Being a new parent can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to understanding and managing your baby’s sleep patterns during their first year of life. However, the good news is research has shown a baby’s sleep tends to become more stable from 6 to 12 months of age.
When your baby reaches 6 months old, you may start to notice that they sleep for longer stretches at night. Evidence shows around 50 per cent of babies are now able to sleep at night for stretches of eight hours, which could be classified as sleeping through. This means that you’ll also get some much-needed rest! It isn’t that these babies don’t experience night wakings; on the contrary, it’s normal for infants of this age to awaken 3-4 times each night, but many babies have learned to fall back to sleep quietly on their own, so their parents aren’t even aware their infants have awakened.
Sleep cycles at night are now regularly around 90 minutes long and naps are more distinct in the day; with a 6-month-old baby usually still needing three naps a day. Sleep cycles in the day are now more consistently 45 minutes long.
As your baby grows, their daytime naps will continue to become more regular, making it easier for you to plan your day around their sleep schedule. It’s important to note that some developmental changes can cause disruptions to their sleep routine, which can be frustrating for both you and your little one.
By the time your baby is 9 months old, they may only need one morning and one afternoon nap. One tip to help with bedtime settling is to ensure your baby over the age of 9 months is awake from about 3.30 pm. This will give plenty of time for good levels of the sleep drive, adenosine, to build up before bedtime.
As your baby approaches their first birthday, they now have the capacity to sleep through the night. However, it’s important to remember that every baby is different, so it’s essential to be patient and understanding as you help your little one develop healthy sleep habits.
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