Tips to help a child sleep at night Newborns sleep a lot - typically 14 to 18 hours a day during the first week and 12 to 16 hours a day by the time they're a month old. But most children don't stay asleep for more than 2 to 4 hours at a time, day or night, during the first few weeks of life. At 6 to 8 weeks of age, most children begin to sleep for shorter periods during the day and longer periods at night, though most continue to wake up to feed during the night. Somewhere between 3 and 6 months, experts say, most children are capable of sleeping through the night (5 to 6 hours).
Here are some tips for helping your child settle down to sleep:
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Your child will know when she's tired, so go with the flow as much as possible, shifting towards a routine after a few weeks when you know what he wants.
A regular gentle wind-down from the day is important. Feeding, cuddling, rocking, and soothing music can help.
Newborns usually need to be almost asleep before being put down. He probably prefers to fall asleep in your arms, so putting his into bed alone may not feel right to her until he's a bit older.
It's easier to manage night wakes and feedings if your child sleeps in the same room as you.
It's easier for you if your child gets into the habit of sleeping with some noise or light, so don't be too quiet.
Don’t rush to pick your child up if she whimpers, as it may just be a passing murmur.
Don't worry too much about sleep yet. Many children do not learn to sleep through the night until they are at least 3 months old.