Understanding your babies sleep: 1-3mths

Now your baby will probably begin to stay awake longer during the day and sleep more at night than when he or she was a newborn. Probably - but the range of ‘normal’ is still very wide! Be aware that the definition of ‘sleeping through the night’ is also very broad.

How long will my baby sleep?

Since your baby is more alert and aware of immediate surroundings during the day, he will be more inclined to sleep during the night, especially if you fight the urge to play or talk to your baby during night feeds or diaper changes.

Your baby is adapting to the sleep-wake cycle that parents favour, and his stomach is growing and holding more breast milk or formula. At 3 months of age your baby will likely sleep about 15 hours out of each 24-hour period, and two thirds of that sleep will take place during the night. Most babies will have settled into a daily sleep routine of two or three sleep periods during the day, followed by ‘sleeping through the night’ for 6 to 7 hours after a late-night feeding.

If he is sleeping a lot when you want him awake - or vice versa - encourage wakefulness during the day while also allowing him to have distinct sleeping periods. You also can rouse him for the late-night feeding at a time that suits your sleep schedule. For instance, if he gets sleepy after a 7pm feed then sleeps until 2 am before feeding again, wake him at 11pm and put him down to sleep until an early-morning feed at 5 or 6 am. It may take a few nights to establish this routine, but it will happen if you are consistent.

Soon he will sleep through to 7am, once he has established this you can start to move your 11pm feed, back 15 minutes every night or every second night. If he wakes at 6.30am you have moved the feed back too soon. If he wakes before 7am try to allow him to stay in bed until 7am so he learns that he is always up at the same regular time daily.

If he wakes during the period that you want him to be sleeping, keep activity to a minimum. Change or feed him in the dark, and don’t play with him. He will start to get the message that you’re a bore during the night, so he might as well just go back to sleep.

Again, not all infants keep to the same timetable. If you have questions or concerns, check with your doctor.

Where and how should my baby sleep?

It may still be more practical to have your baby’s crib in your own bedroom since you are waking to feed him regularly through the night, and there is research that suggests that having an infant sleep in a separate crib/ bassinet in the same room as you reduces the risk of cot death. However, you may prefer to move him to his own room so your sleep is less interrupted by the sounds he makes in his sleep.

Crib/cot safety

Make sure your baby’s crib complies with safety standards. The headboard and foot-board don’t have openings or cutouts that could trap your baby’s head. Don’t use pillows, comforters, quilts, and other soft or plush items on the bed. At this stage, many parents start to put their babies in a sleeping bag – particularly if they have an active baby. This will prevent their covers from going over their heads and stop them kicking covers off. Don’t place your bed near draperies or blinds where your child could be strangled by cords. Make sure your mattress fits snugly in the bed frame so that your baby won’t become trapped in between the frame and the mattress.

Back to Sleep

Experts recommend that healthy infants always be placed on their back to sleep not their stomachs. The incidence of cot death has decreased by more than 50% since that recommendation was first made in 1992. It is now also recommended that premature infants sleep only on their backs.

Co-Sleeping

Experts recommend against bringing your baby to sleep in the bed with you for safety reasons. Although many cultures endorse co sleeping, there is a risk that the baby can suffocate or strangle, and studies have shown that there’s a higher incidence of cot death (sudden infant death syndrome) in households where the baby slept in the bed with the parents.

How can I encourage my baby to sleep?

If you haven’t already, try establishing a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for him. Bathing, reading, and singing can be soothing for parents and babies, and signal an end to the day.

Be consistent, and he will soon associate these steps with sleeping. Keep in mind that if part of your bedtime routine is to rock him for half an hour, then whenever he wakes up at night he is going to expect and need that step to get back to sleep. Ideally, he should be put into a crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake. This way he will learn to fall asleep on his own.

Although it may be hard at first, some experts suggest this is also the age to start letting him fuss for a few minutes when he wakes during the night. When using a merino sleeping bag his temperature will be better regulated and the sleep bag also allows him to learn to resettle himself if he wakes through the night. He may simply be in a phase of light slumber, even though you think he is awake. Some babies squirm, whine, and even cry in their sleep before putting themselves back to sleep. Unless you suspect that he needs a nappy change, is hungry or ill, try to see what happens if you leave him alone you can supervise via a monitor. It will help you all in the long run if he can develop the skills to resettle and go back to sleep without your immediate help.

It is never easy so do talk to friends and family for support.