Everything you need to know about baby sleep

Guest blog by sleep expert Nathalie Schittekatte from @snugglesanddreams

When it comes to babies and sleep, it can feel like magic but with the right knowledge, it is really all about understanding what is normal and what helps. Whether you have just brought your newborn home or your baby is already a few months old, good sleep is essential for their growth, development, and for your own peace of mind. Sleep expert Nathalie Schittekatte shares her best tips to help your baby sleep soundly from that very first night right up to the first birthday.

Every baby is unique but sleep patterns develop quickly during the first year. Newborns typically sleep 14 to 17 hours a day broken up into short stretches of 2 to 4 hours day and night. As your baby grows, these stretches gradually become longer at night with fewer naps during the day.

Around 3 months, your baby will start to tell day from night more clearly. By 6 months many little ones are sleeping longer at night sometimes even through it and dropping down to 2 or 3 daytime naps. By 12 months babies usually sleep about 11 to 12 hours at night with a 1.5 to 2-hour nap in the afternoon.

Safety always comes first at every stage. A firm mattress with a breathable mattress protector helps prevent overheating and lets your baby breathe freely. Pair this with a soft swaddle bag in the early days for extra comfort and security.

Keep the room temperature between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius, darken the room at night, and let in gentle daylight during the day. This helps your baby learn their natural day-night rhythm.

Whether your baby is 2 weeks or 8 months old, recognizing tiredness cues remains essential. Yawning, rubbing their eyes, looking away, or becoming fussy are clear signs your little one is ready for sleep.

Try not to keep your baby awake for too long. Especially newborns can usually stay awake for only about an hour between sleep times. Being overtired actually makes it harder to fall asleep. That’s why it’s important to help your baby relax on time with a calming bedtime routine, such as singing a gentle lullaby, sharing a cuddle, and softly swaddling them in a high-quality swaddle bag that provides comfort and security. This helps your baby understand that it’s time to sleep and makes falling asleep easier.

Want to learn more?
If you’d like to dive deeper into recognizing sleep cues and learn how to help your baby sleep better, sleep expert Nathalie Schittekatte has written a detailed blog called “Recognising sleep cues: how to help your baby sleep better” that guides you step by step in building a healthy sleep routine.

Newborns thrive on predictability and older babies also benefit from consistent sleep rituals. Simple actions such as feeding soft talking putting on a sleep sack or playing gentle music provide clarity and help create a safe secure feeling.

Even though your baby’s sleep needs will change keeping a steady routine makes it easier to build good sleep habits. This means fewer tears and more calm for everyone.

Many parents swear by white noise as it helps babies settle faster and sleep more peacefully. The gentle steady sound covers sudden noises from home or outside and mimics the familiar sounds your baby heard in the womb.