Children need a good night's sleep to have energy for the next day. It is also good for their health and reduces their risk of obesity.
Sleeping through the night
Newborn babies cannot sleep through the night. Babies aged 3 to 6 months may sleep more at night and have longer wake periods during the day.
They usually only start to sleep through the night when they are fully established on solid foods.
Some babies sleep through the night from about 3 months but do not expect this.
Daytime routine
Have a good daytime routine.
For example:
- go outdoors early in the day
- have regular mealtimes
- keep active
These good habits are particularly helpful for older babies, toddlers and young children.
Helping your children to be active
Bedtime routine
Help your child to sleep through the night by developing good sleep practices.
Do
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have a good bedtime routine from 3 months of age
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have a quiet and dark room for your child to sleep in
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place your child to sleep in their own cot or bed
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put them into bed when they are awake - if they wake up where they fell asleep, they are more likely to go to sleep again quickly
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put babies aged 3 months and older into their cot drowsy but awake - toddlers do not need to be drowsy going to bed
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avoid using things that may distract your baby, such as music, mobiles or light-up toys - these can stop them falling asleep
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do not use sleep associations that involve physical contact with a parent from 6 months of age, such as back rubbing
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try to prevent sleep associations developing from around 6 months - these include back rubbing or rocking
Bedtime routines for babies and young children
Sleep associations
Sleep associations happen when your child learns to fall asleep with help. For example, by bottlefeeding or being held to go to sleep. Your child may start to rely on these sleep associations.
Sleep associations usually develop between 6 and 12 months of age.
Comfort toys
They might bring a favourite toy or blanket with them as they settle to sleep. You can do this from 12 months old. Make sure the toy or blanket is clean and not a danger to them while they're sleeping.
Comfort toys can help your child to self-soothe. For example, blankets or teddies. They are unlikely to disturb their sleep.
Learning to self-soothe can help your child to cope with more challenging situations as they grow.
Parent sleep associations
Some sleep associations involve parents. This could be needing to be rocked to sleep or having a parent in the room as they go to sleep.
The association can become something they need every time they go to bed or wake up in the night.
Some parents may be happy to do this. Others may find the disruption to their sleep very difficult.
To avoid waking up during the night, your child needs to learn to fall asleep in their cot or bed without a parent there.
The gradual retreat approach can help if your child is 6 months or older. It helps your child to be comfortable falling asleep without a parent there.
Gradual retreat approach to help your child fall asleep on their own
Night feeds and sleep
Babies aged 3 to 6 months may still need to feed during the night. They may fall asleep during the feed.
If possible, try to avoid your baby falling asleep while feeding. Otherwise they may associate sleep with feeding. They may need a feed to go back to sleep if they wake during the night.
From about 6 months, you will begin introducing solid foods. When your baby is fully established on solid foods, they get all the food they need during the day. Babies are usually fully established by 6 to 9 months of age.
Starting your baby on solid foods (weaning)
Phasing out night feeds
You begin to phase out night feeds when your baby is fully established onto solid foods.
Your child may need more food during the day to avoid night-time hunger.
Children who are in childcare may have their dinner at lunchtime and a small snack there at around 4pm. Give your child a good supper before bedtime. For example, a supper of carbohydrates such as bread, rice or cereal with milk.
To gradually reduce and stop night feeds:
- decrease the number of feeds for bottle-fed babies - and the amount you give them
- space out the timing of breastfeeding for breastfed babies
Talk to a public health nurse if you have questions about sleep and feeding. If you are breastfeeding, you can also ask our breastfeeding expert.
Dream feeds
A dream feed is when a baby is fed while they are asleep. There are risks to consider, such as safety and overfeeding. There is no evidence that dream feeds help babies to sleep through the night. There is a possibility it could interfere with your baby’s sleep cycle.
If you choose to dream feed, be careful that your baby does not choke on the milk. Do not feed your baby while they’re lying on their back. Keep them in a semi-upright position with their head propped up. Make sure you stay awake until your baby is safely back in their cot or bed.
Giving a dream feed might overfeed your baby. They may not need this additional feed.
Important
Do not leave a bottle in your child’s cot or bed for them to drink during the night. This could be a choking risk.
Breastfeeding at night after solid foods
Some parents may choose to continue to breastfeed during the night after their baby is fully established on solid foods.
Breastfeeding offers comfort, security, warmth, closeness and familiarity.
When to get help
Every child has different sleeping patterns.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your public health nurse, GP or GP practice nurse if:
- your baby or young child is not sleeping
- their sleep pattern is disturbed
- you are finding it difficult to cope
