Marisa Asks, â€å“how Can I Best Get My 8-month-old Baby to Sleep Well?ã¢â‚¬â Her Doctor Should Answer:

Healthy slumber for your babe and kid

Sleep is very important to your child'south wellness and well-being. In fact, skillful sleep habits get-go from birth.

Children who practise non get plenty sleep may have trouble functioning during the day. At dark, they may find it hard to settle.

How much slumber does my kid need?

Every kid is different. Some sleep a lot and others much less. This chart is a general guide to the amount of sleep children need over a 24-hr period, including nighttime sleep and daytime naps.

Infants (iv to 12 months old)	12-sixteen hours
Toddlers (one to 2 years old)	11-14 hours
Children (3 to 5 years old)	10-xiii hours
Children (6-12 years)	ix-12 hours
Teenagers (13-eighteen years old)	8-10 hours

Source: Recommended Corporeality of Slumber for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)

Babies (birth to iv months)

Newborns may sleep as much as 18 hours a solar day, for 3 to 4 hours at a fourth dimension. It's normal and healthy for babies to wake up during the night to feed. As your babe gets older, they volition stay awake longer during the 24-hour interval and sleep for longer stretches at night.

Babies, just like adults, need the right cues to learn when it is fourth dimension to sleep. For example, if you always put your infant in their crib to sleep, they will learn that this is the place where they sleep. This may not work right away, merely over time, your babe will come to understand.

Sometime subsequently iii months, your babe'southward sleep habits volition go more predictable and you lot tin expect a more than regular nap schedule. Trust your baby's cues – they he will let you know when they are tired. A slumber diary might help you to recognize their regular sleeping pattern.

A naptime routine is a good thought. It could include a quiet cuddle and short story in a darkened room earlier it'due south time to nap.

Healthy sleep habits for your baby:

• An overtired baby has more than problem sleeping. Napping actually helps a infant to sleep better at night, then keeping your baby awake during the mean solar day will non help your baby slumber longer at night.
• Put your baby in bed when they are drowsy, but awake. Remember to put them to sleep on their dorsum in their crib, or on a firm, flat surface. Keep soft items like pillows and stuffed animals out of the crib.
• Information technology's okay to caress and rock your baby. You cannot spoil a immature baby by holding them.
• A pacifier may comfort and help your baby to settle. However, information technology's best non to get-go using a pacifier until breastfeeding is going well.
• Your baby will stir during the dark. Give them a few minutes to try and settle on their ain before going to them.
• Avoid stimulation during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights dim.

Infants (four to 12 months)

At this age, babies slumber an boilerplate of 14 hours a day, but anything less or more than can be normal for your baby. By four months, nigh babies need three naps a day; one in the morning time, afternoon and early evening.

Between half dozen and 12 months, your infant will probably go from having 3 naps a day to 2 longer naps, in the morning and afternoon. Every baby'southward napping needs are different. Some nap for as little every bit 20 minutes at a fourth dimension, while others sleep for 3 or more hours.

Healthy sleep habits for your infant:

• Maintain a regular daytime and bedtime sleep schedule as much as possible.
• A consistent bedtime routine is important. Many parents similar to use the "3 Bs": bath, book, bed.
• Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle. This can lead to tooth disuse.
• At around 6 months, if your baby wakes at night and cries, go check to see if there is anything incorrect, such as being as well cold or too warm, but try non to take them out of the crib. Y'all can comfort them by stroking the forehead or talking softly to allow them know you're there. This helps your baby learn how to cocky-soothe, of import steps toward falling dorsum to sleep on their ain.

Toddlers (1 to 2 years)

Most toddlers sleep betwixt xi and fourteen hours in a 24-hour menstruation.

Salubrious sleep habits for your toddler:

• It's still important to keep a sleep schedule your child is familiar with. The routine y'all established during the first twelvemonth is even more of import for your toddler.
• Avoid naps that are too belatedly in the day, because at this historic period, they can affect nighttime sleeping.
• Help your child wind down about one-half an hour before bedtime with stories and repose activities.
• Be gentle simply firm if your kid protests.
• Keep the bedroom quiet, cozy, and good for sleeping, such as keeping the lights dim.
• Soft, soothing music might exist comforting.
• Security items (such every bit a blanket or stuffed brute) are often of import at this age.

Children (3 to 5 years)

Preschoolers typically sleep about x to thirteen hours a day. As your kid approaches 3 years old, they will probably exist on ane nap a mean solar day, just many will still have a second nap at some betoken in the day. Some days they may need a nap, while other days they may not. Some children requite up daytime naps altogether during this period. You can use that fourth dimension—often subsequently dejeuner—for quiet time for your child to read and relax.

At this age, it'southward common for children to have some sleep bug and to resist going to bed. They may also wake up during the dark from nighttime fears or nightmares.

Healthy sleep habits for your preschooler:

• Don't give your kid drinks with caffeine.
• Avoid screens before bedtime. Don't let tablets, televisions, calculator or video games in the bedroom.
• Some children volition try to delay bedtime. Prepare limits, such as how many books yous will read together, and be certain your kid knows what they are.
• Constrict your child into bed snugly for a feeling of security.
• Don't ignore bedtime fears. If your child has nightmares, reassure and comfort them.

What are some common sleep problems?

• Sleep deprivation: Some children don't become plenty sleep. If your child is fussy, cranky or has difficulty staying comatose at nighttime it might be because they aren't getting enough naptime or aren't getting to bed early enough.
• Separation problems: Your kid may have difficulty relaxing and going to sleep if they feel upset that you are not there. Effort an actress long cuddle earlier bedtime, a security object such every bit a blanket or stuffed animal, or leaving their door open when you put them to bed.
• Nightmares: Most children volition experience nightmares at one fourth dimension or some other. Nightmares tin can happen after a stressful physical or emotional event or can be caused by fever. Your child may call out to you for comfort. Talk calmly, caress and reassure your child.

When should I talk to my physician?

• Loud snoring: If your child regularly snores loudly, this tin can exist a sign of a problem.
• Sleepwalking: Sleepwalking is a disorder where a child is partly awake, simply not completely, during the nighttime. Your kid may sit upward in bed and repeat certain movements, such equally rubbing their optics. They may go out of bed and walk around the room. When y'all talk to your child, they unremarkably won't reply you lot. If your child sleepwalks it is important that you ensure the area is condom. Gently guide your child back to bed without waking them. If the problem continues, contact your doctor.
• Nighttime terrors: These are different from nightmares. Children with nighttime terrors scream uncontrollably, may breathe quickly, and seem to be awake. If y'all wake your kid, they will likely to be dislocated, and may take longer to settle downward and go dorsum to sleep. Night terrors usually happen between the ages of 4 and 12, but can happen to children as young as 18 months old. Most children volition outgrow them, but talk to your dr. if they persist.

What if my child regularly has trouble falling asleep?

Some children take trouble falling asleep on their own and can lay awake for long periods of time. This tin can be acquired by likewise much screen time before bed, or caffeine from soda and energy drinks.

• If your child is watching TV or playing video games for long periods of fourth dimension, effort limiting screen fourth dimension or cutting information technology out of the bedtime routine.
• Don't allow your child to drink or eat anything with caffeine.
• Endeavor doing relaxing activities before bed such equally reading, listening to calming music, or laying in bed with your child talking quietly about their day.

If these reasons aren't the cause, talk to your doctor about other ways to help your kid learn to fall asleep on their own.

Reviewed by the following CPS committees

• Customs Paediatrics Committee
• Public Education Informational Committee

Last updated: Dec 2017

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Source: https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/healthy_sleep_for_your_baby_and_child

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