Sleep: Through the night?
The average three month-old infant will sleep seven to eight hours at a time. Thus, many parents expect their infants to sleep through the night by this age.
If your baby isn't sleeping through the night, consider...
- keeping him or her awake more during the afternoon and evening by playing with him or her
- increasing the amount of feeding just before bedtime
Sleep requirementsMost infants will sleep about 13 hours a day at three months of age, still taking at least one nap during the day. Yet some infants have much lower or somewhat higher sleep requirements than the average.
At about four to six months, many children may wake up at night crying or have other sleep problems.
Ending nighttime feedingsNighttime feedings take a lot out of parents. Most parents want to end them as soon as possible.
By four months of age most babies can go seven to eight hours without eating.
Bed-sharingMany parents wonder if they should take their infant to bed with them. However, it is recommended that that infants do not sleep in the bed with their parents.
The safest sleep position for almost all infants is on their back in a crib.
For parents who want to sleep with their baby nearby, a safe alternative is to have the child sleep in the same room in a crib.
Pregnancy Condition Center: Your newborn Return to "Volume 5: The third month" Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota: Parenting resources
Source: Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
First published: 05/07/2001
Last updated: 05/26/2006
Reviewed by: Robert Segal, MD, associate vice chief, pediatrics,
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
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