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Possums Baby Sleep 101


  • Introduction to this brief & simple section of The Possums Baby Sleep Program
  • Key things to know about babies' sleep
  • The dial on your baby's nervous system
  • Babies' sleep needs
  • Differences in babies' sleep
  • Normal baby night waking
  • Night waking in babies - how much is too much?
  • Babies' body clock
  • Babies' sleep pressure
  • Babies need sensory nourishment
  • Babies' bedtime
  • Feeds and cuddles help babies sleep
  • Babies and sleep safety
  • Key steps to help with babies' sleep
  • Set a regular wake-up time for your baby
  • Baby sleep superpower #1: milk = sleep
  • Baby sleep superpower #2: rich stimulation = sleep
  • Let your baby nap on the go
  • Active evenings help babies' night sleep

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  • Possums Baby Sleep 101
  • S1: Possums baby sleep 101 (brief & simple)

Babies' sleep needs

Dr Pamela Douglas9th of Jul 202317th of May 2024

aboriginal mother holding her sleeping baby on chest and shoulder

This page is part of a collection of short articles called Brief & simple, which together make up a quick summary of The Possums Sleep Program in plain language. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Sleep research tells us that we can't teach babies to sleep. Sleep is like breathing or making juices in your stomach. It's not under your control or your baby's control. What's very important is to know how to look after the things that keep your baby's sleep healthy. Then your baby's sleep looks after itself and becomes so much easier to manage.

We can trust a baby's body to take the sleep they need without you having to try hard.

What matters is how best to enjoy the days for your (or your older children) outside the home, with baby being a part of this and fitting in.

Acknowledgements

I'm grateful to Professor Sophie Havighurst, Ros June, and Caroline Ma at Mindful, The University of Melbourne, for their feedback on the articles in the Brief & simple section of The Possums Sleep Program. They helped me keep the language plain and the concepts as accessible as possible. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Recommended resources

What is sensory motor nourishment and why does it help with baby sleep?

Plan enjoyable days outside the home to help with baby sleep

Go for lots of walks when you're caring for a baby or toddler

What is a self-compassion ninja?

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Next up in Possums baby sleep 101 (brief & simple)

Differences in babies' sleep

baby happily sleeping on back in blue striped pajamas

This page is part of a collection of short articles called Brief & simple, which together make up a quick summary of The Possums Sleep Program in plain language. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Some babies need a lot of sleep. But only nine hours sleep total in 24 hours is normal for other babies, even as newborns. And the amount of sleep your baby needs decreases throughout the first year of your baby's life.

…
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