Most parents would like to resolve their baby or toddler sleep or feeding problems once and for all! But it can be hard to know where to start…
It is important to know that you are not alone, and it’s exciting to see you are looking for answers.
The key is to have a recipe for success and for you to follow the steps.
3 Key Ingredients towards Better Baby and Toddler Sleep
- QUANTITY
Obviously, the amount of sleep your baby or toddler gets on a daily basis is critical to their overall growth, and development. I want to let you in on a little secret, every child is unique but we all need sleep.
Here’s a guide of how much:
- Newborn to 4 weeks old: 16 – 19 hours/day. One hour awake time including a feed. 3-5 day naps 2-3 hour duration.
- 4 to 12 weeks old: 16 – 18 hours/day. Awake time increases to 1 – 1 ½ hours. 3 – 4 day naps 1-3 hour duration.
- 3 to 4 month old: 10 – 12 hour block of sleep overnight with 0 – 2 feeds overnight. 3 day sleeps 1.5- 3 hours duration “time in bed”.
- 4 to 8 month old: 10 – 12 hours over night with 0 – 1 feed. 2 – 3 day naps 1 ½ – 3 hour duration.
- 8 to 10 month old: 10 – 12 hours over night, often drop to 2 day sleeps 1 ½ – 2 hours duration.
- 10 to 14 months: 11 – 12 hours overnight, 1 – 2 day sleeps-although they might drop to one day sleep that is 2 – 3 hours in duration.
2. QUALITY
This means deep and restorative sleep, that is age appropriate.
On the go sleep, for instance tends to be lower in quality than sleep that happens on a flat, non-moving cot or bassinet.
This can be unavoidable. It is common for families with 2 or more children to be on the go multiple times a day.
Unfortunately, a nap taken in the backseat of the car, a moving pram or shopping trolley, will have an element of feedback/stimulation between sleep cycles and can be less productive.
A solid night-time sleep is the most likely to restore the vital energy needed for growth and development for your little one but remember day naps-are just as important!
You might be interested to know that it often works best to fix day naps before resolving repetitive night wakes. Fixing day sleeps flows nicely into fixing unwanted call outs at night.
Correcting day and night sleep is a balancing act. One that can be more easily altered by a professional who has been studying what helps and hinders sleep. We would love to help your little one/s get the sleep they need, so your whole family can be well rested and refreshed to start each day.
3. CONSISTENCY
Many parents forget the value in being consistent. Creating structure and routine with flexibility is paramount.
It’s important to understand babies and toddlers thrive on routine and structure, as they love knowing what comes next. It also develops confidence in parenting, as you can plan your days and/or weeks.
According to October 2013 study published in the journal of Pediatrics, There is evidence to show toddlers who have irregular bedtimes and are going to bed late have more behavioural problems than those who have a regular age appropriate bedtime routine.
We understand that, normal everyday requirements will create change from day to day, and then there is the curve balls life can throw at us. But we are going to suggest you have a routine, to promote better day and night sleep.
Create the book ends of routine by starting and ending your day at consistent times (allow a level of flexibility for the odd occasion).
In summary, we all want good quality, age appropriate sleep consistently. Let us help!
Written by: Endorsed Midwife & Parenting Educator Alison Gregory
Photo by Michal Bar Haim on Unsplash