Tips for Helping Your Baby Get on a Sleep Routine

Before your baby is 3 or 4 months old, they won’t have a regular sleep schedule. You can’t make your baby sleep through the night yet, but you can help them learn the difference between day and night by keeping them more active during the day.

By 4 or 5 months old, most babies start to follow a more regular sleep pattern. Babies who were born early might take a little longer.

It’s also normal for babies to wake up at night. Some babies learn how to fall back asleep on their own. Others need help learning this skill.

Help Your Baby Sleep Better

Try these tips to make starting a sleep routine easier:

• Create a bedtime routine. Do the same calming things each night, like a bath, book, or lullaby.
• Keep the sleep space quiet and dark. This helps baby know it’s time to rest.
• Put baby to bed when sleepy but still awake. This teaches your baby how to fall asleep on their own.
• Keep nighttime visits calm. If baby wakes up, only feed or change them if needed. Don’t play or talk too much—keep it quiet and boring.
• Share the plan. Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the sleep routine and follows it.