Understanding how babies sleep can help you get through those first few weeks and months where you're constantly asking, "How do you get a baby to sleep?!"

In the first few weeks of life, your baby and sleep will be well acquainted. If you can, try to sleep when your baby sleeps because you're likely to be tired from the birth and may even be a little irritable. You'll feel better when you get some rest so try to forget about household responsibilities like laundry and dishes or ask someone to step in and help.

Your Newborn Baby and Sleep

Some newborns sleep up to 21 hours out of the day, however some babies may sleep as little as 10 hours. In the first few weeks, your baby will go through cycles of eating and sleeping. Your baby has a very small stomach so he will need to eat frequently and will wake up often throughout the night to sleep.

Let your baby sleep as long as he wants and fall asleep whenever he wants to. Eventually your baby will sleep longer and have more awake periods in between naps. When your baby is asleep, very little can disturb him so don't worry about keeping quiet. One benefit of making noise when your baby sleeps is that he can become used to the noise and won't be disturbed by a noisy household later on.

How Babies Sleep During the Night and Day

At six months old, your baby will likely sleep 10-12 hours a night. He will also take two naps, each lasting about two to three hours. If you're wondering how to get a baby to sleep at night, there are a few easy things that you can do to help him know the difference between day and night. These include:

• Speaking in a quiet voice.
• Don't change the baby's diaper unless it's dirty.
• Keep off bright lights.
• Lie your baby down to sleep right after eating.

Developing a Routine

Your baby will sleep better with a set bedtime routine and it's never too early to start one! Learn more about baby sleeping habits and how to help your baby sleep through the night.