Helping your baby to sleep

0-6 Months Tips for Parents

Baby sleep tips that will change your life

Tips for more restful nights


Wondering if you'll ever get a good night's sleep again? Or how much sleep your baby needs? Turn your baby into a snoozing superstar with these expert baby sleep tips. From swaddling and soothing to establishing a routine, here are four ways to help your newborn fall asleep (and stay asleep) on their own – and let you catch some much needed Zs too.

Baby bedtime routine

Establish a bedtime routine during your little one's first month. Help your newborn to settle with sleep associations like rocking them in your arms, closing the curtains, swaddling or talking in a soft voice. Try using a baby sleep aid that plays white noise, soothing music or baby sleep songs. A predictable pattern that tells your baby it's time to wind down is best: Bath - Eat - Story - Time for bed. That's the winning routine to help babies sleep through the night.
Shop newborn soothers
Explore all Fisher-Price Soothers and Mobiles
View all

Sleep cues

Your baby will often try to tell you when it's bedtime. And if you don't act fast, you might miss their sleep window. A yawn says 'Hey, I’m sleepy', but there are other subtle sleep cues too. Red eyes and skin around eyebrows, blotchy cheeks, staring into space, tense body, and establishing a baby sleep routine starts with knowing what to look out for. Then you can move quickly and get your little one to bed – before they change their mind.

Settling baby into a healthy sleep routine

Once your baby's sleep cues appear, start soothing them straight away. Help your little one to settle with these simple sleep tips for newborns: put your baby in their crib as soon as they get sleepy or display any sleep cues, gently pat and shush to help them settle, and rock and comfort your baby if they fuss. Repeat these steps around 3-5 times for 20-25 minutes when you're establishing a newborn sleep routine. Now carefully exit the room backwards, on tiptoes, without making a single sound.
How to soothe your baby

Self-soothing baby

Night-time fussing doesn't always mean 'I'm hungry'. Give your baby time to self-soothe before lifting them out of the crib. Let them practice self-soothing in the daytime so that they can learn to fall asleep. These signs show that they're catching on: clasping hands, bringing hands and fingers to their mouth, snuggling into you, and mild fussing sounds. Following these steps means you're sleep training baby to help them drift back to sleep without you. Letting your little one self-soothe is a key component to helping them – and you – get a good night's rest.
Learn more

What about sleep regression?

At 6, 9 and 12 weeks, your baby has growth spurts that might affect their sleep. Expect more waking and feeding while their sleep schedule is interrupted. But don't worry, this doesn't last. Give your baby lots of extra snuggles before bed. Before you know it, they'll be less fussy and back to sleeping better. It's all part of establishing a solid routine to get your baby to sleep through the night.

Goodnight, little babe.

Discover all products from Birth to 6 Months

Sleep

Soothers & Mobiles

0-6 Months

Last Updated Dec 11, 2023

Related Articles

What to expect at 0-6 months

Your baby has arrived! Amidst the rush of emotions, the haze of nursing and b...

Ready, set, crawl!

When do babies start crawling? Find out what you can do to help your baby cro...