It takes time for their sleep to settle into a regular rhythm. By beefing up your knowledge of baby sleep patterns now, you can better anticipate and ward off potential pitfalls down the road. To get a handle on your baby's cycle, keep track of when he's asleep and awake with our printable chart . Newborns sleep an average of 16 to 18 hours a day, and all children need plenty of shut-eye. Add your comments to the bottom of this page.
Babies usually start sleeping through the night sometime between eight weeks and six months of age.
Yes, that's a broad range, and much depends on your child's development and your behavior. You can help your child reach that milestone sooner rather than later by establishing healthy sleep habits from the start . Bedtime may also go easier if you follow a consistent bedtime routine or provide your child with a sleep aid such as a transitional object. And, if all else fails, be sure to see our article on last-ditch advice . I think my baby has a sleep problem.