Babies and sleep

New parents spend a lot of time worrying about their little one’s sleep. How do I get my baby to sleep? When will they start sleeping through the night? Are they getting enough sleep? As we’re about to see, the answers to these questions vary—every child is unique!

Infant sleep from 0 to 3 months

Newborns sleep according to their needs, which is rarely at convenient times for their parents. At this stage, a baby’s internal clock—the biological mechanism that controls their sleep-wake cycle—is still developing, so they don’t yet have a sense of day versus night.

Newborns usually sleep for 2 to 4 hours at a time (closer to 2 hours if they’re breastfed). Some infants sleep more often, waking up mainly to nurse, while others naturally spend most of their time awake. These tendencies depend on their temperament.

If your baby is healthy, there’s no need to wake them for feedings. However, if they have a specific health problem or medical condition, it’s important to follow your health care provider’s recommendations.

What’s the best sleeping position for a baby?

The only recommended sleeping position for infants is on their backs. Back sleeping helps prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

By the time a child is able to roll onto their belly on their own (usually around the age of 6 months), the risk of SIDS is much lower, so it isn’t necessary to force them to sleep on their back. However, you should continue putting your little one to sleep on their back until age 1.

How many hours of sleep does a baby need during the first 3 months?

In general, newborns sleep anywhere from 14 to 18 hours per day. From the age of 1 to 3 months, they sleep about 14 to 17 hours a day and can stay awake for 2 to 3 hours at a time. At this age, they tend to stay awake longer in the evening, between 5 and 10 p.m.

Helping your baby learn the difference between day and night

Some parents notice that their baby sleeps just as much during the day as they do at night, and sometimes even more in the daytime. This is perfectly normal, since it takes 8 to 10 weeks for a newborn to begin distinguishing the two. Once they do, they’ll start to nurse more during the day and less at night.

You can help your baby gradually learn the difference between day and night in small ways:

• Keep quiet during nighttime feedings. Avoid turning on too many lights, try not to talk, and be extra gentle if you need to change their diaper.
• Go for walks with them during the day. When they’re napping, leave the curtains open, and don’t be afraid to make a little noise. You can also have your baby sleep in a different spot than at night, such as in a little cradle or a portable bed.

When will your baby sleep through the night?

To go 5 or 6 hours in a row without nursing, your baby needs to be able to store up energy. They also need to develop their internal clock so they can regulate their body temperature, cardiovascular system, and hormone cycles. All of this takes time.

Where sleep is concerned, every newborn develops at their own pace, just as they’ll learn to crawl and walk when they’re ready. A parent’s role is simply to help their baby along.

The main thing is to have realistic expectations and not to compare your little one to anyone else’s. No two babies will learn to sleep at the same rate. For example, at the age of 2 months (8 weeks), only 25 percent of babies sleep at least 5 or 6 hours straight between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. At 4 months, the average increases to 75 percent, and by 10 months, it reaches 90 percent.

It’s also normal for a baby who had begun sleeping for several hours straight every night to go back to waking up at frequent intervals. Learning to sleep is not a linear process, but one that can include a few detours. For example, during growth spurts (around the ages of 1 to 3 weeks, 6 to 8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months), it’s normal for babies to want to nurse more often at night for 2 or 3 nights in a row.

Creating a sleep-friendly environment

There are a number of things you can do to improve your baby’s sleep even while they’re still an infant. Here are some suggestions:

• Check that your baby’s diaper is clean, that their room is a comfortable temperature (ideally 20°C–21°C, or 68°F–70°F), that there’s no loud background noise, that they’re not over- or underdressed, and that they aren’t exposed to any type of secondhand smoke (cigarettes, etc.).

• Swaddle your baby in a light blanket to remind them of being in the womb. Swaddling can be particularly helpful to babies who sleep poorly or wake up often. When you swaddle your baby, you can place them in an arms-up position so they can touch their face or bring their hands to their mouth. Over time, this self-soothing behaviour promotes independent sleep. For more information, read our fact sheet on swaddling.
• Let your baby sleep in a cradle or bassinet for the first few weeks if possible. Many infants don’t like being in large spaces, like their crib. If you don’t have a cradle or bassinet, lay your baby crosswise at one end of their crib. They’ll feel more secure having the edges of the crib at their head, feet, and side.
• Keep quiet during nighttime feedings. This will help your baby fall back asleep more quickly.
• Make sure your baby sleeps in a safe position. For example:
  - Always lay them on their back to prevent sudden infant death syndrome
  - Give them a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly into the crib frame
  - Don’t put any pillows, stuffed animals, comforters, bumper pads, thick blankets, or other soft objects in the crib, as these can be choking hazards
  To learn more about safety during sleep, consult our fact sheet on this topic (French only).

Infant sleep from 3 to 6 months

At this age, babies generally weigh at least 5 kg (11 lb.) and have enough energy reserves to wait longer between feedings. It’s entirely normal, however, for some 3-to-6-month-olds to still require feedings at night.

Babies also feel more secure by this stage and are able to self-soothe, such as by sucking their thumb between feedings. In addition, their internal clock is beginning to adjust to the 24-hour cycle.

During the day as well as in the evening, their periods of sleep and wakefulness are becoming more and more predictable. Between 4 and 8 or 9 months, most babies take three naps: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one at the end of the day.

Around 5 to 6 months, it gets easier to read the signs that your baby is tired (e.g., crying, yawning, rubbing their eyes, loss of interest in toys and people). They’re now ready both biologically and psychologically for a bedtime routine, which makes this the ideal time to introduce one.

How many hours of sleep does a baby need at 3 to 6 months?

Normally, between 4 and 11 months, babies sleep approximately 12 to 15 hours a day. They’re also beginning to sleep for longer periods at night—often 5-to-6-hour stretches from about the age of 3 months.

How to help your baby sleep soundly

There’s no right or wrong way to put your baby down to sleep. All that really matters is that you choose a method you’re comfortable with that suits your baby’s temperament. Here are a few tips:

• Now that your baby’s sleep schedule is more predictable, you can implement a bedtime routine. Every night, go through the same steps so that your little one starts to recognize when it’s time to get ready for bed (e.g., bath, bedtime story, massage, lullaby, cuddling). Pay attention to what they seem to prefer.

• After their routine, put your baby down before they’re fully asleep so they can gradually learn to fall asleep on their own. You can also rock, nurse, or bottle-feed your baby until they doze off. Just remember that if they wake up during the night, you’ll likely have to do the same thing to get them back to sleep.
• When your baby starts showing signs of fatigue, don’t wait too long to put them to bed. If they’re too tired, they may become agitated and have trouble falling asleep.
• If you’re breastfeeding and your baby is only sleeping for short periods at a time, try cutting caffeine (chocolate, coffee, etc.) from your diet for about 2 weeks to see if it helps their sleep. Caffeine is quickly transferred to breast milk and can cause difficulty sleeping in babies who are sensitive to it.
• If your baby doesn’t want to sleep on their back and is crying a lot, talk to their doctor to see if they have gastroesophageal reflux (in French).

Why babies wake up during the night

If your baby wakes up at night and cries for attention, it’s not necessarily because they’re hungry. They may be cold or too warm, or they may need a diaper change.

Switching between stages in their sleep cycle can also cause them to wake up. In this case, your baby just needs to feel your comforting presence. Try giving them a small stuffed animal (the size of your hand) that smells like you.

Even if your baby has started sleeping regularly and developed good sleep habits, they may start waking up again at night. This can occur for several reasons, including growth spurts (particularly around the age of 3 months), a major change in their routine (moving, travelling, etc.), or the need to feel your comforting presence.

Infant sleep from 6 to 12 months

It’s normal for babies at this age to wake up during the night. Your little one will gradually learn to go back to sleep on their own, something that tends to be easier if you usually put them down before they’re fully asleep.

Separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage that occurs around 8 months of age. During this time, your child will have a harder time being away from you. They’ll sometimes need to be comforted before bedtime or during the night; things as simple as the sound of your voice or a quick cuddle can do the trick. Over time, they’ll learn to fall back asleep on their own.

Some babies over 6 months old still want a nighttime feeding. To wean your child off this habit, provided you feel it’s the right time, you can start gradually giving them less milk or formula or reducing the length of their feedings.

How many hours of sleep does a baby need at 6 to 12 months?

Between 4 and 11 months, babies sleep approximately 12 to 15 hours a day, then 11 to 14 hours a day from the age of 12 months. Most sleep 10 to 12 hours per night. In addition, they usually nap twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, until they reach 18 months. Each nap lasts about an hour and a half.

How to help your baby sleep soundly

There’s no magic formula for teaching your baby to fall asleep on their own. It often just takes time. That said, before age 1, parents can aim to provide the right conditions for their child to develop greater sleep autonomy (e.g., the non-breastfeeding parent can take over baby’s routine after they nurse or when they wake up at night, and both parents can gradually become less hands-on in helping their child get to sleep).

• To fall asleep, your baby needs to feel secure. It’s good for them to be in a familiar environment that feels safe (e.g., keep the bedroom door ajar and a night light on) and to be surrounded by objects they recognize (e.g., their blankie and stuffed animals). A familiar routine (e.g., a bedtime story, cuddles, music) can also help them stay calm.

• If your baby wakes up during the night, it’s likely because they’re between sleep stages and trying to fall back asleep. Wait to see if they manage to do this on their own. If they can’t, go comfort them—for instance, by talking to them or stroking their skin. You should also check to see whether their diaper needs changing.
• To help your child gradually get used to falling asleep on their own, find strategies that align with your baby’s temperament and personality as well as your family’s values. The goal is to establish a routine where your baby is less and less dependent on you to fall asleep so that they can learn to do it without any help. For example, if your child is experiencing separation anxiety, you or your partner could sleep on a mattress next to their bed.

Even if your baby has a well-established routine, there are many factors related to their health and development that are likely to disrupt their sleep: growth spurts, separation anxiety, teething, illness, changes in routine, Mom’s return to work, etc. These little bumps in the road are bound to happen. Don’t get discouraged—once the disruption has passed, patiently resume your baby’s routine.

Things to keep in mind

• Every baby learns to sleep at their own pace. It’s normal for a baby who’s sleeping well to begin waking up again during the night.
• Around 5 to 6 months, babies start to develop a consistent sleep schedule. They’re now ready to adopt a sleep routine and gradually learn to fall asleep on their own.
• To fall asleep, a baby needs to feel secure. They may need to be soothed before bedtime or during the night, especially if they’re going through separation anxiety.
• Problems with falling asleep or waking up at night cannot be diagnosed before age 1.

Scientific review: Évelyne Touchette, Ph.D., professor/researcher and sleep expert Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: November 2022

Photos: GettyImages/jordi magrans and gpointstudio