Breadcrumbs

Babies and Sleep: Your Essential Guide

Simple steps to encourage a more peaceful night’s rest:

All babies need to sleep so that they can grow and develop. But every baby’s sleep pattern is different – for every baby that sleeps through the night, there’s another that doesn’t. If your baby isn’t settling well, there are some simple steps you can take to help encourage a more peaceful night’s rest:

  • Keep lights low while feeding at night
  • Talk and sing in a soft voice – so baby starts to see a difference between day and night
  • Start a simple bedtime routine - bath, feed, bed
  • If you can always try to put your baby in his/ her cot (or Moses basket) so he/she associates it with bedtime.
  • Have 'wind down' time after any play

Safer sleeping for your baby:

Your baby can sleep safely if you follow some useful guidelines, based on reducing the risk of cot death, or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome):

  • Place your baby on her back to sleep
  • Place your baby in the 'feet to foot' position so there's less chance of her slipping down beneath the bedding
  • No-one should smoke in the same room as your baby
  • Do not use a duvet, quilt or pillow until your baby is over one year old
  • Keep your baby's head uncovered indoors (or whenever you go into warm places)
  • If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice straight away

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.

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