3 Month Old Sleep Habits

Updated on August 13, 2012
M.T. asks from Naperville, IL
4 answers

My son is almost 3 months old and i have two questions: 1. For napping, i put him asleep and he wakes up at the 30 min mark and i know he is still tired. So either i pic him up and put him back to sleep or i stand there and pat him or "shhhh"him to sleep. He sometimes goes back to sleep and will sleep for an hr or two, but most of the time he wakes up after a half hour. Not sure what im doing wrong. 2. He is still waking up once during the night to eat. He doesnt eat as much but he still eats. Ive tried to waiy and see if he will go back to sleep. But does anyone have and ideas on how to get him to start sleeping through the night??

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Most babies don't sleep through the night for a long time, some even to a year old. Some do get lucky and their newborns sleep all night but that is rare.

It may even be longer than that. One of my grand kids woke up every night until he was almost 2.

Little ones are supposed to sleep about 18 hours per day at times. They have a growth spurt and sleep all day then the next day are awake a lot more.

Just let him sleep when he needs it and he'll be fine.

1 mom found this helpful

B.M.

answers from Pocatello on

First of all let me say that a 3 month old that only wakes up once a night to eat is AMAZING! Count your blessings! And don't mess with it! When mom's say their babies sleep through the night they are usually talking about a 7 hour stretch. So do the math. Put a baby down at 8 pm and that means they wake at 3 am to eat. Then go back to sleep for a few more hours. Most babies don't actually sleep all night long until much older. By the time my kids are all 12 months they are finally sleeping for 8 pm to about 7 or 8 am. So just let him be and feed him when he does wake that 1 time. I'm sure at 3 months old he is hungry when he wakes.

As for naps. I always tried to have my babies on a nap schedule by the 3 month mark. It helped them to sleep better for their naps. So they usually took a morning nap about 2 hours after waking. That nap I keep shorter. Like 1 hour or 1 1/2. Then baby is up for a few hours then back down again for afternoon nap. I let my baby sleep as long as they like at this time. Usually 3 hours. Then wake until bedtime at 7 or 8. So make sure you are trying a nap schedule. Also at this time when babies are still so young they loved to be held or sleep in a swing, bouncy seat or whatever works. I say go with it! I always let my babies nap where ever they wanted at this young of an age and I never had a problem trying to break a "bad habit" later. Because as they get older they do sleep better and don't need the motion or closeness of Mom like they do in the new born stage. By the time my babies are around 6 months they sleep in their cribs no problem.

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with the others - if your 3 month old is getting up once on the middle of the night, you are lucky indeed! My son was a barracuda eater and was still getting up every 2-3 hours! Sleeping through the night is a developmental milestone (like walking) and if you've reached that at 3 mos, that is awesome. Bear in mind, sleep cycles can change - you may notice he may start waking more during growth spurts (for more feedings) or when he starts teething. Just hang in there! As for naps, just limit wakefulness to no more than two hours and keep trying with naps. Babies like to be close to mommies at that age so you could try cosleeping or baby wearing. My daughter used to konk out whenever I'd wear her in a sling :) Good luck! You are doing all the right things!

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

I would try the swing or bouncer, sweetpeace soother, etc. A lot of infants need to be moving to stay asleep for naps.

Once a night for feedings is great! I am down to once or twice a night with my 15 month old, so at 3 months you are doing great!

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