Tips to Build a Perfect Sleep Schedule for Your Baby

Child-raising is an enthralling experience that every couple desires, even though it comes with the responsibility of taking the best care. So, if you are about to welcome a new life, be prepared for the sleepless nights calming the baby.

Your baby’s sleep routine will change as he grows; therefore, you should be aware of all the aspects to be physically and mentally prepared for the upcoming challenge.

In this blog post, we will highlight the baby’s sleep schedule by age to save new parents from all the efforts and sleep-deprived nights.

Before getting into the details, you need to understand that newborns tend to sleep more, and as they grow, the total number of hours will decrease.

Sleep Charting by Age

You cannot expect to set up a sleep routine for a newborn, but you can introduce it slowly so that when your baby gets two months old, it becomes easy for you to make him sleep on time, as the baby’s internal clock will match with the day-night cycle. Later on, daytime naps and nighttime sleep training will become effortless.

Sound sleeping plays a crucial role in a baby’s mental and physical development in the initial years since this is the time when his body will rejuvenate and release good hormones that would support growth. Below is the detailed baby sleep schedule that you can refer to if you have not started with the training process

• Baby’s Sleep Schedule: Newborn to 2 Months

Newborns sleep around 16-17 hours daily with no set pattern as the little one’s body is still acclimating to the outer world. There might be instances when he would wake up abruptly, especially during nighttime, so you should be ready to soothe him and put him back to bed. The duration of sleep will not be fixed during the first two months, and parents should also try to cope with the significant changes in their lives.

How much sleep should you expect?

In the first two months, your baby feeds on breastmilk or formula, which tends to get digested quickly, so the little one also wakes up to feed even during the night. Also, wet diapers can interrupt sleep, so you should keep a check and change the diaper before it gets full. Expect 2-4 hours of sleep time and naps during the day.

• Baby’s Sleep Schedule: 2 to 4 Months

At this age, the baby is expected to go through a sleep transition since he will respond well to the sleep routine you are trying to set up, but the duration of sleep will not differ much. You may still face unpredictable sleeping patterns, but patience and effort is the best approach in this specific phase

How much sleep should you expect?

At night, expect your baby to sleep around 6 hours at a stretch if his tummy is full and the diaper is not wet. Therefore, you should adapt to the child’s nighttime sleep to stay away from stress.

• Baby’s Sleep Schedule: 4 to 6 Months

The recommended baby sleep schedule for babies aged 4-6 months is 12-16 hours per day. Till now, your baby’s sleep will become predictable and regular; thus, you can prepare well in advance. Most children of this age group have longer napped after bath time during the day and during the night. As the little one starts interacting with the surroundings and becomes playful, the baby will sleep less during the day.

How much sleep should you expect?

Your baby will wake up less frequently for feeds during the night, and thus, you can also sleep peacefully throughout for 6-12 hours. During the day, naps will be shorter; hence, you will have to keep him busy with age-appropriate activities. Indulgence in activities will also tire him, ensuring better sleep at night.

• Baby’s Sleep Schedule: 6 to 12 Months

When we talk about baby sleep schedules by age for 6-12 months babies, make sure your munchkin sleeps for at least 12-14 hours daily. If you have been practising sleep training religiously, you will see a massive difference in your baby’s routine, and he will doze off readily since, by now, he will be acquainted with bedtime routines and naps.

How much sleep should you expect?

Paediatricians and specialists recommend 12-14 hours of sleep, including 2-3 naps during the day. Your child will be physically active by now and start knee walking and cruising, which will tire him, and he will sleep well through the night.

• Toddler’s Sleep Schedule: 1 to 2 Years

Your tiny tot is now a toddler, and he is less interested in sleeping during the day since there are so many things he can do now. However, it would help if you still tried to achieve two short naps in a day and at least 11-14 hours of sleep in total.

One mistake that parents tend to make at this age is introducing screen time, which impacts the sleep routine adversely. Try to engage your baby in physical and mental activities rather than making him sit in front of the screen.

How much sleep should you expect?

By now, your toddler will start sleeping through the night as you will be feeding proper meals that will keep the child calm.

Significant Tips and Suggestions on How to Get a Baby on a Sleep Schedule

Now that we have described the sleep schedules for different age groups, you should also be aware of the strategies that you can adopt to achieve the desired sleep pattern without any issues. Here are seven essential, practical, and effective tips for you, so just read on and get the best results:

Start timely but not too soon

Do not expect your baby to respond to your sleep training efforts in the first two months since his body is not synchronized with the day-night schedule. However, we recommend you start timely and keep putting in effort.

Be flexible

In the initial days, you need to be flexible according to your child’s needs so that the little one becomes comfortable, or else he will end up being irritated. Do not impose your plan; instead, go with the flow.

Watch for baby’s sleep cues

There may be days when your child may feel tired and sleepy before the sleep schedule; therefore, you should look for signals and take appropriate action. Do not overtire the baby, and if he is yawning and rubbing his eyes, make him sleep

Follow a pre-sleep schedule

A pre-sleep schedule means creating a sleep-friendly environment that would signal the baby to sleep. You can use the best ayurvedic baby massage oil, read a book, give a bath before bed, or sing a lullaby to calm the baby and make him sleep well

Plan the sleep schedule for the entire day

Always plan the daytime naps and night sleep schedule so that the baby is not exhausted at the end of the day. A good nap during the day makes night sleeping a smoother process for child and parent.

Introduce self-soothing at an appropriate age

When your baby is 3-4 months old, he develops the ability to self-soothe and may not need external support each time. Therefore, you should attend to the baby’s cry immediately rather than wait for a few minutes before intervening

Be ready to adjust

Even if you try sticking to a fixed sleep schedule, children are unpredictable and may demand sleeping before or after the set time. Thus, do not panic and adjust to the baby’s needs accordingly

Recommendations on Setting Effective Sleep Patterns for Your Baby

In order to set an effective sleep routine, you need to plan and provide a supportive environment for your baby. Here are some steps you can take to let your baby become calm and sleep well:

Choose a calm room setup

Create a positive and soothing environment in the room so that the baby can sleep uninterrupted. You can use a comfy crib, white noise concept, and lullabies to send signals to baby’s brains to sleep.

Signals that baby is tired

As baby grows and becomes physically active, he gets tired readily and may show signs like fussiness, yawning, crying, and rubbing eyes. It would be best if you considered these and put the munchkin to sleep without delay.

Morning nap is crucial

Morning nap is very important until your child turns 2, and you should plan it to avoid any mistakes. Most tots doze off after massage and bath and sleep well since they feel relaxed.

Set your child’s day-night sleep cycle

Incorporate the day-night sleep cycle at an early age so that your kid understands that the day is for play and activities while the night is sleeping time. If you practice this well, eventually, the baby will adjust to the schedule well.

Do not wake the Child to feed after 2 Months

Once your baby is two months old, you need not wake the munchkin for feeding. Your baby will ask for the feed whenever he feels hungry so you can sleep well and respond when required.

Use the best ayurvedic baby massage oil

Massaging is known to work wonders for ages, and if you use an effective oil like BabyOrgano soothing massage oil, you are assured of amazing results. The oil is made of ayurvedic herb oils, which nourish the skin and relax muscles, leading to better sleep.

Share the responsibility

Do not overburden yourself with all the baby-care tasks; instead, share the responsibility with your partner and other family members. This will keep you going, minus the frustration.

When should I see my doctor?

If you are not able to achieve a sleep schedule despite constant efforts, do not hesitate to connect with a paediatrician and discuss all the issues you are facing to get relevant solutions.

Key Takeaways

The advantages of sleep quality in children are observed years later. However, kids who regularly followed precise bedtime routines when they were young have grown better and healthier.

So, setting a sleep routine allows your child to grow and develop well; therefore, you should put in your best effort and stay patient. A baby who sleeps well stays happy and active with fewer incidents of illness, which is the ultimate aim of every parent.