Infant Sleep (0 to 12 months)

Babies less than 3 months of age:

• normally sleep between 14 to 17 hours during a 24-hour period,
• usually wake every 2 to 3 hours to feed,
• have irregular sleep patterns and may sleep at any time of the day or night, and
• spend a lot of time in active sleep and may move, grunt and twitch during sleep. This may cause a baby to wake up not long after they fall asleep, just before moving into quiet sleep.

Babies 3 to 6 months:

• normally sleep 12 to 16 hours during a 24-hour period, including naps, 
• continue to wake frequently to feed,
• may have a more regular sleep pattern, with more time spent in quiet sleep, and
• may begin to stay awake longer during the day and sleep for longer stretches at night.

Babies 6 to 12 months:

• normally sleep 12 to 16 hours during a 24-hour period, including naps,
• may still wake during the night to feed,
• may develop a more regular sleep routine, and
• may transition from many short naps to fewer, longer naps.

Signs your baby is tired

Learn the cues that your baby is tired and respond promptly to prevent your baby from becoming over-tired. An over-tired baby can be harder to settle. Tired cues can look like:

• Yawning
• Jerky movements or tight fists
• Becoming quiet, not wanting to play
• Fussing, crying or facial grimacing
• Rubbing their eyes

Helping your baby sleep

It takes time for infants to develop a circadian rhythm cycle (having more awake time during the day and sleeping more at night). However, parents and caregivers can help their baby develop healthy sleep habits right from birth. Try these tips when putting your baby to sleep:

• Allow natural sunlight into the home during the day and keep the lights low at night. This will help your baby learn the difference between day and night.
• Start a calming bedtime routine with your baby, including things such as reading a story, bath time, baby massage, singing or rocking. Stay consistent and over time babies may learn that the routine and their crib mean it is time for sleep.
•  Some babies may need more help than others to fall asleep. Try feeding, rocking, singing, shushing or patting to help soothe your baby.

Helping your baby nap

Napping helps a baby to sleep better at night. Keeping your baby awake during the day will not help your baby sleep longer at night. Some babies nap as little as 20 minutes, while others may nap for 3 or more hours. Both are normal. Try these tips to help your baby nap:

• It may be helpful to use a shorter version of your baby’s bedtime routine before a nap, for example, a short story and cuddle.
• Whenever possible, place your baby to sleep in the same place for daytime napping and night-time sleeping. 

Healthy sleep habits for parents and caregivers

Remember that it’s important to take care of yourself – it’s part of parenting. Here are some tips to help sleep happen more easily:

• Start a relaxing bedtime routine and make sleep a priority.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and screen-use before bed.
• Ask a friend or family member to help you with meals, laundry, or cleaning.
• Spend some time outside most days.
• Try to be physically active and eat well each day. 
• Cuddle your baby before bed.
• Try meditation or deep breathing to relax.

If you aren't feeling yourself, or have concerns about your mental health, talk to your doctor, your friends, or family.

Safe sleep guidelines

Follow these guidelines to protect your baby from SIDS, SUDI, death, and injury.

To help keep your baby safe

• Place your baby on their back to sleep.
• Use a crib, cradle, or bassinet that meets Health Canada safety standards.
• Use a flat and firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet.
• Remove all blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, and bumper pads from the mattress.
• Keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
• Keep your baby in the same room as you for the first 6 months of their life.
• Dress your baby in a fitted, one-piece sleeper.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS. 

• Avoid smoking tobacco or cannabis (also known as marijuana, pot, or weed) during pregnancy and after birth. Keep smoke away from your baby. This includes fabrics that have been touched by smoke.
• Don’t swaddle your baby. As well as increasing the risk of SIDS, it can increase the risk of hip problems and breathing infections. It also makes it harder for your baby to communicate.
• Adult beds, couches or sofas, air mattresses, futons, waterbeds, pillows or cushions, playpens, car seats, infant swings, and strollers are not safe places for babies to sleep.
  • Don’t leave your baby asleep in a car seat once you’ve reached your destination.
  • Don’t leave your baby alone in an adult bed.
  • Don’t sleep with your baby on the couch or sofa.

What about bed sharing?

The safest place for your baby to sleep is alone in a crib, cradle, or bassinet that meets Health Canada’s safety regulations. Bed sharing can increase your baby’s risk of dying or getting hurt. 

Bed sharing quiz adapted with permission from Professor Helen Ball and Dr. Charlotte Russell, Durham University Parent Infant Sleep lab.

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions

Sharing a bed with your baby is more dangerous. Check with your health care provider to help you make a safer sleep plan for your baby. 

If you answered “no” to all the questions about bed sharing

Take the following steps to make the bed as safe as possible if you think you might share a bed with your baby:

• Never sleep with your baby on a couch, sofa, armchair, air mattress, or waterbed.
• Make sure that the mattress is firm and covered with a fitted sheet.
• Clear the bed of blankets, pillows, toys, and all other objects.
• Only have parents and the baby in bed.
• Tell your partner and other household members that the baby is in bed with you.
• Move the bed away from the wall, so your baby cannot get trapped.
• Continue to follow the safe sleep guidelines, outlined above, like always putting your baby on their back to sleep. 

Bed-sharing with two people 

Lie in the “C” position. Face the baby with your knees pulled up under the baby’s feet and your arm above the baby’s head.

Bed-sharing with three people

Continue to lie in the “C” position. Your baby should sleep to the side of one partner, not in between partners.

Are infant sleep products, such as playpens and infant swings, recommended for sleeping?

Health Canada has safety laws for some products, including infant sleep products:

• The safest place for your baby to sleep is alone in a crib, cradle, or bassinet that meets Health Canada’s safety regulations.
• Other products such as side-car cribs and cots, baby hammocks, playpens, and infant swings are not recommended for infant sleep. They do not meet Health Canada safety laws.
• Sleep accessories like bumper pads or sleep positioners are not recommended. They increase the risk of a baby suffocating or becoming trapped.

Use caution when buying products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Wedges, positioners, special mattresses and special sleep surfaces have not been shown to reduce the risk of infant death or injury. These products are not regulated by Health Canada and may not be safe.

Exception: In the case of some diagnosed health problems, your child’s doctor may tell you to use a positioning or monitoring device.

Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when building or setting up a crib or bed for your child and be aware of product recalls.

My baby has started rolling over. Do I still need to put them on their back to sleep?

Can I spoil a crying baby by picking them up?

No - you cannot spoil a baby with too much love and comfort.

Babies cry to express their needs and to communicate with people around them. They are not yet able to comfort themselves or regulate their own emotions. Comforting your baby when they are upset teaches your baby that you will be there when they need you. This helps them feel safe.

There may be times when you can't settle your baby's crying. This is a normal experience, but it can be frustrating. It’s OK to put your baby in a safe place such as their crib, take a short break, and ask for help from a friend or family member.

How do I prevent flat spots on my baby's head?

• Give your baby lots of supervised tummy and side lying time when your baby is awake. This helps develop strong neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. Find toys that your baby likes to play with on their tummy or side.
• Alternate which end of the crib you place your baby’s head at each day. 
• Instead of walking with your baby in a car or infant seat, carry your baby close to your body in your arms or a cloth carrier you can wear.
• Avoid long periods in car seats, baby seats, and swings where your baby’s head is in the same position. 

When will my baby sleep through the night?

Babies require frequent feeding to grow and develop and they have shorter sleep cycles than adults. This results in night-time waking, which is a normal part of infancy. Babies will sleep through the night when they are developmentally ready to do so, and many children will wake up even as toddlers.

Babies who previously slept for longer stretches at night may start to wake more often again when they are:

• teething,
• not feeling well,
• having a growth spurt, or
• learning new skills such as language skills, rolling over, sitting up, or walking.

If your baby wakes up and you don’t think they need to eat or have their diaper changed, you can try letting them self-soothe and return to sleep. Babies may try to soothe themselves by:

• sucking on their fingers or hand,
• changing position, or
• paying attention to your voice.

If your baby does not go back to sleep and is upset, it is important to respond to them. If you are concerned about your baby’s sleep, speak with your health care provider.

Will giving solid foods help my baby sleep through the night?