Sleep Problems and Solutions

What’s there to know about sleeping?

Sleep problems are some of the most common problems parents face with their kids. You may wonder about how to get your child to sleep through the night. Maybe you have a new baby and want to learn how to help them develop good sleep habits that will last a lifetime. Some children may have chronic sleep difficulties, and many children (like most adults!) are actually going through their days sleep-deprived. Read on for information on all these issues and more, and for lots of links to even more resources to help your kids (and you) get a better night’s sleep.

What do I need to know about how babies sleep?
Infants go through a complete sleep cycle about every 50-60 minutes, so they are in light sleep and could wake up many times each night!

Newborns just sleep any old time, on and off, all through the day and night. By age four months, your baby will probably be sleeping a 6-8 hour chunk at night, and by age 6 months, about 10-12 hours. But that’s not to say that they won’t wake up during that time! Most babies still wake up at least once a night even at age nine months. Some can get back to sleep by themselves, and some need you to help them fall back asleep. If all this night waking is not working for your family, then you may find some helpful resources on this page, so read on! (Also see, growth and sleep)

How can I tell if my child is sleep deprived? How much sleep do kids need?
This chart shows you some averages. It will give you an idea of the ballpark you should be aiming for, depending on your child’s age. Some kids will need more or less sleep, and differ in how they nap.

Age	Nighttime Sleep (hours)	Daytime Sleep (hours)	Total Sleep (hours)
1 month	8.5 (many naps)	7.5 (many naps)	16
3 months	6-10	5-9	15
6 months	10-12	3-4.5	14.5
9 months	11	3 (2 naps)	14
12 months	11	2.5 (2 naps)	13.5
18 months	11	2.5 (1-2 naps)	13.5
2 years	11	2 (1 nap)	13
3 years	10.5	1.5 (1 nap)	12
4 years	11.5	0	11.5
5 years	11	0	11
6 years	11	0	11
7 years	11	0	11
8 years	10-11	0	10-11
9 years	10-11	0	10-11
10 years	10	0	10
11 years	10	0	10
12-13 years	9.5-10	0	9.5-10
14 years	9.5	0	9.5
15 years	9.5	0	9.5
16 years	9.25	0	9.25

Sleep Tips - From Conception to 3 Months

In the first few weeks after birth, babies sleep more on the day and night. Most wake 2 or 3 times during the night for feeds.

Babies have shorter sleep cycles compared adults and they wake-up or stir about every 30-40 minutes.

By the 3rd month or so, many babies will probably have settled into a pattern of longer times awake during the day, and longer sleep times at night. Most will still be waking once or twice during the night for feeds.

Sleeping in the same room with parents is the recommended and safest suggestion I can offer for young babies. Take note though that sharing a bed with a baby has lead to the deaths of some babies.

Secure attachments in infancy are the base for good mental health. A major need for secure attachment is for a parent to respond to infant needs and cues. It is important not to leave your baby to cry. Do not completely immitate what the grandfather did to the baby in the movie, "Meet the Fockers".

Tired signs- sleep cues

• Yawning
• Jerky movements
• Becoming quiet, not wanting to play
• “Grizzling” or fussing
• Rubbing their eyes
• Making a sleepy sound
• Crying
• Facial grimaces i.e. pulling faces
• Clenched fists
• Waving arms and legs about

For more tips and a better understanding on baby sleep, please visit the sleep expert's website.