Sleep Time

Baby Sleep Strategies: 7 Proven Tips to Sleep Through the Night

Proven Strategies to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

Getting your baby to sleep through the night is every sleep-deprived parent's goal. Alongside a consistent bedtime routine, the following baby sleep strategies can encourage longer, uninterrupted sleep.

Keep feed, play and sleep separate to teach self-settling.
Offer one last feed before bedtime for extra hours of sleep.
Stretch out the time between night feeds from 3-4 months.
Shorten night-time feeds gradually until they are dropped.
Don't rush to feed your baby the moment they wake.
Skip non-essential night-time diaper changes.

Keep Feed, Play and Sleep Separate

Keep these three steps separate by making sure feeding happens in your arms, play happens on the play mat and sleeping happens in the cot. This helps you recognise when your baby is tired and teaches your baby to settle themselves and sleep on their own, so they don't need rocking back to sleep at night.

Offer One Last Feed Before You Go to Bed

Before you turn in, try waking your baby for a late-night feed. Even a small amount of milk may give you an extra hour or two of sleep. If this backfires and your baby wakes more often, give them more milk at their last feed before bedtime.

Stretch Out the Night Feeds

By the time your baby is 3 or 4 months old, you can start stretching out the time between feeds. Add about half an hour between night feeds every other night, slowly extending the gap until your baby is ready to give up their night feed and sleep through the night.

Shorten Night-Time Feeds

Gradually reduce the amount of milk your baby drinks at night feeds until they're ready to give up this meal. Put a little less in the bottle or spend less time on each breast, decreasing the amount every night.

Don't Rush to Feed Your Baby

If your baby wakes up crying, wait a while before offering a feed. They might settle or fall asleep again. If crying grows insistent, try to soothe them with a quiet lullaby or pat them gently. When your baby realises waking won't lead to a feed, they're more likely to sleep through the night.

Skip Unnecessary Diaper Changes

Do away with diaper changes in the middle of the night unless your baby is in a complete mess. If you must change a dirty diaper, keep the lights dim with as little talking or interaction as possible, so your baby doesn't think it's time to wake up and party.

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FAQs on Tried and Tested Sleep Strategies

Establish a consistent bedtime routine and use proven strategies: keep feed, play and sleep separate, offer one last feed before bed, stretch out and shorten night feeds, don't rush to feed when they wake, and skip unnecessary diaper changes.

Keeping them separate helps your baby learn to settle themselves and sleep on their own. Feeding happens in your arms, play happens on the play mat and sleeping happens in the cot, so when they wake at night they don't need you to rock them back to sleep.

By the time your baby is 3 or 4 months old. Add about half an hour between night feeds every other night, slowly extending the gap until your baby is ready to give up their night feed and sleep through the night.

No, don't rush to feed your baby. Wait a while as they might settle or fall asleep again. If crying gets louder, soothe them with a quiet lullaby or by patting them gently. When they realise waking won't lead to a feed, they're more likely to sleep through the night.

No, skip night-time diaper changes unless your baby is in a complete mess. If you must change a dirty diaper, keep the lights dim with as little talking or interaction as possible so your baby doesn't think it's time to wake up.