All babies first have to get used to the new day-night rhythm. This takes some time. With parental support, falling asleep and sleeping through the night is easier. Here you will find advice and tips on how to help your baby.

In the first few weeks of life, the sleep and wake phases are still evenly distributed throughout the day and night. However, every child is different and babies need different amounts of sleep. Some children are often tired, others have great difficulty getting to sleep. Some sleep through the night early on, others take a little longer - and still others sleep through the night for a while and then suddenly stop. What parents need above all during this time is calm and patience.

• In the first few weeks, babies sleep an average of 16 to 18 hours a day, evenly spread over around 5 sleep phases. In between, they wake up every 2 to 4 hours, for example when they are hungry or looking for physical contact and closeness.
• At around 4 to 6 weeks, sleep patterns gradually become more regular. The baby slowly begins to adjust to a day-night rhythm. Over the next few months, the proportion of time spent awake and experiencing things increases and the night sleep phase is also extended.
• Babies need a little less sleep at 3 to 6 months and are sometimes awake for 5 hours at a time during the day. By around 6 months of age, many children develop a longer continuous sleep period of 6 hours.
• At the age of 12 months, sleeping through the night usually works quite well. The sleep time for 80 percent of babies is 6 to 8 hours.
• The daytime nap at lunchtime can last until the age of 3 or 4.

Up to 6 months of age, it is completely normal for your baby to wake up at night. Your child needs one or more feeds at night. After this time, babies can theoretically go the whole night without breastfeeding or a bottle. Many actually sleep through the night for 6 to 8 hours at this age. Others, however, need much longer, even beyond the age of 1. This does not mean that you as parents are doing anything wrong or that there is cause for concern.

Your baby falls asleep more easily when it is tired and feels comfortable and safe. You can support this by giving your child a sense of security and reliability. Maintaining a regular daily routine and the certainty of closeness and attention from parents make it easier for your child to fall asleep.

"Sleeping through the night" means that your baby sleeps for around 6 to 8 hours at a time. It is only able to do this at around 6 months. For parents, however, sleeping through the night is still a long way off: If you put your child to sleep at 7 pm, they will wake up for the first time around 3 am at the latest.

Here's what you can do to help your baby fall back asleep quickly:

• Encourage your baby's ability to self-soothe. To do this, limit night-time activities with your child to the bare minimum.
• Talk only in a low voice at night and turn on a dim light if necessary. Instead of lifting your child out of bed straight away, try to soothe them for a few minutes with your voice and physical contact (e.g. stroking, placing your hand on their back or stomach).
• Try to develop a feeling over time as to whether your baby is actually hungry or has become restless and awake "just like that".
• If he is hungry, it is good to feed him calmly, without fussing or playing with him.
• A baby does not need to be changed at night after every feed or bottle. If it does need to be changed, this should be done as calmly as possible, preferably in bed.
• A child does not need to be entertained at night - it is allowed to be a little bored.

• Let your baby sleep in its own bed in the parents' bedroom during the first year of life. Being close to you has a calming effect and promotes safe sleep. A separate room at this age is less advisable.
• Equip the sleeping area safely and ensure sufficient air circulation.
• In the first weeks and months of life, your newborn is best off in a cradle or bassinet. Because the sleeping area is not too big, it will feel cocooned and safe there.
• Your baby does not need a pillow in the first 12 months of life. You should do without one for safety reasons. This will prevent overheating or dangerous respiratory congestion. Cuddly toys can also restrict air circulation and cause heat build-up. If you want to put toys in the bed, attach them securely to the top of the bars.
• A sleeping bag is recommended instead of a comforter. This way, there is no risk of your baby slipping under the covers. It also prevents your child from struggling free during the night. You can calculate the correct length of the sleeping bag by subtracting the head length from the body length and adding 10 cm. The neckline should be small enough to prevent your baby from slipping in. The armholes should also not be too large so that the sleeping bag fits securely and does not slide up. Further information on baby sleeping bags can be found on the website of MAGS NRW.
• The mattress should be firm and breathable. A mattress that is too soft (maximum sinking depth 1.5 - 2 cm) can lead to overheating and rebreathing of stale air. Avoid waterproof pads or sheepskins - they prevent air circulation and increase the risk of overheating.
• Long mosquito nets, cloths or loose pads can also be dangerous, as your baby could get tangled up in them or pull them over their head.
• Always lay your baby on their back to sleep when they are 1 year old! This is the best sleeping position for your baby to breathe.
• Provide the right sleeping environment in the bedroom with little light and no noise.
• To ensure that your baby's head develops evenly, it should look to one side and then the other - ideally towards the light. It also helps to switch sides regularly when feeding and carrying your baby.
• Keep the bedroom temperature at 16-18 °C and ventilate regularly (2-3 times a day for approx. 10 minutes). Cold hands and feet are normal and say nothing about your body temperature. Feel between the shoulder blades - your baby should be warm there, but not sweaty.
• Do not put too much or too thick clothing on your child. A diaper, bodysuit and pyjamas are sufficient for sleeping; even less in summer.
• Studies show that a pacifier makes your baby's sleep safer. However, wait until breastfeeding is working well before introducing it. A pacifier should not replace a breastfeed. Breastfeed your baby first and only offer the soother afterwards. If your baby sleeps with a soother, it should be given regularly for sleeping. From the first birthday, it is no longer necessary and can be weaned off more easily than thumb-sucking.
• Make sure your child has a smoke-free environment - at night as well as during the day! Under no circumstances should your child sleep in a room where people smoke.

Lack of sleep can quickly push you to the limits of your ability to cope. But for parents of young children, a lack of sleep is hard to avoid. Read here how you can take advantage of small opportunities to get some rest and recharge your batteries.

• Inform yourself about the special features of infant sleep behavior so that you don't worry too much and thus better understand the stressful first period.
• Try to catch up on some sleep during the day. Sleep when your child sleeps and let your household be a household. This is especially true for single parents. As a couple, try to create space for each other to do this.
• If possible, take turns in caring for your baby at night. After weaning, the minimum for both parents should be 2 nights of sleep per week. Talk to each other about how this can be organized and reconciled with both parents' work schedules.
• If you live alone with your baby and have no one to take turns with at night, this time is of course particularly difficult. Take advantage of any help and relief you can get during the day.
• Use rest breaks to relax! Even if you don't want to or can't sleep during the day, you should use the breaks when your baby is asleep for your own relaxation. Consciously take this time for yourself and your needs to recharge your batteries.
• Especially with babies who are "short sleepers", help from relatives, neighbors and friends is important to get some much-needed rest during the day. Just an hour or two of taking your child for a walk with grandma or a friend can be a great help to recharge your batteries.
• A prolonged lack of sleep can lead to tension, irritability or listlessness. Therefore, in difficult phases, realize that some changes you notice in yourself or in contact with others are "only" due to a lack of sleep and that there is otherwise no cause for concern.
• Do not hesitate to seek professional help if you feel that you are at the end of your tether. There are now so-called early help services in all municipalities, which offer support in the event of particular stress in the first year of life.