Help Your Baby Get to Sleep

• Set a regular schedule for naps and bedtime as much as possible.
• Set a relaxing routine for your baby. Give a bath, sing a soothing song, read a story, or tell one of your own.
• Rock your baby until they are drowsy but still awake, then lay them down to sleep. It is not recommended to rock your baby to full sleep after four to six months.
• When your baby is sleepy, put them safely in their crib in a quiet, dark room. This will help them learn to go to sleep in their crib.

When Your Baby Wakes Up

• When your newborn wakes up, they will usually be hungry and need to be fed (on demand). Your baby will feed and fall asleep easier if they are fed when they are still calm and not fully crying.
• Settle your baby to sleep as quickly as you can if they are not hungry during nighttime feed.
• It is normal for your baby to have periods of restlessness every hour or so. This only lasts a short period and babies usually fall back to sleep on their own.
• If your baby wakes up and doesn’t settle, check if they need a diaper change or are hungry. Change or feed your baby quietly. Keep the light low. Avoid stimulating activities such as playing. Put them back in the crib as soon as you can.
• Stay calm. Young children can sense when a parent is feeling frustrated

Services related to this information:

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