Is my baby’s sleep normal?
Babies need help to fall asleep through feeding, movement (like rocking) or touch (like a cuddle or massage).
Newborn babies also do not know night from day. Melatonin in breastmilk helps babies sleep more at night until they start to make this sleep-inducing hormone themselves. Bottlefed newborn babies do not have access to this melatonin. Regardless of how you feed your baby, it can take several months for them to develop a sleep pattern with longer stretches at night.
Could feeding butter do any harm?
The social pressure around baby sleep can add stress and anxiety for new parents. So the Tiktok trend about feeding babies butter may seem tempting.
But giving babies any solid food before they are around six months old is not recommended. Babies’ digestive systems are not ready for solid food until they are around six months and feeding them before this can cause constipation or make them more likely to catch an illness. For this reason alone, you should not give your young baby butter.
What else can I try?
Waking overnight doesn’t necessarily mean a baby is hungry. And stopping breastfeeds or bottle feeds overnight doesn’t necessarily reduce night waking.
Your baby could be too hot or cold, or need a nappy change. But some babies continue to wake at night even without an obvious problem.
Look after yourself
If you’re missing out on sleep at night, try to have small naps during the day while your baby sleeps. Ask friends and family to do some chores to allow you to nap.
Some helpful resources
If you think your baby is not sleeping well because of a breastfeeding problem, the Australian Breastfeeding Association has a national helpline. The association can also advise on co-sleeping.
The charity Little Sparklers provides peer support for parents, including someone to chat to, about baby sleep. It also has helpful resources.
UNICEF has resources about caring for your baby at night. And the UK-based Baby Sleep Info Source (Basis) provides evidence-based information about babies and sleep.
Conclusion
The good news is that babies do eventually get the hang of sleeping at night.
Remember, it’s normal for babies to wake at night, and it’s not a reflection of their needs or your parenting. Focus on building a strong, loving relationship with your baby, and be patient as they develop their own sleep patterns.
FAQs
Q: What is the normal sleep pattern for babies?
A: Babies need help to fall asleep through feeding, movement, or touch, and it can take several months for them to develop a sleep pattern with longer stretches at night.
Q: Is giving my baby solid food before six months okay?
A: No, babies’ digestive systems are not ready for solid food until they are around six months, and feeding them before this can cause constipation or make them more likely to catch an illness.
Q: How can I get help with my baby’s sleep?
A: Try to have small naps during the day while your baby sleeps, ask friends and family to do some chores to allow you to nap, and consider resources like the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Little Sparklers, UNICEF, and Baby Sleep Info Source (Basis).
