Sleep characteristics of babies from 3-6 months

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Dang Thi Ngoc Chuong - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatal Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Newborns sleep a lot in the first few weeks, often up to 16 to 17 hours a day. Baby naps every 2-4 hours. Sleeping too little or too much compared to the standard timetable are both worrying signs.

1. Fixed sleep schedule for baby

Between 3 and 6 months, your baby's circadian rhythm is more clearly established. Also known as the sleep and wake cycle, the circadian rhythm is a 24-hour clock inside the body that cycles at regular intervals between sleepiness and alertness. A fixed sleep schedule will support the natural circadian cycle and encourage good sleep habits.
Most sleeping babies sleep longer by 3 - 4 months of age. However, no two babies follow the same sleep patterns, the following chart is only a suggested guide to help you plan a bedtime for your 4-6 month old baby:
Note:
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents at night, but in a crib separately rather than sharing a bed, for at least the first 6 months and ideally until 1 year of age.

2. Sleep all night and wake up in the middle of the night

2.1 When can baby sleep through the night? In general, most 6-month-old babies can sleep through the night. Between 3 and 6 months of age, most babies begin to sleep longer at night, which can last up to about 10 hours. This means he went to bed at 8pm and woke up at 4am. This is considered sleeping all night.
Many babies between 4 and 6 months still wake up more than 1-2 times at night to feed. But by 6 months or maybe earlier, your baby is completely capable of weaning at night if you want.
2.2 Why doesn't baby sleep through the night anymore? Some babies sleep through the night or have a long sleep for weeks or months, then start waking up more often in the middle of the night. So don't be surprised if your child suddenly wakes up after a few hours of sleep.
This condition is quite common and happens for different reasons, such as:
Baby's sleep is developing Baby is becoming more and more aware of what's going on around Baby wakes up crying for mom Your baby is working hard on mastering new skills, like flipping or sitting. If your child suddenly wakes up more at night, make sure he's not sick. Certain conditions like ear infections or reflux can keep your baby from sleeping well.
When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, maintain a normal bedtime routine. If your baby still can't sleep well after a few weeks, consider some sleep training techniques.

3. How to help children get enough sleep

3.1 Set a fixed nap time and night Following a sleep schedule will help your baby adjust to sleep and get enough sleep time.
You can let your baby nap at specific times, such as 9 a.m., 12 p.m and 3 p.m. Or you can lay your baby down for about 2 hours of playtime, making sure he has enough opportunities to fall asleep. Some children will naturally fall asleep at 6pm every day, others stay awake and awake until 8pm or later. A fussy baby and refusing to sleep at night can be a sign of fatigue and not getting enough sleep. If your baby has trouble sleeping, day or night, try putting her in the crib earlier. Being too tired can make it difficult for a child to settle down and not sleep well. You can also try training your baby to fall asleep on his own. 3.2 Start a bedtime routine If you've never created a bedtime routine for your baby, now is a good time to start. You can choose whatever activities work for your family, as long as they follow the same sequence at the same time each night.
Some suggestions for bedtime routines for your baby include:
Breastfeed or bottle feed Baby Read 1 - 2 bedtime stories Sing a lullaby or listen to music Give your baby a goodnight kiss good night. 3.3 Wake up your baby every morning to set the baby's biological clock Some parents like to let their baby wake up naturally in the morning. If you are too, it's still a good idea to wake your baby up if he suddenly falls asleep later than usual.
Other parents like to wake their children up at the same time every morning. Overall, this method can help predict your baby's sleep schedule, as well as help your baby's biological clock work better.

4. How to train your baby to sleep on their own

You can help your baby go to sleep on his own by putting him in his crib when he's drowsy but still awake. This is easy to make your baby cry, but if overcome, she can go back to sleep on her own after waking up in the middle of the night.
If you hear your baby waking up at night, wait a few minutes before coming to comfort or feed your baby. This is a great way to give your child an opportunity to reassure himself.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : including leading experts with high professional qualifications Comprehensive services : In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a chain of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... International standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to help treat difficult diseases in Pediatrics effectively. Professional care: Vinmec also pays special attention to the treatment space, creating a comfortable play space for children to help improve the efficiency of medical examination and treatment. For more information, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide.

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Reference source: babycenter.com