6 stages of sleep development for children from 0 to 3 years old

The article was consulted with Specialist II Chung Thi Mong Thuy - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatal, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Each child's sleep development is very different. Some babies can sleep through the night as young as 8 weeks, while others are not ready even after many months of age. So specifically, how do the stages of sleep from birth to age 3 develop?

Total sleep time is about 16 - 18 hours per day.
At this stage, your baby will sleep continuously for the first few weeks, waking up every few hours to feed. While this schedule can be tiring, it's essential to keeping your baby's tiny tummy full. At 6 - 8 weeks old, babies start to sleep more at night, and you are resting a little more comfortably.
Safety note: To reduce the risk of SIDS infant death and suffocation, experts recommend that your baby lie on his or her back in a crib or flatbed, without extra padding, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals cotton or anything else until the baby is 1 year old.
Sleep training plans you can use:
Teach the difference between day and night Keep the house bright during the day and play when your baby is awake. There is no need to reduce the sound of common noises like cooking or talking. At night, let your baby know it's time to get ready for bed by turning off the lights, using dim lighting, speaking in a soft voice, staying quiet, and doing gentle activities.
Know when to change diapers Keeping the bottom area dry will help your baby sleep longer. To do this, it is recommended to use a high-quality diaper at night and change the diaper according to the instructions of the moisture indicator on the outside of the diaper.
Create a bedtime routine A fixed nightly routine helps babies relax and get ready for sleep. From day one, do simple, peaceful cuddles before putting your baby to sleep like lullabies and goodnight kisses.

Total sleep time is about 15 - 16 hours per day.
As babies get a little older, they have more predictable sleep and wake habits, with about 3 naps during the day. At 3 months, some babies can sleep 6-8 hours straight at night. By 6 months, many babies sleep for 8-12 hours continuously.
Baby sleep care plans at this stage:
Choose the right diaper Do not let wet diapers wake your baby in the middle of the night. You can choose diapers with three layers of protection to help absorb liquid, dry skin and keep your baby's sleep cycle comfortable.
Choose the right sleep-wake time for the child's physiology: Choose the right nap time and nighttime sleep for the child, and follow them as strictly as possible. A fixed bedtime routine will help your baby get the rest he needs.
Try sleep coaching If you want to train your baby to fall asleep on their own using expert-recommended strategies, 4-6 months of age is a good time to start.

Children will tend to sleep through the night more and sleep more deeply at night, and children will no longer wake up asking for food as much as before because at this time, the child's body can maintain its own nutritional needs throughout the night 7-8. hours, or more.
However, because during this period, children develop many new skills, making it easier for children to wake up at night more often, and at the same time, it is more difficult to fall asleep when they wake up, because they can control their activities. better movement of the body, as well as easier to move the body.
Total sleep time is about 14 - 15 hours per day.
At the same time, pain during teething and milestones in the development of new skills (such as sitting and crawling) can also disrupt your baby's sleep cycle.
Sleep training plans you can apply:
Set your child's biological clock You can wake your child up if he wakes up later than usual. Sticking to a fixed schedule is a good way to maintain healthy sleep habits.
Establish a bedtime routine Create a simple bedtime routine if your baby hasn't already. For example, listen to 1-2 stories or lullabies before going to bed, and a good night kiss.
Move the bassinet away from the wall Some babies find it easy to flail around in the crib, making sounds when the crib repeatedly hits the wall. You don't need to prevent your baby from doing this, instead check the crib periodically to make sure it's sturdy.

Total sleep time is about 14 hours per day.
Most babies this age have 2 naps a day (morning and afternoon), each lasting 1-2 hours and 70-80% of babies are able to sleep through the night. If your baby has trouble sleeping and is fussy when you're not around, try to reassure her gently, but minimize the number of visits, especially holding her. Over time, your baby will get used to self-soothing and get through this stage without depending on you.
Newborn sleep training plans :
Switch to an earlier bedtime There is a paradox that the more tired and tired your baby is, the more likely he is to refuse to lie down at bedtime. Try putting your baby to bed 30 minutes earlier to help him sleep better.
Put your baby to sleep Put your baby to bed when he's just drowsy, not just falling asleep. This can help your baby sleep better during the day and night, and stay awake enough to learn to fall asleep on their own. If the baby cries, do not rush to visit immediately. Wait a few minutes to see if your baby is really upset or just fussing a bit and then calm down.
Watch out for teeth grinding More than half of children grind their teeth, mostly during deep sleep cycles, making annoying noises. While it's unlikely to hurt your child's teeth, talk to your doctor about it during regular checkups.

Total sleep time is about 13-14 hours per day.
At 12 months, your baby may still be taking 2 daytime naps, but by about 18 months most babies give up their morning nap and take an afternoon nap instead. Many children still nap until they are 4-5 years old.
After your child's first birthday, you can let your child bring a doll, blanket or soft bear to bed with. Be careful to choose safety toys that do not have buttons or other small objects that may pose a choking hazard.
Sleep plans:
Lower the mattress If your baby tries to climb out of the crib, put the mattress to the lowest position and place extra pillows on the floor just in case. If your baby climbs out frequently, it may be time to move him to bed.
Deal with head banging Many young children hit their own heads while lying in the crib to comfort themselves. While this may seem odd, it's usually harmless, and you don't need to stop your baby. Instead, be sure to check the crib regularly if it's loose, and discuss it with your doctor if concerns persist.

Total sleep time is about 11-14 hours per day.
A 2-year-old may still nap for a few hours in the afternoon, but will soon transition from crib to bed.
Children who are aware of their surroundings may begin to develop fears at this stage, such as fear of being alone in the dark and fear of monsters under the bed. If your child has had a nightmare and is startled, visit him immediately and find ways to comfort him, help him calm down, and get back to sleep faster.
Sleep Strategies:
Create a bedtime routine Read, tell stories, or say good night to everything in the room. Stay in a good mood to help your baby fall asleep more easily.
Switching from crib to bed When your baby is not used to sleeping in bed, he may get out of bed many times. Stay calm and just get your baby back to bed. When your child sleeps peacefully in bed all night, remember to praise her the next morning.
Taking care of babies and young children is never easy, especially for first-time parents. Children not only need to be provided with adequate nutrition but also have to ensure scientific sleep for comprehensive development.
10 reasons why mothers choose to have their children vaccinated at Vinmec
Pediatrics department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining children's psychology and diseases that babies as well as children Children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children,... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.

Reference source: babycenter.com