7 Tips for Healthy Baby Sleep

How important good sleep is for health and well-being, we know from ourselves. All the more so for your baby, who is exposed to a multitude of new impressions every day. In deep sleep, it stores information, motor skills are strengthened, and movement patterns are consolidated. Additionally, its immune system regenerates, and the body produces important growth hormones. Therefore, for your baby to grow into a healthy and strong little explorer, good sleep is essential. In this article, we give you 7 tips to help your baby safely get through the night so they can explore the world again refreshed the next morning.

Introduce a sleep ritual

Newborns do not yet distinguish between day and night in their sleep patterns. However, most babies start to adapt to a recurring daily rhythm from around the 4th month. With a bedtime ritual, you give your baby structure and help them get used to the day-night change and regular sleep times. Depending on your child's age, the ritual may include singing a lullaby, reading a story, cuddling, or playing a music box. Most importantly, it should create a calm, relaxed, and loving atmosphere for your baby. You can find a suitable playlist with soothing songs for falling asleep on our Spotify channel.

Use a sleeping bag instead of a blanket

Even if you want to make your baby’s bed as cozy and comfortable as possible, you should avoid as your child could accidentally pull them over their head or sink into them, making it difficult to breathe. Instead, your baby sleeps warm and safe in a sleeping bag, which also has the advantage of not being kicked off. There are both cozy, insulated sleeping bags for winter and lighter options for summer. You can also opt for a year-round model that – combined with the right clothing – is suitable for almost any season. Newborns especially often feel particularly secure in a sleeping bag, as the limited legroom reminds them of the tightness in the womb. As a rule of thumb for the optimal sleeping bag size: the length from your baby’s feet to their shoulders plus 10 cm. The opening should not be larger than your child’s head circumference.

Don't dress your baby too warmly

Of course, parents do not want their baby to be cold at night. For this reason, many moms and dads tend to their child too warmly. The problem with this: the body's own cooling mechanism, sweating, is not yet fully developed in little ones. As a result, they cannot independently regulate the excessive temperature, leading to a risk of overheating. Additionally, babies often simply continue sleeping if they are too warm. If your baby is cold, it will probably let you know loudly by crying. ;)

In the colder months – in addition to the sleeping bag – a diaper, underwear, and a long-sleeved sleep suit are usually sufficient as sleepwear. In summer, a short-sleeved bodysuit is usually enough alongside the sleeping bag. Since excess heat is released through the head, you should avoid putting a hat on your baby in bed.

Ensure the correct room temperature

In addition to clothing, the right room temperature also contributes to your baby's nightly comfort. The optimal room temperature for your baby at night is between 16°C and 18°C. If your child has cold hands or feet, it does not automatically mean that they are cold. To check if your baby is cold, you can instead feel in the neck or between the shoulder blades: if the skin there is warm and dry, you can assume that your baby is comfortable with the temperature.

Lay your baby on their back

During the first year of life, you should always place your baby on their back to sleep. In this position, they can breathe best, and the risk of suffocation is also proven to be lowest when lying on the back. During the day, when they are awake, your child can comfortably lie on their stomach from time to time. This way, the abdominal, neck, and back muscles are strengthened, and your baby is already being prepared for sitting.

Create a safe sleeping environment

In the first year of life, your baby is best kept in a separate crib in the parents' bedroom. Scientists suspect that the sleeping sounds of the parents stimulate the infant's breathing. Even if you want to be as close to your baby as possible, you should not let it sleep in your own bed. There is a risk of overheating or covering the child with blankets. Additionally, your baby can sink into the softer mattress, which may restrict airflow. On the other hand, in its own bed with a firm mattress, a sleeping bag, and without pillows or large stuffed animals, it is safely cared for. In the first weeks and months, babies feel especially secure in a cradle or a bassinet, as the sleeping space is not too large. An option is also a co-sleeper crib placed directly next to the parents' bed. If you want to use a crib with bars from the beginning, you can visually limit it so that your little one does not feel lost.

Promote a calm sleeping environment

Nighttime diapering can disturb both you and your baby from sleep. Therefore, avoid bright lights when changing diapers at night and create a cozy atmosphere, for example with a string of lights or a dimmable lamp, so that your baby can fall asleep again quickly. Generally: after a bowel movement and if your baby's clothing is soaked, you need to change the diaper even at night. However, if there is only urine in the diaper, you only need to change it if your baby is suffering from a . It is best to put a fresh diaper on your little explorer right before bedtime. With the right choice of diaper, you can also prevent leaks: are especially absorbent and adapt to every nocturnal movement of your baby.

More tips about healthy baby sleep are provided by LILLYDOO pediatrician Ariane in the video:

If Arianes tips were helpful for you and you want more information about everyday baby life and parenthood, subscribe to our You will receive expert advice and other information suitable for your baby's age directly in your inbox every two weeks.

Of course, some restless nights are unavoidable with a baby or toddler. However, we hope that our tips help ensure that such nights remain the exception, and we wish you and your baby healthy and restful sleep!