Newborn sleep is one of the most pressing topics for new parents. Questions arise every day:

• How much should a child sleep at 1, 3, 6 months?
• Why does the baby not sleep at night?
• How to organise a baby's sleeping routine?
• What is the best thing for a newborn to sleep in?

And most importantly, how can a mum manage to have a good night's rest with her baby?

Why is sleep so important for a baby and a mother?

A baby needs a lot of attention and care. But a mother is also a person who needs basic things: sleep, food, and rest. If a mother "gives" herself all the time, her resources are depleted.
To remain attentive, calm and caring, a mother must have time to regain her strength - and sleep is key to this.

Sleep phases in newborns

There are two phases of sleep in children under one year of age:

• active phase (analogous to REM sleep in adults)
• resting phase (analogous to slow deep sleep)

The transition between these phases lasts approximately 20 minutes. It is important to take this into account when you move your baby after falling asleep.

Signs of deep sleep:

• unclenched fists
• even breathing
• no lip movement or facial expressions

If your baby falls asleep in your arms, wait for a calm phase before transferring him or her to a cot or pram.

Sleep rates for babies by age

0-3 months

• 16-20 hours of sleep per day
• the child wakes up often, even when not hungry
• getting used to the new world, the need for contact with the mother
• helps: carrying, co-sleeping, white noise, darkened room, optimal temperature (up to 24°C) and humidity (50-55%)

During this period, it is impossible to "spoil" the baby - touch and closeness are the basis of his sense of security.

4-6 months

• 14-15 hours of sleep per day
• three daytime naps are preserved, including a short evening nap
• the child often falls asleep late, and it can take a long time to get to bed

At this age, it is important to observe the child's rhythms and not try to "fit in" with the schedule. Signs of fatigue: rubbing the eyes, decreased activity, crying.

6-9 months

• about 14.5 hours of sleep
• two daytime dreams
• flexibility: the first sleep - on the street, the second - at home, the night sleep - after the ritual

If a child can fall asleep in different situations, it will make life easier for the whole family. It's not just mum who puts the baby to bed - involve dad as well: it's time for mum to take care of herself.

9-12 months

• transition to one daytime nap (about 2 hours)
• falling asleep may become more difficult
• The total amount of sleep decreases, but the need for rituals increases

At this age, rituals help: reading together, singing, cuddling before bedtime.

When does a baby start sleeping through the night?

One of the most common questions among mothers is when does a newborn sleep through the night? Physiologically, a baby can sleep through the night at the age of six months, but physically, this is far from the case. Waking up at night is associated with frequent changes in rhythms between sleep phases and the fact that babies still have difficulty overcoming the transition between these phases.

Another factor in why a child wakes up at night is the biological rhythm associated with feeding. Some children have feedings at 12am and then at 4am, while others have feedings at 2am. Here you need to wait until the baby grows up and his rhythm changes.

What is the best thing for a baby to sleep in?

For a comfortable sleep, a baby needs to be properly dressed. Mothers often ask: "what is the best thing for a newborn to sleep in?", because it is important for the baby to be warm and comfortable.

Clothes:

• should be made of natural fabrics;
• do not interfere with blood circulation;
• do not cause allergic reactions;
• Do not restrict movement.

There are no special restrictions on clothing models, so it is up to the mother to choose what the child should sleep in until the age of one. It can be slips, bodysuits, sliders, etc. If the room is cool, the child should be covered with a blanket or a plaid.