Tips for Helping Sleeping Disorders in Babies

Sleeping disorders in babies are not as common as with adults, but they do exist. Here are some suggestions on how to recognize and deal with your baby's sleep disorder.

First, by about age 3-6 months, your baby should be sleeping about ten hours per night with three to six hours of daytime napping. If your baby's patterns don't conform to this standard, he/she may have a sleep disorder.

To help your baby sleep better, consider reducing nighttime nursing after six months. Before age 6 mos., babies will need to eat at least every six hours, which will probably require nighttime feedings.

Additionally, you may employ the "Ferber method" for getting your baby to go back to sleep on his/her own. You can do this by waiting longer and longer before you go in to comfort your baby after he/she wakes up. Don't try this method until your baby is 12-18 mos.