This is what your baby’s sleep cycle looks like
So, your baby has significantly shorter sleep cycles and goes through this cycle more times than you. Between each cycle you will typically be awake for a short period of time (20-30 seconds). Adults often just fall back asleep and start a new sleep cycle without noticing the brief awakening.
However, babies might have a difficult time transitioning directly to the next sleep cycle with the risk of the baby waking up several times during the night. Below you will find a description of your baby’s most important sleep developments from newborn to the age of 1.
Your baby’s sleep routine from 0 – 12 months
Newborn (0 months)
Your newborn has no fixed sleep pattern.
His/her sleep does not depend on night and day but is determined only by his/her need for food and comfort. However, the sleep rhythm from the time in the mother’s womb might influence your newborn’s current sleep pattern.
If your baby wakes up at night and does not want to go back to sleep, there in not much you can do about it. The brain simply is not developed enough for it to be possible. From 0-2 months your baby sleeps 16-17 hours during the day and you cannot influence the sleep pattern at this age.
3 months
At this age your baby becomes more aware of where he/she is as well as the surroundings. This considered it can be more challenging to get your baby to fall asleep. Overall, your baby will sleep significantly less than he/she did as a newborn. At this age the hormone production (melatonin, cortisol) begins to form slowly and gradually, which slowly develops the possibilities of creating specific sleeping habits. Therefore, it’s not until your baby is 3-4 months old you can benefit from establishing a bedtime routine.
6 months
At 6 months you may notice a structured sleep routine. Your baby will likely sleep more at night than during the day and for longer periods at a time. Simultaneously, your baby will start being more active during the hours he/she is awake.
At night you may notice that your baby sleep more restlessly and moves more around in his/her sleep. This is completely normal and often you can help your baby back into a comfortable sleeping position.
9 months
I denne tid vil dit barn formentlig begynde at kunne sove på mere faste tidspunkter. Dit barn vil sandsynligvis være mere aktiv både i de vågne timer, men også når de sover. Du vil måske opleve, at dit barn sover meget uroligt, og at det måske både vil grine og græde i søvne, og at de derfor har brug for dig, også når de sover. Dit barn vil begynde at drømme i denne tid, hvilket kan medføre disse mere aktive søvnmønstre.
12 months
When your child reaches its first birthday the daytime naps will gradually decrease to about 2-3 hours. He/she will be awake most of the day and becomes more active crawling/walking around. The more active daytime hours will be reflected in the nighttime sleep and your baby still needs to feel you care.
TIP: We recommend you also read our article "Mental Leaps" så du kan blive endnu klogere på din baby.