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Sleepy, squeaky,
sweet-dreams…

Baby Sleep Guide

At JoJo, we understand how important it is to have trustworthy advice, especially when it comes to something as crucial as sleep. This is why we have written this blog post in collaboration with the award-winning Sleep Consultant and Franchisor, Jenna Wilson, from Little Dreams Consulting, who brings years of expertise in helping families develop healthy sleep habits for their children.

Wind down and snuggle up... to dreamland we go-go. A baby’s day is full of discovery, learning and endless fun - a good night’s sleep is essential for helping little ones process these adventures. Sometimes, however, we know babies can be little sleep-stealers... So if you need a little bit of pick-me-up advice, or want to understand more about baby sleep from around 4 months old and up, JoJo has teamed up with sleep expert Jenna Wilson, to share her top tips on baby sleep.

The Benefits of Sleep

From promoting growth and development to maintaining a healthy weight and fighting off germs, many important factors of your little ones’ health can be impacted by sleep.

Sleep expert, Jenna Wilson, knows a whole lot about little sleepers…

Growth & Weight

You’re not imagining it—your baby practically does grow overnight. As your baby develops, they’ll experience several growth spurts, doubling their birth weight by 5 months and tripling it by age 1. Sleep is crucial during this time, as growth hormones are most active during rest. Research also shows that a lack of sleep can disrupt the hormone leptin, which signals fullness, leading to cravings for high-fat or high-carb foods.

Boosting Immunity

Sleep is vital for a baby’s immune system. A baby’s recovery from illness can be affected by sleep deprivation, which can make them more prone to disease and infection. They can also lose quality sleep and their sleep cycle can be disrupted by it. Since their immunity is still developing, adequate sleep helps them fight off infections and feel better faster.

Learning & Development

Your baby may look peaceful while sleeping, but their brain is busy all night long. When asleep, infants can strengthen their memories and the knowledge they have acquired while awake. During the first year, when everything is new to them, processing information in this way is particularly important.

Baby Bedtime Routine

‘How to get a baby to sleep’ is the main question that every sleep-deprived parent has. Although it isn’t as easy as 1, 2, 3 a good place to start is remembering the three B’s.

Step 1: Bath

A soothing bath can do wonders in getting your little one to feel relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep; the warm water can help to regulate baby’s temperature, keeping them cool and allowing them to fall asleep more easily. Bathe them and bundle them in a bath robe as you prepare them for the next step of their routine. Regular bath times will help the little one recognise when sleepy time is drawing near.

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Step 2: Book

Cuddle up, connect and create a calm environment for your little one as they drift off by reading them a little bedtime story. Not only is this a beautiful bonding experience but it can also help to passively introduce them to new sounds and vocabulary, improving their communication skills further down the line. Opt for fabric books and story books that will engage the tiny tots imagination.

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Step 3: Bed

And then...to bed. Once baby is settled and snoozing, tuck them up in a snuggly baby sleeping bag. These are designed so that they can’t be kicked off by wiggly little ones, meaning they are less likely to wake up due to feeling cold. They help to regulate baby’s temperature, with various tog weights for various times of the year, not to mention that they grow with your little one, making them a great investment piece.

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Sometimes the three B’s don’t work. If you have found another way to aid your baby in their sleep journey and it is working for you and them, then we say keep doing what you’re doing. If you need a little more advice, here are some more tips Jenna recommends for when you are trying to get a baby to sleep...

Sleep tip #1 Independent sleep

‘A really important element for great sleep is teaching children to go to sleep and stay asleep, independently. If your child depends on something to fall asleep – such as rocking, a dummy or a parent - then they will find it difficult to get back to sleep without this each time they come to the edge of sleep. We must encourage our children to learn the skill of sleeping independently so they can settle themselves and begin to sleep more peacefully.’

Sleep tip #2 Awake times and naps!

‘Ensure your little one is getting the recommended amount of sleep, and time awake, during the day. The amount of sleep your little one needs will be down to them but, as a guide, babies need around 13-15 hours in a 24-hour period, and toddlers around 11 to 14 hours.

Sleep tip #3 Consistency

‘All children thrive on consistency, However you decide to help your little one to sleep, ensure that you do this consistently, so they don’t become confused.’

How to dress a baby for sleep

It is important to dress your baby appropriately for bed. This can be dependent on the season and temperature of your home. Cloud-like cotton baby grows keep babies cool and cosy to encourage a fuss-free night of sleep. A sleeping bag is a great choice for regulating babies’ temperature throughout the night and is proven to be a safer option than blankets, which can easily be kicked off. Baby comforters can also be sweet bedtime companions, but Jenna advises that they are best enjoyed by little ones 12 months old and above.

Baby Grows

Baby Sleeping Bags

Baby Comforters

Optimising your nursery

Creating a dreamy and snooze-inspiring environment is another key factor in nailing the sleep routine. Jenna advises creating a sleep space that is dark, calm, and free from distractions, all of which will help the production of melatonin (the ‘sleepy hormone’). Shop for the right cots and nursery bedding, then complete the soothing surroundings with an atmospheric nightlight and a Tonie box for some imaginative, hands-free storytelling to sweep them away to dreamland.

Cots & Cot Beds

Nursery Bedding

Blankets

Tonies & Audio Books

FAQ’s

What are sleep regressions?

The 4-month sleep regression is the development of sleep cycles. This is where newborns, who flip between REM and deep sleep, progress to developing sleep cycles that are around 45 minutes long. This happens at around 12-16 weeks. If they have always been assisted to sleep then each time they come to the edge of their sleep cycle they will need help to get back to sleep again and this is what impacts their sleep.

How to reduce the risk of SIDS

SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome (also known as cot death). Although not much is known about what causes this, you can reduce the risk of SIDS by:

Making sure your baby sleeps on their back.
Clearing their cot of any loose blankets or toys that could obstruct their airways.
Try to maintain a room temperature between 16 -20°C.

Breastfeeding and being in a smoke-free home are also factors that can reduce the risk of SIDS.

How much sleep do babies need?

The amount of sleep your little one needs will be down to them but, as a guide, babies need around 13-15 hours in a 24-hour period, and toddlers around 11 to 14 hours.

When do babies start sleeping through the night?

This varies from baby to baby. Some babies may go through phases of sleeping all night, and then have bouts of restless nights, meaning there is no strict answer. Usually, by around 12 months, babies will need fewer night feeds and therefore may be more able to sleep all night through.