Parent Corner:
Sleep Patterns--When should babies sleep through the night?
By Manolisa Cornel, MD
Pediatrics/Internal Medicine
Smokey Point Family Medicine
 Manolisa Cornel, MD Pediatrics/Internal Medicine Smokey Point Family Medicine |
While each child's sleep-wake patterns are always individual, sleep patterns usually follow a normal developmental pattern; the amount of sleep your baby needs changes as he grows.
Healthy, full-term newborns sleep 16 to 17 hours a day, fairly evenly spaced throughout the day and night. By three months, many (but not all) babies are able to sleep through the night (seven or eight hours without waking). Most infants are capable of this by four months. Your child should be able to fall asleep on her own by the age of six months. Otherwise, she will need your help to fall asleep at every wakening throughout the night.
Your baby may awaken briefly as part of his normal sleep cycle at all ages, but he should also be able to go back to sleep without your attention. If your baby is not able to fall back to sleep without holding, rocking, or feeding, you may need to help him learn self-calming and sleep-initiating skills.
If your baby does not start sleeping through the night by four months, you may need to give encouragement by keeping her awake longer in the afternoon and early evening. Play actively with her during this time so she will not be tempted to drift to sleep before bedtime. Also try increasing the amount of feedings before bed.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.