Babies: sleep

Baby sleep at 2-12 months: what to expect Baby sleep changes from 2-12 months. Babies need less sleep and sleep more at night. But many babies still wake at night and need help to settle. Read more. VIDEO: Baby sleep: parent tips Find out about baby sleep, learn what helps babies sleep and settle, and get tips for knowing when your baby is ready for sleep in our video. Tired signs in babies and toddlers When you spot tired signs in babies and toddlers, it’s time to settle them for sleep. Tired signs include jerky limb movements, grizzling and clinginess. Article available in: Arabic, Dari, Karen, Persian, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese. Sleep is important for health, wellbeing, growth and learning. How much babies, children and teenagers sleep and when they sleep changes as they get older. Baby sleep and settling at 3-6 months: tips Three things can help with baby sleep and settling at 3-6 months: make night and day different, put baby to bed drowsy but awake, and try a flexible routine. Responsive settling at 0-6 months: settling in arms, hands-on settling, verbal reassurance Responsive settling is responding to babies’ comfort needs while helping them settle and sleep. Strategies include settling in arms and hands-on settling. Responsive settling at 6-18 months: reducing settling help Responsive settling is responding to children’s needs for comfort while helping them settle and sleep. At this age, you gradually reduce help with settling. Positive bedtime routines: babies, children and teenagers Bedtime routines help babies, children and teenagers relax and feel ready for sleep. At all ages, a good routine involves calm, quiet activities before bed. Dummies: advantages, disadvantages and tips for use Dummies soothe some babies and help them settle. But dummies can be a hard habit to break, and babies also need help to manage them. Get tips for dummy use. Night weaning and phasing out night feeds: things to think about There’s no hurry to night wean or phase out night feeds, but it might be an option for formula-fed babies from 6 months and breastfed babies from 12 months. Children’s sleep and family holidays or travel Family holidays can affect when and how much children sleep. A balance of flexibility and routine can help kids handle jet lag and get the sleep they need. Bedtime fading: earlier bedtimes for babies and toddlers Bedtime fading is gradually making bedtime earlier. It helps children spend less time awake in their beds. Start with the time your child falls asleep now. A safe cot in your room is the safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6-12 months. This reduces SUDI risk and makes it easier to settle baby. Co-sleeping is when babies sleep on the same surface as another person. It has risks and benefits. There are ways to reduce risk and make co-sleeping safer. Kids sharing a bedroom with baby siblings Many older kids share bedrooms with baby siblings. It can help to have quiet time with your baby and keep siblings out of the bedroom while baby settles. Light, noise and baby sleep: frequently asked questions and answers Do babies sleep better in the dark? Should you use a night-light? What about music and white noise? This guide has the answers to these questions and more. Sleeping away from home without you: babies and children How can you help kids to sleep at child care and sleepovers? Stick with routines. It also helps to prepare your child by explaining what they can expect. Safe sleep environments for babies In a safe sleep environment, your baby sleeps on their back, on a firm, flat and level surface, in a space that’s clear, not too hot and smoke free. Article available in: Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Hakha Chin, Karen, Persian, Simplified Chinese, Swahili, Tamil, Vietnamese. Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), SIDS and fatal sleep accidents SUDI is a broad term that includes sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS and fatal sleep accidents. You can reduce risk by avoiding unsafe sleep environments. Reducing SUDI and SIDS risk: in pictures Reduce SUDI and SIDS risk by sleeping babies on their backs, creating a safe sleep environment and breastfeeding if you can. Get more tips in pictures. Safe cots, portacots and mattresses Safe cots and portacots meet the Australian Infant Sleep Products Safety Standard 2024. Safe mattresses are firm, flat, level, well-fitting and clean. Babies sleep well when they’re not too hot or cold. Dress babies in enough clothes to keep them warm without coverings, or try a safe infant sleeping bag. Baby airway protection during sleep, travel, play and feeding To protect baby airways, check face, nose, mouth, chin, neck, chest and tummy. Check airways in sleep and feeding environments, cars, prams and baby carriers. Baby breathing monitors: frequently asked questions Baby breathing monitors sound an alarm if a baby stops breathing. Health professionals can help you decide whether you need a baby breathing monitor. Baby and toddler sleep concerns: where to start Babies need sleep and comfort for healthy development. Our guide helps you work out how best to meet baby sleep and comfort needs, plus your own sleep needs. Baby sleep habits can affect the whole family. Our guide explains how to phase out sleep habits like dummies, music and rocking so you all get more sleep. Dummy independence: helping babies learn Dummy independence is when babies can put in dummies by themselves. This can be good if your baby settles with a dummy or needs help with the dummy at night. Camping out: baby and child sleep strategy Problems with toddler or baby sleep and settling? Camping out might help. This sleep strategy involves patting your child to sleep and gradually moving away. Body-rocking, head-rolling and head-banging at bedtime It can be upsetting to see your child body-rocking, head-rolling or head-banging in bed. It’s common, and children often do it as part of setting for sleep. Sleep and settling help for babies and toddlers Having problems with toddler and baby sleep and settling? Read how professionals can help with baby sleep, and find out where to get the help you need. VIDEO: Parenting support and resources Every parent needs support. This video explains where to get parenting support and help with issues like baby sleep and settling in the early days.