Tips for helping your baby sleep

The NHS suggests helping your baby learn that night is different from day (bright, active days; dim, quiet nights) and trying a simple, soothing bedtime routine such as a bath, fresh nappy, a story and a cuddle (NHS). For every sleep, follow the Lullaby Trust's safer sleep advice: lie your baby on their back, in a clear, flat, firm cot or Moses basket, in the same room as you for at least the first six months (The Lullaby Trust).

Every baby has their own sleep pattern, and newborns wake in the night because they need feeding. This page summarises NHS and Lullaby Trust guidance and adds a practical plan for sharing nights between parents. It isn't medical advice. If your baby is having problems sleeping or you're worried, speak to your health visitor or GP.

Last updated: 20 October 2026 · Based on NHS and Lullaby Trust guidance

Safer sleep, every sleep

From the Lullaby Trust's safer sleep advice, for every sleep, day and night, until 12 months (The Lullaby Trust):

Lie your baby on their back to sleep
Keep the cot clear: no pillows, duvets, bumpers, soft toys, pods or nests
Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress
Keep your baby smoke-free
Avoid your baby getting too hot; aim for a room temperature of 16 to 20°C
Sleep your baby in the same room as you for at least the first six months

The NHS also advises never sleeping on a sofa or armchair with your baby (NHS).

Teach night and day

From the NHS (NHS):

During the day

Open the curtains and play
Don't worry about everyday noise while your baby naps

At night

Keep the lights low
Talk quietly and not much
Put your baby down as soon as they've been fed and changed
Only change their nappy if they need it
Don't play

A simple bedtime routine

The NHS suggests a routine could include (NHS):

Keep the same steps whoever does bedtime, so it feels familiar to your baby.

Sharing the nights

The NHS suggests asking your partner to help with disturbed nights: if you're formula feeding, share the feeds; if you're breastfeeding, your partner could take over early-morning changing and dressing so you can go back to sleep (NHS). A simple way to agree it:

Decide who's "on" for which part of the night or which nights
Agree who does the early-morning change and dressing
Write down the bedtime routine, so either of you (or a grandparent) can do it the same way
Try to sleep when your baby sleeps
Review it every week or two, as your baby's sleep changes

How much sleep do babies need?

The NHS gives these averages over 24 hours, including naps, and notes that every baby is different (NHS):

Age	Average total sleep
Newborn	Around 18 hours, waking to feed
3 to 6 months	Some sleep 5 to 8 hours or longer at night, but not all
6 to 12 months	Some sleep around 15 hours, most of it at night
From 12 months	Around 12 to 15 hours

FAQs

Where should my baby sleep?

In their own clear, flat, firm cot or Moses basket, on their back, in the same room as you for at least the first six months, day and night (The Lullaby Trust).

When can I start a bedtime routine?

You can start a simple, soothing routine whenever it suits your family. The NHS says it may help your baby settle and is a chance for one-to-one time (NHS).

Is it normal for my baby to wake a lot at night?

Yes. The NHS says newborn babies wake repeatedly in the night for the first few months, usually because they need feeding (NHS).

Will starting solid food help my baby sleep through the night?

The NHS says starting solid foods won't make your baby more likely to sleep through the night (NHS Start for Life).

What temperature should my baby's room be?

The Lullaby Trust advises keeping the room between 16 and 20°C and using a room thermometer (The Lullaby Trust).

Every baby is different. If you're worried about your baby's sleep, check with your health visitor or GP. The Lullaby Trust also runs a baby safety helpline on 0808 802 6869.

Plan it in ParentDeck — start free

ParentDeck is a shared family organiser for both parents, so the routine works the same whoever's doing bedtime:

Routines: write the bedtime routine once, so both of you follow the same steps.
Partner sharing: both parents see the same routines and plans in real time.
Quick logs: note feeds and night wakings so whoever's on next knows what's happened.
Caregiver Pass: send grandparents or a babysitter the bedtime routine and safer sleep reminders in a couple of taps.

Start free

Want more? ParentDeck Pro is available as an upgrade.

Sources

NHS. Helping your baby to sleep.
NHS. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The Lullaby Trust. Safer sleep advice for babies.
NHS Start for Life. How to start weaning your baby.

ParentDeck guides are written to be practical, not medical advice. For health questions, speak to your health visitor, midwife or GP.