Sleep for Children

Read all nap related questions - naps Newborn While it is your responsibility to wake up and feed your newborn, it is likewise your responsibility to teach them to sleep. Begin by creating a loud, bright stimulating daytime where people talk and full voice, listen (... more on newborn sleep) When can we let our baby sleep all night? Our son is 2 weeks old and seems to be doing well. He was back to his birthweight at his 2 week check up. We are waking him at night to nurse, but he seems tired and wants to sleep. Does he need (... more on When can we let our baby sleep all night?) 2 weeks After infants have regained their birthweight and feeding is established, parents no longer need to wake their child at night. Begin by creating a loud, bright stimulating daytime where people talk and full voice, (... more on 2 week old sleep) Sleeping Through the Night at 6 weeks I have a 6 week old.  Two nights in a row he slept for at least 6 hours. The first night I woke him up, the second night he slept for 7 hours and woke up on his own. Is this okay? Should I be waking him (... more on 6 week old sleeping through the night) Baby Waking Every 2 Hours We've added a 6 week old to our family who has been sleeping in a bassinet in our room, and he's waking every 2 hours to feed - we're wondering if he's just pacifying himself and does this mean (... more on Baby Waking Every 2 Hours) 2 months Crying to Sleep at 7 weeks Our daughter is 7 weeks old today and for the past week we’ve had to let her just cry herself to sleep at night.  If we hold her she falls asleep in our arms but when we go to put her into her bed she wakes up (...more on Crying to Sleep at 7 weeks)

2 Month Old Waking in the Night

I am having a very difficult time getting my 2 month old daughter to sleep past 3am. I changed her bed time from 8 to 10 in hopes it would improve things, but it hasn't. During the daytime, she typically gets (...more on waking in the night at 2 months)

Only Wants Mommy

My daughter is almost 9 weeks old. When she fights sleep, she will not calm herself and refuses to let anyone else calm her down but me. This happens both at night and during the day. I have tried leaving the (... more on Only Wants Mommy)

When to Stop Swaddling

My son is 3 1/2 months old. We are still swaddling him when he sleeps. Is this ok?  He doesn't seem to have good control over his movements and he will wake himself up if not swaddled.  Although, he is getting strong (... more on When to Stop Swaddling)

3 month old waking at night

Our 3 1/2 month old son was doing great sleeping through the night until recently.  He has a great daytime schedule of feeding every 4 hours, playtime and naps (about an hour and a half to two hours each).  (... more on 3 month old waking at night)

4 months

By 4 months most children should be sleeping through the night. If your child is consistently sleeping 6 to 8 hours they are on track. As the child, gains weight and settles into the routine they should continue (... more on 4 month old sleep)

4 month old waking at night

My husband and I are having a bit of a debate... he thinks my daughter wakes up so much at night because she sleeps too much during the day (because he saw a bunch of sleep schedules online where the (...more on 4 month old waking at night)

Sleeping in Swing

Out of pure desperation for more sleep, I placed my 4 month old in the swing to sleep at night. He went from sleeping 2-3 hour stretches to 6 – 8 hours. It is 4 weeks later. With  a few unsuccessful attempts to have him (... more on Sleeping in Swing)

4 month old waking to nurse

My daughter is 18 weeks yesterday and she is my first child. She has been a great baby from day one. She was not colicky, she can self-soothe...although her method is sucking, but won't take a pacifier just fingers (... more on 4 month old waking to nurse)

Not sleeping after adding solid foods

My son is about 5 months old and we have since his 4 month check up incorporated solid foods. Because of the above schedule, at night he is now getting up every 2 - 3hours.  What do you suggest his (... more on Not sleeping after adding solid foods)

5 month old not sleeping

We have a 5 ½ month old baby weighing 18 pounds that falls asleep easily on his own, but wakes several times in the night.  The lack of sleep is taking a toll on my husband and I; we are eager for some help. So here’s the(... more on 5 month old not sleeping)

5 month old not sleeping at night

Our almost 5 month old has yet to sleep through the night. He slept an 8 hour stretch once a few months ago and a 6 hour stretch once. We used to be able to go 3-4 hours between night time feeds, but now he (... more on 5 month old not sleeping at night)

6 months

At 6 months, your child should be sleeping undisturbed throughout the entire night. At this age, children should be placed in their cribs for bedtime groggy but definitely awake. Children need to learn to calm themselves (... more on Sleep for 6 month olds)

Screaming while Sleeping

My 6 month old son has started a screaming cry when he awakens from sleeping.  It's a different cry than I've heard before...more desperate than anything.  We have begun feeding him solids 3x/day.  He goes to be (...more on Screaming while Sleeping)

6 month old waking at night

My son is turning 6 months in a few days. He is not sleeping through the night. Right now he sleeps from 7pm to about 7am. He has had a consistent bedtime routine since 3 months. Going to bed isn't the issue, (... more on 6 month old waking at night)

Kicking Causing Waking

Our son, who is almost 6 months, kicks his legs repetitively in his sleep at night.  He picks them up and slams them down on the crib mattress. He's able to sleep through a little of this, but  it eventually wakes him up, (... more on Kicking Causing Waking)

Sleep problems in a 7 month old

We have a delightful 7 month old who is a terrible night time sleeper, much unlike his big brother. We do everything the experts suggest: plenty of day time stimulation, he is eating nutritious solids and  (...more on Sleep problems in a 7 month old)

Waking in the middle of the night

Our 7 month old goes to bed around 7pm and sleeps pretty consistently until 2 or 3 am. She usually wakes up and I nurse her back to sleep. The rest of the night isn't quite as predictable but most nights (... more on Waking in the middle of the night)

Rolling over and SIDS

Our son was down to only waking up once a night and now has reverted to waking up every 2 to 3 hours.  Randomly, he was put down for a nap on his tummy and slept better than he had in two weeks. (... more on Rolling Over and SIDS)

Training your child to fall asleep on their own

Our 8 mo old son is very attached to me and I typically put him to sleep (while daddy is putting our 2 yr old daughter to bed) - lately he doesn't want to sleep unless he is touching me.  He immediately starts crying if I put him in his crib while still awake.  He wakes up usually once in (... more on Training your child to fall asleep on their own)

Waking up early in the morning

Do you have any suggestions for getting our ten month old to sleep later in the morning?  She regularly wakes around 5am.  She still takes two naps and sleeps at night from 7pm to 5am. Having a large (... more on Waking up early in the morning)

Feet stuck in crib bars

Our baby is about to transition to her crib, and does a lot of position shifting.  She maneuvers to where her feet stick through the slats.  Is there a danger here?  If so, any suggestions? (... more on feet stuck in crib bars).

When children 6 to 18 months cannot fall asleep on their own and are waking throughout the night:

First, I recommend working on falling to sleep and then working on the rest of the night later. Parents should go through a strict bedtime routine and then place the child in their bed awake. (... more on crying it out)

Crying it out not working

Our almost 8-month-old daughter wants me to hold her all the time and cannot self soothe - I can't walk out of the room for one minute even when I'm in eyesite; she wants me within arm's reach constantly. (... more on crying it out not working)

Moving Bedtime Earlier

I just wanted to thank you for posting information on your website about putting newborns to sleep.  We put our daughter down each night around 10:30 with the same routine (bath, dress, bottle, rocking baby to sleep) (... more on Moving Bedtime Earlier)

Sleep with a Blanket

At what age do you feel it is appropriate for a baby to begin sleeping with a blanket? My son is 10.5 months old, and I have been letting him sleep with a small, light blanket during his naps.  I am considering giving it (... more on Sleep with a Blanket)

When can a Toddler use a Pillow?

My son just turned 2. We transitioned him into a toddler bed a couple months ago. The transition has been a very smooth one, until recently. He continues to ask for a pillow when he goes to bed, and gets mad that (... more on When can a Toddler use a Pillow)

Toddler Waking at Night

I have breastfed my son for 14  months now. I have tried to give it up a couple of times but he has not cooperated very well with that. However, I am VERY ready to be done. He doesn't take a bottle any more (... more on Toddler Waking at Night)

Nighttime Waking

I have a 19 month old that used to sleep about 10 hours a night (asleep by 8pm and up at 6am).  Recently, she started waking up screeching and standing up in her crib at some point in the night.  I go to her because she (... more on Nighttime Waking)

The Transition from Two Naps to One Nap

My girls are teething and crawling and pulling themselves up on everything and I really thought that they would want to nap more than ever, yet it seems like napping is the last thing they want to do.  We (... more on The Transition from Two Naps to One Nap)

Sleeping with Mom

My boys are 5 and almost 4. 16 months apart, My husband leaves for work at 2 am and something about that wakes them up and they come and get in bed with me. When it wakes me up I take them back to their beds. (... more on Sleeping with Mom)

Sleeping on the Floor

My daughter is 2 1/2 and started not sleeping through the night about 6 months ago.  In February I had her adenoids removed and after a few months she began sleeping again as normal.  Now she is back to waking at (... more on Sleeping on the Floor)

Sleeping too much

I’m inquiring for my 2 ½ year old son. He has been sleeping about 16 hours a night and a long nap during the day as well. While most parents would be jumping for joy (and we are) I am starting to get a little concerned. (... more on Sleeping too much)

Updated June 2011 by
Dr. Gordon, Windermere Pediatrician

gregorygordonmd.com is intended to help parents understand the needs and behaviors of children. The information presented in the site is the opinion of Gregory Gordon, M.D. and does not reflect the opinion of his partners. The advice in this site does not apply to all children. Always consult your healthcare provider for your individual needs.

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