Baby Sleep: A Calm Routine and Safe Sleep Basics
restful sleep helps your baby grow, and it helps you too. every baby is different, but a calm routine and a safe sleep space make a real difference. here is what helps, from the bedtime routine to the safe sleep basics.
a calm bedtime routine
- same routine, same time: a warm bath, a song or a short book, then bed at the same time each night.
- keep nights quiet: during night feeds and diaper changes, keep the lights low and play to a minimum, so your baby learns that night is for sleeping.
- keep the room dark: blackout curtains or a dim night light help your baby link darkness with sleep.
- a soft, steady sound in the background helps some babies settle.
- a last feed before bed: a full tummy can help your baby sleep for longer stretches.
safe sleep basics
these are the recommendations of the German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) to lower the risk of sudden infant death:
- always put your baby to sleep on their back.
- use a baby sleeping bag with a snug-fitting top instead of a duvet, which can make your baby too warm.
- no large pillows, no loose bed bumpers and no soft mattresses that your baby sinks into.
- let your baby sleep in your bedroom, but always in their own bed.
- in the cold season, a bedroom below 20 °C is ideal; it is best not to heat it.
- keep cigarette smoke away from your baby.
your midwife or pediatrician is the best person to answer questions about your baby's sleep.
swaddles and sleeping bags
some babies settle better when they feel held. if you swaddle, leave room for the hips and legs to move, and stop as soon as your baby starts trying to roll over; your midwife can show you how. after that, a sleeping bag keeps your baby warm without loose blankets.
explore our sleeping bags and blankets and swaddles.
a rhythm that suits your baby
babies do well with regular days: naps, play and feeds at similar times help the nights too. noting down sleep, feeds and awake times for a few days shows you your baby's own rhythm. be patient: every baby finds their own pace.
