Sleep rhythm: what is it and how to get it right?

A ‘good’ sleep rhythm

“With a good sleep rhythm, we mean all sleep moments combined and how easily your little one falls asleep. With a good rhythm, your little one falls asleep within a reasonable time and wakes up on their own between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. A good sleep rhythm also includes naps. For babies from 5 months, that means 3 naps; between 7 and 9 months, 2 naps. Between 15 and 17 months, the morning nap is dropped, and around three years old, your mini will stop taking naps altogether.”

Bad nappers

“Each sleep moment is preceded by a bedtime routine; for naps, it's the ‘light’ version, and for nighttime, a more elaborate version. This creates a recognizable series of actions (close the curtains, change the diaper, read a book, and into the cot) that signals to your baby: it’s time to sleep! Not every baby or toddler is a good napper, but what’s important is to keep nap times consistent. This way, you maintain the right rhythm. Is your little one very tired? Then bring them to bed earlier for the night.”

Early risers

“A major frustration for many parents—babies and kids who are wide awake at 4:30 or 5:00 AM, eager to start the day. Such early risers are usually still tired and need more sleep. The simplest advice that often works well, is: put them to bed earlier and see if they wake up later.”

Do’s and don’ts for a sleep routine

“Every day is different, but it’s important for your little one to keep the sleep routine as consistent as possible. Depending on when they wake up in the morning or after a nap, you can start the next sleep moment a little earlier, either for nap time or for the night. It's key to watch for signs of tiredness in your baby, like becoming fussy, clingy, yawning, rubbing their eyes, or pulling at their ears. A normal bedtime is between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, but half past seven really only applies to toddlers and preschoolers.”

Still need some help? Daisy has written an ebook in which she goes into much more detail about sleep routines and shares tips for kids aged 0 to 18 months.