Getting your baby to sleep
Establishing a sleep routine for your baby is important. Information on safe sleeping practices and where to get help if your baby isn't sleeping.
Settling
Most babies need help learning how to go to sleep. This is called settling. It can help to try different techniques to learn what works best for you and your baby.
Your baby’s sleep routine will change as they reach different stages of development and can be affected by:
- growth spurts
- teething
- sickness.
If your baby isn’t settling, you can get information and support at:
- your local child and family health centre
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby helpline on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse
- Tresillian parents helpline on 1300 272 736 or residential stay program
- Karitane Careline on 1300 227 464 or residential services program.
Safe sleeping practices
Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) is a term used to describe when a baby dies suddenly and unexpectedly.
Most unexpected deaths happen at night while sleeping. This is usually from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents.
You can reduce the risk of SUDI by removing known risk factors and creating a safe sleeping environment. This includes:
- putting your baby to sleep in a cot
- placing your baby on their back to sleep
- avoiding the use of soft toys, pillows, blankets and cot bumpers
- using a mattress that fits well in the cot so there are no gaps
- wrapping or swaddling your baby
- not letting your baby get too hot or cold.
Learn more safe sleeping tips for your baby at Raising Children.