Top tips for better sleep at 3-6 months

Top tips for better sleep at 3-6 months

Top tips for better sleep at 3-6 months

First-Time Parents
Article
Jan 28, 2021
3 mins

Scientists agree that good sleep is important for healthy growth, so follow our all-day guide to a better sleep.

Top tips for better sleep at 3–6 months

Daytime ‘do’s

  • Get physical: Your baby may sleep better if she’s exercised her mind and body so make time for daily activity and stimulation, such as ‘tummy time’.
  • Know your nap times: Try to set regular times for daytime naps and bear these in mind when you’re planning your day together.
  • Keep it calm: Where your baby sleeps should be a dedicated relaxation zone with a quiet atmosphere and low-level lighting. Banish distracting TVs, laptops, and tablets.
  • Hang in there: As your baby approaches four months, try to keep her awake a little bit longer if it is getting close to bedtime. Instead of a nap just an hour before bedtime, give her a bath and massage, or read her a story. 

Better bedtimes

  • Time it right: Start to put your baby to sleep at the same time every night. Experts have found that putting your baby to bed at the same time every evening can increase her chances of getting enough sleep.
  • Offer a feeding: As she gets a little older, and is able to sleep five to six hours at night, offer your baby a feeding just before bedtime. This may help her to sleep for the next several hours. Extra-absorbent diapers can also be a useful way to maximize sleep.
  • If your baby is on bottle feeding, do not add any cereal or other foods to the bottle. This practice has not been shown to increase the length of time she will sleep.
  • Set a routine: Follow your own pre-sleep pattern with tips from our Bedtime Routine Checklist.
  • Separate sleep: Your baby needs to learn to sleep alone, so put her to bed in her own crib rather than letting her share with you.
  • Share a room: Because the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) has been shown to be reduced when babies sleep in the same room as their parents, some national guidelines recommend that you have your baby sleep in the same room with you at least until she is six months old (and ideally until a year of age).
  • Settle into sleep: Put your baby down when she is sleepy but still awake. Once she knows the routine, she will start to fall asleep on her own. Let her learn how to settle herself once she is in her crib.
  • Clean crib: For safe sleeping, only your baby belongs in the crib. Do not give your baby a pillow, blankets, quilt, sheepskin, stuffed toys, or anything that can cause her to suffocate. Cover the mattress with a tight-fitting sheet.
  • Keep her comfortable: Check your baby’s sleeping area isn’t too hot or too cold. In general, your baby should be dressed in one more layer of clothing than you’re wearing.

Get it right at night

  • Take your time: Give your baby a chance to resettle or ‘self soothe’ before you rush in and you’ll help reduce the number of times she wakes up in the future. That’s good news for both of you!
  • Put the hugs on hold: If you’re checking on your baby, don’t automatically pick her up. Instead, rub her gently or sing a lullaby. Reassure her that you are there for her without rewarding every cry with a cuddle.
  • Think before you feed: You might assume that your baby is hungry every time she wakes up at night, but by four months she may be able to go five to six hours between feeds and could just be looking for comfort. Feeding your baby every time she wakes will actually make her nights less settled.
  • Stick with the crib: If you do need to feed or change your baby at night, don’t be tempted to bring her into bed with you afterwards. Always put her back in her crib so she gets used to falling back asleep on her own.

Sources

https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Back-to-Sleep-Tummy-to-Play.aspx (Accessed December 29 2016)

https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Preventing-SIDS.aspx (Accessed December 29 2016)

https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx (Accessed December 29 2016)

Related articles

View details Baby Allergies - 3 Facts Every Mum Should Know
Article
Baby Allergies - 3 Facts Every Mum Should Know

Baby Allergies - 3 Facts Every Mum Should Know

Most allergies develop at infancy, particularly food allergy and atopic dermatitis (eczema).

2 mins to read

View details Benefits of Eating Together – Build Strong Habits for your Baby
Article
Benefits of Eating Together – Build Strong Habits for your Baby

Benefits of Eating Together – Build Strong Habits for your Baby

Did you know? Studies show that the more often families share mealtimes, the more likely children are to have healthy diets and stay at healthy weights as toddlers.

2 mins to read

View details How to help a picky eater
Article
How to Help a Picky Eater

How to help a picky eater

Wondering how to help a picky eater? Developing a palate takes time. So we’ve prepared a menu of useful tips to help turn your picky eater into a food lover.

1 min to read

View details Signs of A Weakened Immune System & How You Can Help Your Child
Article
Signs of A Weakened Immune System & How You Can Help Your Child

Signs of A Weakened Immune System & How You Can Help Your Child

A strong immune system is the key for a healthy growing child. It gives them that extra protection to go on with their daily playtime.

4 mins to read

View details How many calories do mums who breastfeed need?
Article
As a breastfeeding mom, your body needs a lot of energy, hence calories.

How many calories do mums who breastfeed need?

It’s no surprise that your energy and nutrition needs go up when you’re breastfeeding. Choose healthy foods and beverages to get the extra calories and nutrients you both need.

3 mins to read

View details First Words And Language Development
Article
First Words And Language Development

First Words And Language Development

Hearing your little one say their first word makes you tingle with emotion and pride!  How can you help baby through these amazing changes?

4 mins to read

View details How much sleep does my baby need?  
Article
How much sleep does my baby need?  

How much sleep does my baby need?  

As a new parent, your baby’s sleeping habits are probably one of the first things you talk about with other new moms and dads. Here’s a rough guide of what to expect.

1 min to read

View details Exercise with toddlers: Clever mom hacks for hectic lives
Article
Exercise with Toddlers: Mom Hacks

Exercise with toddlers: Clever mom hacks for hectic lives

Some days, the last thing you probably feel like doing is exercise—particularly if you’ve had a sleepless night. But keeping active can do wonders for your physical and mental health.

2 mins to read

View details Signs your newborn’s hungry and signs he’s full
Article
Signs your newborn’s hungry and signs he’s full

Signs your newborn’s hungry and signs he’s full

When it comes to feeding your baby, how will you know when to start and when to stop? Simple—he’ll tell you.

5 mins to read

View details Baby Babble - What Does It Mean?
Article
Baby Babble - What Does It Mean?

Baby Babble - What Does It Mean?

Whether your baby is pedaling joyfully with their hands and feet, beaming from ear to ear, or crying as hard as they can in bed, they are obviously trying to tell you something. But what? 

3 mins to read

View details Top 3 tummy troubles in babies
Article
Top 3 tummy troubles in babies

Top 3 tummy troubles in babies

Because babies are born with immature digestive systems, they may experience episodes of colic, constipation, or spit-up during their first months.

3 mins to read

View details Working mom woes? Follow our tips for going back to work after a baby
Article
Going back to work after a baby

Working mom woes? Follow our tips for going back to work after a baby

If your family finances demand that you’re to become a working mom, you’re more than likely planning your return to work while navigating a rollercoaster of emotions—from feeling guilty and anxious

3 mins to read

View details Overfeeding newborn: look out for the signs
Article
Overfeeding your baby should not happen: look for the signs

Overfeeding newborn: look out for the signs

Did you know? Your baby was born with the natural ability to eat when he’s hungry and stop when he’s full.

2 mins to read

View details How Can I Make Sure My Baby Sleeps Well?
Article
How Can I Make Sure My Baby Sleeps Well?

How Can I Make Sure My Baby Sleeps Well?

The question on every new mom's mind is "when will my baby sleep through the night?"  There are some tips to help! 

5 mins to read

View details Baby Cruising - Milestones
Article
Baby Cruising - Milestones

Baby Cruising - Milestones

By now your little one is likely to have started to get the hang of crawling, and is probably well on her way to cruising.

2 mins to read

View details How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps
Article
How to be a confident parent

How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps

Becoming a new parent, and bringing your newborn home, is the most daunting experience to navigate.

4 mins to read

View details Best way to do tummy time for newborn
Article
Best way to do tummy time

Best way to do tummy time for newborn

Tummy time can start soon after you bring your baby home from the hospital. Just don’t expect too much. At first your newborn will struggle to lift her head even a tiny bit while on her stomach.

3 mins to read

View details Discover Your Child’s Allergy Risk
Article
discover your child allergy risk

Discover Your Child’s Allergy Risk

What is an allergy?

3 mins to read

View details Finding a sleep schedule that works for you and your toddler
Article
Finding a sleep schedule that works for you and your toddler

Finding a sleep schedule that works for you and your toddler

“How do I get my toddler to sleep?” is an age-old, universally asked question. Find out how other parents are doing it across the globe.

6 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