This depends on baby’s age, but usually more than you think. Newborns up to 1 month wont want to be awake for more than 30minutes to 1 hour, increasing every month by around 15minutes. There is an infant sleep needs guide, included in all of our plans to help you understand your baby’s sleep needs and support you in making positive changes to sleep.

As long as your baby has regained their birth weight and are thriving with no medical reasons to wake them, then there is no need to wake them. Unless the nap has reached around 3hours, as they wont want to go much longer than this without a feed, due to their tiny tummy. Also, by splitting the day into 3hours chunks or less you will begin to encourage your baby to take their longest stretches of sleep at night, instead of during the day.

Whenever you feel ready, it can be hard in the newborn days whilst you find your feet, but you can start to follow your baby’s awake window and encourage them to take the day sleep they need. Then from around 4weeks is a good age to gently start introducing a gentle routine, following awake windows and a little bedtime routine of bath, feed, bed. This consistent routine will begin to signal to your baby that bedtime will be soon, however, don’t fret about it being set in stone at this stage, it can take a bit of time to form a solid routine.

Absolutely, babies can be very noisy sleepers. Although, if they seem to be really struggling to settle whilst lying flat or are being sick, it may be worth looking into if they have reflux. You can tilt the crib so its on a slight incline and keep them upright for 20-30minutes following a feed to help with this. Seek advice from your health visitor if this does not help to ease their symptoms.

Again, very normal. Baby’s up to 4months of age have 2 sleep cycles, quiet sleep and active sleep. During active sleep they will fidget, make noises, even open their eyes, and may seem like they are stirring to wake, however, they are usually still sleeping.

In the first few months no, as long as it is safe (follow lullaby trust for safe sleep guidelines). Young babies tend to sleep anywhere, on you, in the pram, crib, car, sling, all naps count. However, you can start to gently work on them settling independently to sleep in their cot, with support from you, whenever you feel ready. Our 0-6month plans are perfect for guiding you through this process and will give you the confidence to succeed.

Lullaby trust advise the safest position for your baby to sleep is on their back towards the base of the crib.

Babies start to distinguish day from night at around 6weeks, but it can be earlier than this. We can encourage them to recognise the difference from around 2weeks of age, by exposing them to lots of daylight, keeping daytime noises normal e.g. hoovering, cooking in the kitchen, music, other children. Also, breaking daytime sleep into 3hour chunks, and keeping nights dimly lit, calm, and with little engagement from you.