Baby Rest:  Baby Sleep Requirements

A newborn baby needs a lot of sleep, and of course will require many feedings. 

Babies cry because they are hungry, or need a new diaper.  Or it could be

that the newborn will alert you because of a need for attention, and/or

affection.  You have to figure out which of these it is.

At the outset, it’s a bit challenging and you may not know why your baby cries.

But you will get better at it as time slips by, and you and the child will start

to settle into your respective routines

Babies napping regularly during the daytime will be better able to rest at night.

1 Month Old: Baby Sleep

A small infant will rub his eyes when he starts to get weary.  Thus if your little

baby isn’t getting adequate sleep, he will yawn; perhaps he’ll become fussy. 

If your 1 month old fusses, you may want to try the following: put him in a child 

seat and set him on the dryer on “Air” setting (you would not want him to

become overheated).  Needless to say, you'd want to monitor the infant, and

keep an eye on  him. The purpose of this is therapeutic – due to the fact babies 

often find the sound & rhythm to be calming.

(Note: Overstimulating a Baby at this tender age is not a good thing)

A Baby at 2 Months: 2 Month Old Baby Sleep

What is usual for a baby at 2 months? First of all, your 2 month old will now

be more alert and attuned to exploring his world. He may reach out for you,

wanting to touch you. This is natural; he now can see what is directly in front 

of him (which was not the case at 1 month old).  Additionally, your 2 month old

infant might be wont to stay awake and aware for longer periods. I am referring

to the daytime in this case. However, though he may exhibit this pattern, it may

not be something he exhibits all the time.  It depends. Another thing your infant

will now start to do is raise up his head and chest, to glance about and "survey his

surroundings".  He will do so while still on his stomach.

3 Month Old: Sleep Pattern

Try to keep to regular nap times during the day. If your baby naps 3 times a day,

then a mid-morning, early afternoon and late-afternoon nap is appropriate

for a baby with a 7:30 or 8 PM bed time.

When evening arrives, this often presents a challenge for families.  This is due to

the fact babies often grow tired toward suppertime, and then the mom (or dad)

is faced with deciding on whether to immediately put the child down or not.

It's perplexing. Should you let your infant go to sleep and risk not getting him

to fall asleep at bedtime? Or will you try and keep him awake throughout supper 

and perhaps put him to bed a bit earlier?  It's even more challenging during the

hollidays when relatives are visiting and want to spend time with the child.

Baby Sleep Requirements

Many parents may decide it’s best to keep baby awake just a little while longer, 

in the effort to try and establish a more regular bed time. Of course, if it has been

a very active, busy day for your infant you may give him a brief nap.  At holiday

time, this can often be the case.  Once you wake him up, let him play or

visit with the grandparents for a bit first - and provide him his final feeding -

then put him in his crib for the good night's rest.

It is essential to establish a routine as much as possible, so that as time goes by,
your wee one will start to get accustomed to a regular habit of sleeping all the
way through the night.