The facts about baby sleep
Babies sleep on a completely different rhythm than adults, which is why the first months can be a real challenge for parents. How much and how long a baby sleeps is different for every baby. But they all have one thing in common: they sleep a lot, and they don't know our sleep-wake rhythm yet. That is something they still have to learn.
There are endless tips and guides on baby sleep. Every newborn has their own way of sleeping, and that is completely normal, because every person is different. Some babies simply drift off. Others take their time, or sometimes don't want to go to bed at all. Of course, it matters that babies get enough sleep. It helps them develop healthily and explore the world full of energy.
Your baby's sleep rhythm
In the first days and weeks, a newborn seems to sleep almost all day. And in fact, during the first two months a newborn sleeps up to 18 hours a day on average. During the day, though, young babies sleep no more than 2-4 hours at a stretch. At night, your baby sleeps up to 6 hours at a stretch, but this varies a lot too, of course. Unlike us adults, your baby doesn't have deep sleep phases yet. They sleep lightly, in what is called REM sleep, so they wake up easily when their basic needs make themselves felt. This light sleep is completely normal and helps newborns survive. When your baby wakes up at night, they want to be nursed, changed or picked up.
On top of that, your baby doesn't know the difference between day and night yet. They are learning and developing from the very first months, and little by little your baby learns to tell day from night. In the first 4 to 6 months, sleep phases get longer. Until around six months, most babies wake up once a night because they are hungry. But your baby's internal clock slowly adjusts to yours. By six months, your baby may already sleep up to 11 hours at night.
In their second year, a child needs about 13 hours of sleep. Many use part of that time for a midday nap, but here, too, every child is different. The older children get, the less sleep they need.
You can help your baby learn to fall asleep. Routines get your baby used to a rhythm that repeats every day.
Rituals and habits
Babies don't automatically get tired when it gets dark. They need consistent routines to get used to bedtime. You will find out which ritual works best for your family. In the first months, an evening feed or a bath often helps. Brushing teeth and putting on pajamas can become fixed routines, too. If you can, put your child to bed awake and always at the same time. Lullabies and bedtime stories are also popular evening rituals. The time you spend together at the bedside creates memories for life and gives your child a feeling of closeness and security.
We all sleep best when we feel safe and well looked after.
Co-sleeping
Co-sleeping is common in many cultures. In the first year, the baby sleeps in the parents' bedroom, ideally in their own bed. Especially when children get tired, they look for closeness to the people they are attached to. Hearing their parents breathe helps babies sleep more calmly. Physical closeness to mom and dad gives them a sense of security and strengthens their basic trust.
The right sleep environment
A comfortable, safe sleep environment is important for restful sleep. The bedroom should always be well aired and slightly darkened. A diaper, an undershirt and well-fitting pajamas are all your baby needs to wear at night. Add a sleep sack that suits the season. Just like the right clothes, a sleep sack should fit well for safe sleep. It is best to lay your baby on their back to fall asleep, so they can breathe easily. Keep as little as possible in the bed next to your baby. Pillows, blankets or soft toys can take up space and restrict breathing.
Calm daytime naps with a baby hammock
Some babies need extra attention to fall asleep. From pregnancy, they know the feeling of gentle movement inside their mother's belly. For some babies this has a calming effect and helps them fall asleep on their own.
A baby hammock can be a big help here. Many of us know those long, tiring hours of rocking our baby and bouncing up and down. Our baby hammocks are a wonderful alternative. For supervised daytime naps, they give you peace of mind that your baby is resting safe and snug.
The quiet, self-learning motor gently rocks your baby up and down. You can operate the baby hammock with one hand, and it spares you from carrying your baby around all the time.
We care about fair production, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 fabrics and intuitive handling. We know from our own experience that a baby who struggles to settle can fall asleep faster in a baby hammock. Baby hammocks are a big help for new parents and a lovely, practical gift for your baby.
