Infants sleep a lot – usually between 16 and 17 hours a day. They also wake frequently, sleeping only around two to four hours at a time. It’s important to find ways to help your baby sleep so that you can get some rest too. Here are a few techniques decades of parents have found …
Preparing for your baby: Crib safety
When you are expecting a baby, it’s an exciting time. There are lots of things to think about – including where your child will sleep. Will they have their own room? Will they share a room with a sibling? Will they sleep in your room for a time? Regardless of their surroundings, it’s important that …
4 common questions parents ask about newborns’ sleep habits
Anyone who has spent time around infants knows this: They rarely sleep through the night. Babies have shorter sleep cycles than adults, and they fall asleep as easily during the day as at nighttime. If you’re curious about what to expect when your baby arrives or you’re not sure if your newborn’s sleep habits are …
The No. 1 thing you can do to reduce your infant’s risk of SIDS
The possibility of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the scariest things a parent can face. SIDS usually occurs during sleep, and experts aren’t exactly sure what causes it. Fortunately, they have been able to identify risk factors, meaning you can do more than just keep your fingers crossed. The best way to …
Why your baby shouldn’t sleep in a car seat
Babies sleep safest flat on their backs, in a crib or other safe sleep surface with a tightly fitted sheet. Car seats, strollers and swings all place babies in an upright position which, similar to sleeping on their tummies, puts them at risk for suffocation. This illustration from the National Institute of Child Health and …
3 easy ways to soothe your baby
Babies cry – all of them, and some more than others. It’s their way of communicating with us, whether they’re hungry, or tired, over-stimulated, in pain or simply unhappy. When it comes to calming your baby, start by checking off the typical culprits: Hunger, dirty diaper, fever, too hot or too cold. If your …
3 signs a crib isn’t safe
Since 2011, the federal government has required crib manufacturers to follow strict guidelines, making newer cribs safer for your infant. However, there may be occasions when a new crib is not available, such as when you are away from home, or you may prefer to use a secondhand crib. Be sure to check a used …
4 tips for helping your baby sleep better
It’s important to realize that every baby is different – and that includes sleep habits. From how fast they fall asleep to how long they sleep, babies often have minds of their own. But there are some easy things you can do to help promote better – and safer – sleep for your infant. No. …
How to safely swaddle
Swaddling is a way of snuggly wrapping an infant in a blanket. Although special swaddling blankets are available, a basic receiving blanket will also work. Newborns love to be swaddled because the warmth resembles their mother’s womb. When done correctly, swaddling can be a great way to calm infants and promote sleep. Babies can be …
Q: When will my baby start sleeping through the night?
Newborns sleep approximately two to four hours at a time and will start to sleep for longer periods around four to six months old. However, they probably won’t start sleeping through the night until after the six-month mark. All babies are different, so your baby’s sleeping habits may develop at a faster or slower pace. …