Infant sleeping on his back.

Infant Sleep and Sleep Habits

Home Health and Wellness Babies and ToddlersInfant Sleep and Sleep Habits

Healthy Babies Healthy Children

A home-based visiting program for Durham families

Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) is a home-based visiting program for families. Families that qualify are paired with a public health nurse and family visitor. You pick goals you would like to focus on during the program and create a plan together. Anyone can self-refer for our services. For eligible families, this may include a referral to our home visiting program.

Learn more about the HBHC program

Sleep is important to your baby's growth, development and learning. Good sleep habits start from birth.

Creating a safe sleep environment

Creating a safe sleep environment lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The safest place for your baby to sleep is on its back in a crib, cradle or bassinet.

Safe sleep tips

These tips will help you put your baby to sleep and can lower the risk of SIDS:

Always put your baby on its back to sleep.
Put your baby in a crib, cradle or bassinet in your room for their first six months.
Do not use baby swings, car seats or strollers for sleeping.
Dress your baby in a one piece sleeper.
Remove all comforters, heavy blankets, quilts, toys and bumper pads from your baby's sleeping area.
Keep the room temperature comfortable.
Keep your home smoke-free.
Breastfeed your baby.

Bedsharing risks

Bedsharing means sleeping on the same surface as your baby. Adult beds are not safe sleeping surfaces for babies.

Remember, the safest place for your baby to sleep is on their back in a crib that is close to your bed. Never sleep with your baby on a couch or in a chair.

Risks of bedsharing:

Your baby can fall off the bed.
Your baby can get trapped between the mattress and wall, or the mattress and bedframe.
You can roll over onto your baby. This is more likely especially if you are tired, or if you use substances such as alcohol, drugs or medicine.

For more information on safe sleep visit the Canadian Paediatric Society's website.

Sleep habits

In the first few months, your baby's sleep patterns are not regular. Some babies will sleep for a few hours and wake up when they are hungry. It is normal and healthy for your baby to wake up during the night to feed. After three months, your baby may start sleeping longer at night.

The Canadian Pediatric Society suggests how many hours of sleep your baby needs each day. It is important to remember this is a guide. Every baby is different and will have different sleep habits.

How many hours of sleep does your baby need?

Birth to two months old: 16 to 18 hours.
Two to six months old: 14 to 16 hours.
Six to 12 months: 14 hours.

Tips to help your baby sleep

Know when your baby is tired. Look for signs such as yawning or rubbing their eyes.
Daytime naps are important to make sure your baby gets enough sleep.
Create a bedtime routine, such as a bath or reading a book.
Put your baby to bed before they fall asleep, they will learn to fall asleep on their own.
Keep night time quiet and the lights dim.
When your baby is crying, provide comfort; you cannot spoil a baby.
An overtired baby has more trouble sleeping.
Remember that every baby is different.

Bedtime routines

Bedtime routines are a good way to help your baby learn when it is time to sleep. The routine should be fun for both you and your baby. Here are some examples:

Give your baby a bath.
Breastfeed your baby.
Read your baby a story.
Sing to your baby.
Give your baby a massage.

Read more about healthy sleep for your baby.

Infant sleep resources

Learn more about safe sleep with:

Best Start: Sleep Well, Sleep Safe
Public Health Agency of Canada: Safe Sleep for Your Baby
Health Canada: Is Your Child Safe? Sleep Time Guide
Understanding Infant Sleep - A guide for parents and caregivers

If you are concerned about your child's sleep, talk to your health care provider.