Sleep in the First Year

Sleep!  It's one of those things that parents tend to obsess over--which is understandable.  I mean, who wouldn't be obsessed when the only chance YOU get to sleep is when the BABY is sleeping!

So how much sleep should your baby be getting?  Are your expectations of baby maybe a little bit too high?

While your baby should be your best guide to figuring out how much sleep he needs, here is an awesome chart to give you at least an idea of the average hours of sleep babies need during their first year:

Daytime sleep hours, obviously, come in the form of naps, and the number of naps can vary from child to child.  Nighttime sleep hours, unfortunately, also don't always happen in one uninterrupted period (especially in the first months!).  Your child's sleep needs can be very different from other children, even children who are the same age as your child!  Your best bet is, as always, to learn from your child. You'll know you're doing it right when your child is happy and well rested!

Information taken from Feber Re Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems. New York 1985, Simon & Schuster, Inc.