Please look at this useful video for advice on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
It's recommended that babies up to 3 months get 14-17 hours of sleep per day (24 hour period). This includes daytime naps.
Younger infants up to 6 months tend to sleep on and off around the clock, waking every 1–3 hours to eat. As they near 4 months of age, sleep rhythms become more set. Most babies sleep 9–12 hours at night, usually with an interruption for feeding, and have 2–3 daytime naps lasting about 30 minutes to 2 hours each.
Is it normal for babies to wake at night?
Do babies and young children automatically fall into a good sleeping pattern?
What routines and habits promote good sleep
Newborns (0-3 months)
Newborns can be encouraged to sleep less during the day by exposing them to light and noise, and by playing more with them in the daytime. As evening approaches, the environment can be quieter and lighting dimmer with less activity.
Sleep tips for newborns:
All babies cry and it can be upsetting and frustrating. Not every baby is easy to calm but that doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. For tips on infant crying and how to cope see ICON and/or talk to your health visitor.
Safer sleep tips:
Click here for more information about safe sleep and co-sleeping advice
Daytime naps advice:
There's no single rule about how much daytime sleep kids need. It depends on their age, the child, and the sleep kids need. It depends on their age, the child and the sleep total during a 24-hour period. For example, one toddley may sleep 13 hours at night with only some daytime catnapping, while another gets 9 hours at night but takes a solid 2-hour nap each afternoon. If your child is napping 'on the go' (for example in the car) try to ensure that this is balanced by daytime sleep in their own bed at home so that they get good quality daytime sleep over the course of a week.
It's recommended that infants from 4 months - 1 year get 12-15 hours of sleep per day (24 hour period). This includes daytime naps.
Babies from 6-12 months usually have two naps a day, which may last 20 minutes for some babies and for others a few hours.
It may help to remember that all babies over 5 months of age wake 4-6 times during the night, as they come to the end of each sleep cycle. This is normal, and also occurs with older children and adults. It's the falling back to sleep that can be difficult.
No. All babies and children need to be supported to develop a good sleep routine and good sleeping habits. It is a process that will take time and can’t be achieved in a few days. This can be a struggle, especially when you are sleep deprived and feel constantly tired yourself. All babies are different and will start sleeping through at different times. There also needs to be a degree of flexibility around sleep routines.
What routines and habits promote good sleep?
As your baby grows their sleep habits will change, though starting to establish a bedtime routine early on can help support these changes. During the second half of the year, infants may experience separation anxiety, which may disrupt their sleep. Illness and increased motor development may also disrupt sleep.
Sleep Tips for Infants
There's no single rule about how much daytime sleep kids need. It depends on their age, the child, and the sleep total during a 24-hour period. For example, one toddler may sleep 13 hours at night with only some daytime catnapping, while another gets 9 hours at night but takes a solid 2-hour nap each afternoon. If your child is napping 'on the go' (for example in the car) try to ensure that this is balanced by daytime sleep in their own bed at home so that they get good quality daytime sleep over the course of a week.
Example of a good bedtime routine:
Every baby and child is different and you can adapt the following bedtime routine to meet your baby’s/child’s needs. Babies may require a shorter bedtime routine. You will wish to offer your baby a 'top-up' feed as part of the routine.
Start the 'journey to bed' an hour before bedtime using signals such as end of a favourite game.
6.00pm: Bath time – bathing and brushing teeth
6.15pm: Change into bedtime clothes
6.30pm: Story time. If they are not interested in stories to begin with you could try gentle songs/nursery rhymes. Story time can be extended as a child gets older.
6.45pm: Settle into bed, cuddle time, and goodnight. Some parents find it helpful to sing the same nursery rhyme/song every night as a signal that it’s time to go to sleep.
Avoid return to daytime activities (e.g. not returning downstairs after their bath).
Transitional objects (soft toys) are helpful to many young children as part of positive sleep association.
Example of a 'sleep friendly' environment:
The safest place to sleep is in a cot or cot bed with all sides up.
Babies should sleep on a firm and flat mattress, and the sleeping area should be clear of toys, cot bumpers and duvets; at home and when staying with family and friends.
Place baby to sleep on their back for every sleep, with face and head clear of blankets and other soft items.
Babies need to be a comfortable temperature. A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag– is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.
Ideally lights off, or at least dimmed. LEDs emit much more blue light than white bulbs and therefore have a greater impact on quality sleep, so ensure these are switched off.
There does not need to be silence, and it can be helpful for your baby to get used to some noise, though noise needs to be at a level that it does not disrupt sleep.
A smoke free environment is safest for babies and children.
My child is tired, so why won’t they sleep?
If a child is happy, comfortable, and tired, problems falling asleep are likely to be behavioural (such as bedtime resistance) or environmental (such as noise).
I’ve tried all of the above and my baby is still waking frequently!
It's recommended that toddlers aged 1-2 years get 11-14 hours of sleep per day (24 hour period). This includes daytime naps.
Young toddlers might still be taking two naps, but over time this will reduce to one nap of 1-3 hours. Naps should not be too close to bedtime, as they may make it harder for toddlers to fall asleep at night.
Fortunately, there are many practical ways to develop and improve your child’s sleeping routine and habits. Tips for toddlers are below.
Toddlers need about 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. When they reach about 18 months of age their naptimes will decrease to once a day lasting about one to three hours. Naps should not occur too close to bedtime as they may delay sleep at night.
Many toddlers experience sleep problems including resisting going to bed and night-time awakenings. Night-time fears and nightmares are also common.
Many factors can lead to sleep problems. Toddlers' drive for independence and an increase in their motor, cognitive and social abilities can interfere with sleep. In addition, their ability to get out of bed, separation anxiety, the need for autonomy and the development of the child's imagination can lead to sleep problems. Daytime sleepiness and behaviour problems may signal poor sleep or a sleep problem.
Sleep Tips for Toddlers:
See the safer sleep tips on the newborn sleep advice section above.
Some babies take longer than others to respond to a routine and settle into good sleep habits. Look after yourself. Almost all adults find interrupted sleep makes them feel tired and irritable, and relationships can suffer. For further advice see the useful resources section.
It's recommended that pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years get 10-13 hours of sleep per day (24 hour period). This includes any daytime naps.
Some pre-schools require an afternoon nap, though you should be working towards your child dropping a regular afternoon nap before they start school.
Sleep and Pre-schoolers (3-5 years)
Pre-schoolers typically sleep 10-13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night are common. With further development of imagination, pre-schoolers commonly experience night-time fears and nightmares. In addition, sleepwalking and sleep terrors peak during preschool years.
Sleep Tips for Pre-schoolers:
Some babies take longer than others to respond to a routine and settle into good sleep habits. Look after yourself. Almost all adults find interrupted sleep makes them feel tired and irritable, and relationships can suffer. For further advice see the useful resources section below.
It's recommended that children aged 3-5 years old get 10-13 hours sleep a night and children aged 6-13 years old get 9-11 hours.
However, some children might have less need for sleep and be able to get away with less, whilst others may need more — sleep needs vary between children, just like height, so we can’t expect all children to have the same needs.
Fortunately, there are many practical ways to develop and improve your child’s sleeping routine and habits.
How do I encourage my child to stick to a sleep routine and good sleep habits?
Ideally, you want to reach a point where, as your child gets older, they take responsibility for their sleep routine and habits. If they can be encouraged to do this before they reach secondary school, it will help to inform a good sleep routine and habits as teenagers. Key to encouraging children to take some responsibility for their sleep – rather than something that they need to do battle with parents over - is explaining to them why sleep is important for their health and wellbeing. A book has been created by the Southampton Children's Hospital to help young children understand why sleep is important. You can find it here. An animation is also coming soon to help encourage children to get a good night's sleep.
Is there a link between screen use and poor sleep?
The scientific evidence base agrees that use of screens before going to bed is detrimental to sleep for people of any age. Using screens sends a signal to your brain that you should still be awake, and use of social media for example, can cause anxiety or an increased state of awareness at a time when you want your/child’s brain to be in calm mode.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health recommend that children avoid looking at screens such as phones, tablets or computers in the hour before bed to reduce disruption to their sleep. They've developed guidelines for clinicians and parents on the health impacts of screen time. View it by clicking here.
Good example of a bedtime routine for a primary-school aged child:
Start the 'journey to bed' an hour before bedtime using signals such as end of a favourite game or TV programme. Have a 'screen curfew' in the hour before bed.
A typical good routine involves a bath or shower then quiet time in bedroom with parent before settling into bed and lights out.
Encourage story time for as long as the child will allow as this is great bonding time for children and parents.
Avoid return to daytime activities (e.g. not returning downstairs after bath or shower).
Use of a bedtime pass can limit delay tactics: one or two passes can be exchanged for reasonable requests after lights out (such as a trip to the toilet or kiss goodnight)
Transitional objects (soft toys) are helpful to many young children as part of a positive sleep association.
Anxious children can write down worries in a diary or post them in a 'worry box' before the bedtime routine starts.
Good example of a 'sleep friendly' environment:
A room temperature of 16-20°C.
A 'screen free' (including mobile phones, tablets and computers) bedroom as both the light they emit and the content of screen based activities stimulate the brain to keep awake.
Lights off. LEDs emit much more blue light than white bulbs and therefore have a greater impact on quality sleep, so ensure these are switched off. If some light is needed for comfort use a night-light with a red/orange light.
here does not need to be silence, and it can be helpful for your children to get used to some noise, though noise needs to be at a level that it does not disrupt sleep.
A smoke free environment is safest for children.
Having a baby or child who doesn’t sleep well can be difficult. Below are some tips on coping and some resources that have further information and advice that might help you.
Helping parents to cope
Encouraging and maintaining good sleep routines and habits for children can be tough for parents who are themselves tired at the end of the day. Things may get worse before they get better, as with any change.
Source
Resource
Link to resource
Resources for parents with babies and young children
NHS
Sleep tips for parents of young children
www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/healthy-s...
Lullaby Trust
Advice on safe sleep for babies and infants
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/
Paediatric Sleep Council. Baby Sleep
Developed for parents by sleep academics, with advice on a wide range of sleep problems for 0-3 year olds.
https://www.babysleep.com/
The Children’s Sleep Charity
Offers advice to anyone whose child is not sleeping well.
www.thechildrenssleepcharity.org.uk or call them on 01302 751 416.
Contact a Family
Provides information, particularly for children with disabilities.
www.cafamily.org.uk
Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
ICON Infant crying and how to cope leaflet for parents
https://www.hampshiresafeguardingchildrenboard.org...
Bath, Book, Bed routine from the Book Trust
Advice on how to establish a bath, book and bed routine
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/tip...
Southampton Children's Hospital
What is the point of sleep? Story book for young children
Resources for parents with children (including teenagers)
Sleep tips for teenagers
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/s...
Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Sleep problems in childhood and adolescence: for parents, carers and anyone who works with young people. Includes information about anxious children.
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/parentsandyouthinfo...
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The health impacts of screen time: a guide for clinicians and parents
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2018-1...
Raising Children Network (Australia)
Age-specific advice for parents on behavioural insomnia, sleepwalking, and sleep terrors
http://raisingchildren.net.au/
ERIC
How to stop or manage bedwetting
https://www.eric.org.uk/Pages/Category/bedwetting