El baby sleep it often becomes a concern for new mothers and fathers. Wondering if you are getting enough sleep and worrying when, after a few weeks of good sleep, you wake up agitated at night, it is usual. As is doubtful about what time a baby should go to bed.
What time should a baby go to bed? It is a question that first-time mothers and fathers ask themselves and that they end up answering by talking to other more experienced mothers and fathers. Because although there is not an ideal time for all children, there are indicative hours that help to respect the sleep cycle of the little ones and that it is advisable to follow. And today we share them with you.
What time should a baby go to bed?
For a child to sleep well, it is necessary to create a sleep routine, especially after four months. At this age, babies begin to differentiate day from night, so it is interesting for them to get used to go to bed when the light falls.
Child development experts warn that the ideal would be to put children to bed around 20:30 p.m. in winter and at 21:30 p.m. in summer. Although it is not so important to stick to a specific time as to the routine that it always happens at the same time. Because? Because if we go beyond their time, we run the risk that they will become active and then it will be more difficult for them to fall asleep.
Factors that can influence bedtime
Adjust to sunlight and natural sleep cycle It is ideal but not always possible. There are many factors that can make putting the baby to bed at that time is not easy. And it is that not all children sleep in the same way and not all adults have the same schedules and obligations.
Among the factors to note that could influence a baby's bedtime are:
- the dream windows. Respecting the space between them is essential so that they arrive rested at night and can sleep better. Because no, it is not true that the more tired they get at night the better they will sleep. So while with four months it is important to respect sleep windows between 1:30 and 2:30, at 10 months you will be between 3 and 4 hours, the last window before going to bed extending to four hours.
- The child himself. Each child has a different rhythm, as do adults. Baby larks go to bed and get up earlier while baby owls go to bed and get up later.
- Adult schedules. For work reasons, many adults are forced to get up early and wake up the baby very early, which will probably also force them to go to bed earlier.
Approximate hours month by month
Respecting the natural sleep cycle as far as possible and creating a routine are important to facilitate the sleep of the baby or child. And although there is no single correct way to do it, below we share with you as a guide what time a baby should go to bed, according to age:
- less than four months: They sleep all the time with 45-90 minute windows and eat on demand.
- Between 4 and 8 months: Around 20:30 p.m. 2:30-3h after the last nap.
- Between 8 and 12 months: Between 20-21h. About four hours after the second nap of the day. Babies at that age sleep an average of 14 hours a day.
- More than 12 months: Between 20:00 p.m. and 21:30 p.m., always between 4 hours (12 months) and 5-6 hours (18 months) after the nap. In total, a child of that age should sleep around 12 hours.
- More than 3 years. Depending on what time they have to get up and taking into account that many no longer take naps, they should be able to sleep between 10 and 12 hours.
Establish a sleep routine
At bedtime, it is essential to establish a sleep routine so that children know when the time comes to go to bed. This does not ensure that they will sleep through the night, but it does provide them with that order and peace of mind that everything is fine that every child needs.
This routine could include a relaxing bath, a hot dinner, a story or lullaby, and a good night. The important is create a relaxed atmosphere and do not excite the baby with physical games and noises that activate it again.
Repeating the same sequence every day at approximately the same time is essential for the little ones. Knowing what a baby should go to bed and how many hours he should sleep is important, but the routine is even more important.