Sleep SOS

Help! My baby takes a long time to get to sleep in the evening.
 

Try… gradually winding down and following the same routine every evening. 
As your baby becomes more active, and is more physically busy during the day, they may need some time to ease into bedtime. Shifting from stimulating activities to a quiet, relaxing routine may signal that sleep time is not far away. Take a look at 13 tips for sweet dreams below for ideas of what to do before lights out. Choose the relaxing activities you both enjoy, and try to do them in the same order every evening so your little one knows what to expect next, and that it’s leading up to sleep. A consistent newborn sleep routine prior to bedtime will hopefully improve their sleep (earlier bedtimes, reduced night wakings, and increased duration of sleep). 

Help! My baby fed about an hour ago, fell asleep and is now awake again.
Try… not immediately picking them up from their cot. Wait to see if they’ll resettle themself.
Take a moment to try to identify your baby’s cry. If they need a nappy change, attend to them, then put them back down quickly, and give them a chance to settle themself back to sleep. If you can, try not to play with your little one or turn on the lights. Keep things calm and, if you have to speak, whisper softly to signal that it’s still sleeping time. Doing this will help your little one get themself back to sleep so you can get some more rest too. Practicing these habits when your baby is young may set the stage for preventing sleep issues later. If you are just starting now, it may take a while for them to learn this technique, and it will be worth it in the long run, so have patience and stick to it. 

Help! My baby only falls asleep while feeding or snuggling with me.
Try… putting them down in their cot when they’re drowsy but not asleep. 
If your baby has gotten into the habit of falling asleep during a feed or a cuddle, they may find it hard to fall asleep on their own. Perseverance is key here. Follow a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine, then put them down when they’re tired but not fast asleep. Run through a mental checklist that their nappy is changed, the room temperature is comfortable, and your little one is not showing signs of hunger. Quietly leave the room and wait to see if they drift off to sleep without you. If your little one continues to fuss, wait for a moment before going in to check if they need something. You may have to do this several times in the early stages, with the result that soon you’ll both be sleeping better.

Help! I don’t know how much sleep my little one should be getting during the day.
Try… putting them down for two naps at around the same time every day. 
Babies between six and eight months of age typically sleep for up to 15 hours in a 24-hour period. On average, this means two naps of up to two hours each day, and around nine to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. If your baby is getting fewer than 12 hours of sleep in 24 hours, think about how you can add to, or change, your baby’s sleep routine. Babies tend to like predictability, so try putting them down for a daytime nap in their own cot, if possible, with the lights turned low.