When should my baby go to sleep?
Discover what time works best for your baby or toddler. Play around with the bedtime in 10 to 15 minute increments to discover his or her “window of opportunity”. That is when your child is not overly tired, but tired enough.
Remember to compensate with an earlier bedtime if it was a bad nap day.
Keep in mind that your child has a natural awake and sleep rhythm, so be consistent with your bedtime – even on weekends!
How does lack of sleep affect mood and behaviour?
- Irritability
- Depression
- Exaggerated emotions
- Increased aggressive behaviour
- Behavioral problems
- Hyperactivity
What about the effect of lack of sleep on my baby’s health?
- Reduced physical performance of small and large motor skills
- Delayed recovery from illness
- Disruption in natural growth and development
How will lack of sleep affect learning?
- Impaired hand-eye coordination
- Memory lapses
- Lack of concentration
- Impaired memory
- Compromised decision-making processes
Be on the lookout for the following signs
- Losing focus or having poor concentration
- Becoming easily agitated or frustrated
- Decreasing the pace of his activities
- Fussing, whining, and getting cranky
- Lacking energy or losing interest in usual playtime activities
- Having tantrums
- Becoming hyperactive, wired, or wound up
- Quieting down, talking less
- Rubbing eyes or pulling at ears
- Looking glazed or acting distracted
- Becoming clingy, wanting to be held or carried
- Complaining of a headache or stomach-ache
- Yawning
- Lying down on the floor or a chair, or closing the eyes for long blinks
- Caressing a love (such as a blanker or stuffed animal)
- Asking to nurse or asking for a pacifier or bottle
How much sleep is needed?
| Age | Number of Naps | Total length of nap time hours | Night time sleep hours | Total of night time and nap time sleep |
| 0 – 3 months | 4 – 5 | 6 – 9 | 11 – 12 | 16 – 18 |
| 3 – 6 months | 3 | 3 – 5 | 11 – 12 | 15 |
| 6 – 12 months | 2 | 2 – 4.5 | 11 – 12 | 14 |
| 12 months | 1 – 2 | 2 – 3 | 11.5 – 12 | 13.5 – 14 |
| 18 months | 1 – 2 (usually 1) | 2 – 3 (usually 2) | 11.5 – 12 | 13 – 14 |
| 2years – 5 years | 0 – 1 | 0 – 2.5 | 11 – 11.5 | 11 – 13 |
*Credit to No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
Sleep tips
- No TV or stimulating activities at least two hours before bedtime,
- Make sure your little one falls asleep on his own, without you rocking him, sucking on a dummy or being fed to sleep.
About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za
About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za – See more at: https://all4baby.co.za/1-2-years/toddler-issues/605/sleep-can-struggle-weekends/#sthash.jMAd0Knz.dpuf
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published 13 May 2014
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