Help your baby sleep with a regular bedtime routine

Help your baby sleep with a regular bedtime routine

Help your baby sleep with a regular bedtime routine

Baby Care
Article
Jan 5, 2021
5 mins

Did you know? Putting your baby to bed when she’s drowsy but still awake, and at around the same time every night, can help create an effective sleep routine.

During your baby's early months, her sleep habits may have been unpredictable, with the possibility of several wakings during the night. Now that your healthy baby is six months old, she is able to sleep for longer stretches at night. As her daytime activity increases, and her development progresses, she may start to develop regular sleep cycles. 

 

Consistency is everything when it comes to bedtimes and sleeping routines. Following a similar pattern before lights out will help your little one get sufficient sleep.

 

Amazingly, recent research has also shown that babies and young children who regularly don’t get enough sleep are more likely to grow up to be children with lower-quality diets. In one particular study, children who had adequate sleep (from infancy to mid-childhood) ate more servings of whole grains and drank fewer sugary drinks. With the link between a long-term lack of sleep and a tendency toward less healthy nutrition, there is even more reason to make sure that your baby is getting enough sleep on a regular basis.

 

It’s not a good idea to wait until your baby is fast asleep before putting her down in her crib. Babies who are placed in their cribs when drowsy, but still awake, are thought to be more likely to learn to fall asleep on their own. Of course this may not happen the first time, or every bedtime, but it is worth now exploring an approach to encourage your little one to figure out how to settle herself. Moms who have followed these sleep practices for the past few months will likely be seeing the benefits by now, with their little one settling to sleep on her own at night. If this is a new practice for you and your baby, the time is still right for you to help your baby get a good night’s rest. See 13 tips for sweet dreams for some guidance.

 

Sleep and growth

Experts agree that adequate sleep is linked to healthy growth. Behind your baby’s closed eyelids, her body is busy developing—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

 

In one recent scientific study, the sleeping patterns of two groups of babies were compared up to the age of one year. Parents of babies in one group received basic instructions on sleep and crib safety, but not on ‘responsive parenting’ techniques. Parents in the second group were taught responsive parenting techniques related to sleep, including:

• using soothing approaches to calm a fussy, but non-hungry baby, rather than feeding

• recognizing if fussiness was because of hunger or tiredness

• following consistent bedtime routines that didn’t finish with feeding to sleep

• practicing early bedtimes

• allowing their babies some limited time to self-soothe when put down for the night and when waking during the night

 

The study showed that babies whose parents followed responsive parenting techniques for sleep were more likely to:

• have earlier bedtimes

• self-soothe themselves to sleep

• sleep longer at night

This study shows the positive impact that parent actions can have on their baby’s sleep,” explains Anne Dattilo, PhD, RD, Associate Director of Nutrition Science at Nestlé Infant Nutrition. “When parents followed responsive parenting techniques, the babies showed improvements in their sleep patterns and nightly sleep duration. As additional research has shown a link between young child’s sleep and a healthy growth curve, parents can be encouraged to recognize that sleep routines they establish for their baby now, can have lasting health effects.”

 

A fussy baby isn’t always a hungry baby

If your baby wakes in the night, it’s easy to assume she must be hungry. However, this is not always the case. Babies wake in the night for various reasons—she may be generally unsettled, have a dirty diaper, or have been woken by a loud noise. Or, as she gets closer to seven or eight months, she may be experiencing separation anxiety. This is normal, and she may just need to know that you are there for her.

 

Some parents believe formula-fed babies are more likely to “sleep through” the night, but research suggests that they wake just as often as breastfed babies. Studies show that moms who use food to soothe their babies, when they aren’t showing signs of hunger, have heavier children. Dr. Dattilo reiterates that “choosing nighttime and daily nap-time soothing methods that do not include feeding, when your baby is not showing signs of hunger, can help reduce the risk of your baby growing up to be overweight.”

 

 

Sources

 

Brown A, Harries V. Infant sleep and night feeding patterns during later infancy: association with breastfeeding frequency, daytime complementary food intake, and infant weight. Breastfeed Med 2015; 10(5):246-52.

 

Cespedes EM, Hu FB, Redline S et al. Chronic insufficient sleep and diet quality: Contributors to childhood obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2016; 24(1): 184-90. doi:10.1002/oby.21196.

Mindell JA, Li AM, Sadeh A et al. Bedtime routines for young children: a dose-dependent association with sleep outcomes. Sleep 2015; 38(5):717-22.

Paul IM, Savage JS, Anzman-Frasca S et al. INSIGHT responsive parenting intervention and infant sleep. Pediatrics 2016; 138(1): e20160762.

Sadeh A, Mindell JA, Luedtke K et al. Sleep and sleep ecology in the first 3 years: a web-based study. J Sleep Res 2009; 18(1):60-73.

Savage JS, Birch LL, Marini M et al. Effect of the INSIGHT responsive parenting intervention on rapid weight gain and overweight status at age 1 year: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr 2016; 170(8):742-9.  doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0445.

 

Stifter CA, Anzman-Frasca S, Birch LL et al. Parent use of food to soothe infant/toddler distress and child weight status. An exploratory study. Appetite 2011; 57(3):693-9.

Related articles

View details Acceptance and Refusal – 12 to 24 Months
Article
Acceptance and Refusal – 12 to 24 Months

Acceptance and Refusal – 12 to 24 Months

When feeding your baby, understanding how much food he/she needs can be tricky.

2 mins to read

View details Understanding The Power Of Proteins
Article
Understanding The Power Of Proteins for Kids

Understanding The Power Of Proteins

Proteins are often known as the Bricks of Life.

3 mins to read

View details The dos and don’ts of responsive feeding
Article
The dos and don’ts of responsive feeding

The dos and don’ts of responsive feeding

The ways you feed your baby are as important as what you feed her. Find out what to watch for, and what to do, when your baby starts eating complementary foods.

6 mins to read

View details Baby Self Feeding – What to Expect?
Article
Baby Self Feeding – What to Expect?

Baby Self Feeding – What to Expect?

Gone are the days of spoon-feeding him purées, it’s time to roll out the wipeable mat for your independent eater! Let your toddler lead the way on his adventures in food.

6 mins to read

View details Baby constipation - symptoms, causes and treatment
Article
Baby constipation - symptoms, causes and treatment

Baby constipation - symptoms, causes and treatment

Constipation doesn’t only happen to grown-ups; babies and children get it as well.

2 mins to read

View details Baby Teething Tips
Article
Baby Teething Tips

Baby Teething Tips

Teething can be a distressing time for your baby and you too. We’ve put together an action plan of teething tips, so you can all get through it without gritting your teeth.

2 mins to read

View details Playful Learning – The unseen benefits
Article
Playful Learning – The unseen benefits

Playful Learning – The unseen benefits

Did you know? Imaginary play and ‘talking time’ are essential to your baby’s healthy development.

2 mins to read

View details How to Increase Baby Immunity with Child-Friendly Foods
Article
8 Child-Friendly Foods That’ll Boost Your Child’s Immunity

How to Increase Baby Immunity with Child-Friendly Foods

Nothing is more painful than seeing your child fall prey to infectious diseases easily.

4 mins to read

View details Babies And Their Grandparents - The Beginning Of A Beautiful Love Story
Article
Babies And Their Grandparents - The Beginning Of A Beautiful Love Story

Babies And Their Grandparents - The Beginning Of A Beautiful Love Story

Grandparents love looking after their grandchildren and can be a great help to you as long as they can retain their freedom!  Make the most of this special relationship. 

3 mins to read

View details Need some space? Here’s how to handle visitors after giving birth
Article
How to handle visitors after giving birth

Need some space? Here’s how to handle visitors after giving birth

If you’re an overwhelmed mom or dad with too many baby visitors, don’t panic. Here’s our top five tips on how to handle visitors after giving birth, giving you time to bond with your baby.

2 mins to read

View details Healthy Baby Snacks On The Go – Get Inspired!
Article
healthy-baby-snacks-on-the-go

Healthy Baby Snacks On The Go – Get Inspired!

When your baby is hungry in between meals, think about nutrition and balance as you do with main meals. Avoid high-sugar, low-nutrient snacks.

1 min to read

View details Baby Milestones – 12 to 24 Months
Article
Baby Milestones – 12 to 24 Months

Baby Milestones – 12 to 24 Months

A few key milestones in your child’s development.

 

1 min to read

View details Developing Healthy Digestive System By Including Probiotics In Your Child's Diet
Article
Developing A Healthy Digestive System By Including Probiotics In Your Child's Diet

Developing Healthy Digestive System By Including Probiotics In Your Child's Diet

There are billions of bacteria living in our digestive system.

3 mins to read

View details The importance of responsive feeding for lifelong health
Article
The importance of responsive feeding for lifelong health

The importance of responsive feeding for lifelong health

Did you know? Both pressuring your baby to eat more, or restricting how much she eats, can interfere with her growth.

3 mins to read

View details Finding the right nutritional balance for your toddler
Article
finding-the-right-nutritional-balance

Finding the right nutritional balance for your toddler

Latest research reveals that foods high in salt and sugar may be taking up too much space in toddlers’ tummies, leaving little room for foods that are high in essential nutrients.

3 mins to read

View details Baby Poo
Article
Baby Poo

Baby Poo

Your baby's stools let you know how their digestive system is performing.  Telling the difference between "normal" and "abnormal" can be difficult at first, but don't despair.

7 mins to read

View details 10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine
Article
Baby Sleep Routine Tips

10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine

Baby sleep routines can vary enormously, often causing poor parents many sleepless nights. Here are some bedtime routine tips to help your baby sleep through the night.

1 min to read

View details Baby Sleep Development - Benefits
Article
Baby Sleep Development - Benefits

Baby Sleep Development - Benefits

As well as recharging your baby’s batteries for tomorrow’s playtime, sleep can help his brain, body, and even vocabulary develop.

5 mins to read

View details Baby Blues
Article
Baby Blues

Baby Blues

You are not alone.  Almost two thirds of mothers feel down after childbirth. 

4 mins to read

Join Nestlé Baby Club

  Join Nestlé Baby Club

Parenting peace of mind, just a click away. Get your personal weekly advice and solutions via email.

Learn About Nutrition Parenting - Baby and me Nestle Singapore

Learn about nutrition & parenting

Sample - Baby and me Nestle Singapore

Enjoy samples, gifts and great deals

Get-Help - Baby and me Nestle Singapore

Get help & answers you need in no time