Q&A: How Can I Get My Baby to Sleep Well and Safely?

Here are a few tips to get your baby to sleep safely and soundly at night

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By Health Promotion Board in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, National University Hospital.

Everyone needs a good night’s sleep. But as all new parents know, that’s easier said than done! Daddies and mummies only sleep well when the baby sleeps well.

So what can you do to get the little one to sleep well, and through the night, waking up only for a night feed if needed?

1. As Different as Night and Day

Help your baby differentiate between day and night. During the day, have lots of interactive fun with your baby.

At night, reduce the amount of excitement. Keep the light in the bedroom dim, and talk to your baby in soft, gentle tones. This will help set your baby’s body clock so he knows when it’s time to play and when it’s time to sleep.

Related: Baby's Here! What's Next?

2. Set up a Routine

A simple, relaxing bedtime routine for your baby can do wonders. Half an hour before bedtime, put your baby in pyjamas after his bath, and read him a book, sing him a lullaby, or give him a calming massage. Once you’ve set a routine, your baby will know when it’s time for a good night’s rest.

3. Use This Sleep Position

Let your baby sleep on his back.

For babies under 6 months old, do not place blankets, pillows, cot bumpers, soft toys or other items in the crib, as this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Other steps to prevent SIDS

Do not let anyone smoke around your baby.
Let your baby sleep in your room, but not in your bed.
Breastfeed until he is at least 6 months old.
Make sure that the bedding is safe and secure.

Don't Worry!

Each baby is different and parents should not worry if their baby hasn’t started sleeping through the night yet. The duration of sleep also varies between individuals. The important thing is to establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. It shouldn’t be long before parents too, can get some well-deserved rest.

Read these next:

This article was last reviewed on Monday, March 8, 2021

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Here are a few tips to get your baby to sleep safely and soundly at night

<div class="ExternalClassA005004064F8467B9DC272DE63F071DF"><div><p>
         By Health Promotion Board in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, National University Hospital.</p><p>Everyone needs a good night’s sleep. But as all new parents know, that’s easier said than done! Daddies and mummies only sleep well when the baby sleeps well.</p><p>So what can you do to get the little one to sleep well, and through the night, waking up only for a night feed if needed?</p></div><div><h2>1. As Different as Night and Day</h2><p>Help your baby differentiate between day and night. During the day, have lots of interactive fun with your baby.</p><p>At night, reduce the amount of excitement. Keep the light in the bedroom dim, and talk to your baby in soft, gentle tones. This will help set your baby’s body clock so he knows when it’s time to play and when it’s time to sleep.</p><p>
         <strong>Related:
            <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1183/baby-babys-here-whats-next" title="Baby's Here! What's Next?">Baby's Here! What's Next?</a></strong></p></div><div><h2>2. Set up a Routine</h2><p>A simple, relaxing bedtime routine for your baby can do wonders. Half an hour before bedtime, put your baby in pyjamas after his bath, and read him a book, sing him a lullaby, or give him a calming massage. Once you’ve set a routine, your baby will know when it’s time for a good night’s rest.</p><p>
         <strong>Related:
            <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1600/9-must-have-items-for-your-baby" title="9 Must-Have Items for Your Baby">9 Must-Have Items for Your Baby</a></strong></p></div><div><h2>3. Use This Sleep Position</h2><p>Let your baby sleep on his back.
</p><p>For babies under 6 months old, do not place blankets, pillows, cot bumpers, soft toys or other items in the crib, as this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
</p><p>
         <strong>Other steps to prevent SIDS</strong></p><ul><li>Do not let anyone smoke around your baby.
</li><li>Let your baby sleep in your room, but not in your bed.</li><li>Breastfeed until he is at least 6 months old.</li><li>Make sure that the bedding is safe and secure.</li></ul><p>
         <strong>Related:
            <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/854/your-baby-smokes-when-you-smoke" title="Your Baby Smokes When You Smoke">Your Baby Smokes When You Smoke</a></strong></p></div><div><h2>Don't Worry!</h2><p>Each baby is different and parents should not worry if their baby hasn’t started sleeping through the night yet. The duration of sleep also varies between individuals. The important thing is to establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. It shouldn’t be long before parents too, can get some well-deserved rest.</p></div><div><hr /><p>
         <strong>Read these next:</strong></p><ul><li>
            <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1660/helping-baby-sleep" title="Helping Baby Sleep">Helping Baby Sleep</a>
</li><li>
            <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1158/pregnancy-first-days-of-our-lives-with-baby" title="First Days of Our Lives with Baby">First Days of Our Lives with Baby</a></li><li>
            <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1659/7-reasons-why-your-babys-crying" title="7 Reasons Why Your Baby's Crying">7 Reasons Why Your Baby's Crying</a></li><li>
            <a href="/live-healthy/1857/time-for-bed-chop-chop" title="Time for Bed, Chop Chop!">Time for Bed, Chop Chop!</a> </li><li>
    <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1195/baby-time-to-unwind" title="Time to unwind">Time to unwind</a>
</li>
      </ul>


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Monday, March 8, 2021

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HPB implements programmes that reach out to the population, specifically children, adults and the elderly. These programmes include health and dental services for school children, BreastScreen Singapore, AIDS Education Programme, CervicalScreen Singapore, Childhood Injury Prevention Programme, Mental Health Education Programme, National Myopia Prevention Programme, Physical Activity, National Smoking Control Programme, Nutrition Programme, Osteoporosis Education Programme, Workplace Health Promotion Programme, HPB Online, HealthLine, Health Information Centre and HealthZone. New programmes will also be initiated over time to address health concerns among the community.</div>