- During the first 3 months of your baby’s life, 2-3 hours of sleep alternate with short awake phases. In total, your baby will have about 5-6 sleep phases spread over 24 hours.
- Sleep patterns often become more steady at about 4-6 weeks. Most babies already sleep more at night than during the day: a beginning day-night rhythm is now noticeable.
- The development of the day-night rhythm is supported by a darkened and quiet sleeping environment and a fixed place for your baby to sleep at night.
- At 3-4 months of age, many babies fall asleep around the same time in the evening.
- At the age of 3-6 months, many children continue to wake up at least once a night. This is completely normal. Your child still needs one or more meals at night. Usually, there are 2-3 additional periods of sleep during the day. In the afternoon and evening, you will notice longer and more vigilant awake times.
- From around 6 months of age, many children sleep for 6 or more hours at a time at night, and wake up much less frequently. More than half of the parents report that their child usually wakes up only once per night. However, there are children who continue to be awake several times. During the day, your child continues to need some naps.
- From the age of 12 months, many children sleep better and wake up less often at night. You may notice that your child increasingly wants to stay up with you, even when he or she is tired. Most parents are familiar with such difficulties – they are usually temporary!
- At the age of 24 months only a few children wake up regularly several times a night.