After the birth, the baby may sleep for the most of the twenty-four hours for the first few weeks. If these infants stay awake even for an hour, they feel tired. Small babies usually require feedings at every 2 or 3 hours and so they may wake up three or four times for feeding during night.

Baby sleep at birth to 3 months is 14 to 18 hours during day in the first week. As they grow over a month, sleep time reduces to 12 to 16 hours. Generally new born babies sleep only 2 t 4 hours at a stretch and wake up repeatedly even during night.

Most of the time infants are in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Their brains keep developing rapidly and REM sleep is considered essential for this development. During REM sleep, babies are not deep asleep and often get disturbed.

The baby sleep basic during birth to 3 months changes slightly as the infant reaches 6 to 8 weeks. Generally they sleep for longer stretches of time during night. Many babies wake up for night feeds, but some sleep for longer periods even at 6 weeks. Around 6 to 8 weeks, the time of REM sleep is reduced and infants have more time of sound, non-REM sleep.

If good sleeping habits are established during infancy, the baby develops a routine of healthy peaceful sleep.

Signs of tiredness:

As small babies get tired after being awake for an hour or so, the babies till 8 weeks should not be kept awake for much longer. If the infants feel tired, they would find it difficult to fall asleep. So when the baby starts showing signs of tiredness like pulling his ear, rubbing eyes etc, he should be put down to sleep.

Some babies exhibit reverse sleep cycles and stay awake at night. So after two weeks, it is necessary to gently change their sleep pattern. During the daytime, the baby’s room should be kept bright; the household sounds of phone, TV etc should not be reduced.

Whenever he is awake during day, parents should play or interact with him. Al this could help him stay awake during day and sleep soundly at night. If baby stays awake at night, parents should not play or talk with him. With dim lights and low levels of sound, he should be encouraged to sleep.

Bedtime routine:

Even though the baby is very small at this stage, still the parents can begin some simple bedtime routine like changing the baby into nightclothes or humming a tune to the baby. This regular pattern would make the baby aware of the bedtime and he would find it easier to settle for the night.

Learning to fall asleep by himself:

Once the baby crosses 8 weeks, slowly he should be allowed to fall asleep on his own. If parents continue holding or rocking the baby till he is completely asleep, it forms a habit with the baby and later he may find it difficult to fall asleep by himself. So the baby should be put down when he is drowsy but not completely asleep.