepskin.
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Do not over bundle baby or pile on many blankets.
Good Sleep Habits
Establish healthy sleeping habits by being consistent and try to maintain a regular sleep routine.
Here are some things you might do to get baby ready for bed:
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Sing, talk, rock or read.
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Play a mobile or music box.
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Pat her on her back or stroke her head.
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Give baby a massage.
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Keep lighting low.
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Give baby a warm bath. (Just a reminder: Keep the hot water heater below 120 degrees. Baby's sensitive skin scalds easily.)
Sleeping with Baby
There is no one right sleep arrangement for every family. Become informed, but make your own decision and feel good about it. To be certain your baby is safe:
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Make certain that fitted sheets stay secure and cannot be pulled loose.
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Make sure there is no space between the mattress and headboard or footboard.
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Consider a "sidecar" arrangement in which the baby's crib sits directly beside the main bed.
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Remove all pillows and blankets during the early months.
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Do not allow pets to sleep in the bed with your baby.
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Never sleep with baby if you have been drinking alcohol, smoke, have used any drugs or medications, are an especially sound sleeper and/or you are suffering from sleep deprivation and find it difficult to awaken.
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Do not sleep with baby if you are a large person, because a parent's excess weight is a proven risk to a baby in a co-sleeping situation.
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