Ashwin Lewis
Getting a 2-month-old baby to sleep can be challenging. At this age, babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb and are learning to distinguish between day and night. Their sleep patterns can seem erratic and unpredictable, and they may struggle with sleep regression as they constantly learn about the world around them. While every baby is different, there are some tips and tricks that can help your 2-month-old sleep better. This includes managing daytime naps, creating a sleep routine, and practicing safe sleep practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period |
| Sleep pattern | 2-3 naps during the day, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding |
| Sleep surface | Firm, flat, and approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) |
| Bedding | Non-toxic crib and mattress, soft crib sheets, and a sleep sack for comfort and warmth |
| Room arrangement | Room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS |
| Sleep training | Start when the baby is 2 months old; teach them to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own |
| Sleep cues | Watch wake windows (60-90 minutes) and sleepy cues; follow a bedtime routine with activities like bathing, reading, and singing |
| Sleep position | On their back for the first 12 months; can transition to stomach sleeping when they can roll over on their own |
| Swaddling | Safe until the baby starts to roll (around 3-4 months old); discontinue if showing signs of rolling |
| Pacifier use | Offer at sleep time but don't force it; don't replace it if it falls out during sleep |
| Feeding | Avoid trained night feeding; establish a pattern where the baby feeds during the day and sleeps longer at night |
| Sleep environment | Keep the room temperature comfortable, avoid secondhand smoke, and remove hazards like cords, ribbons, and sharp objects |
| Sleep schedule | Aim for a consistent bedtime between 7:00-8:00 PM; wake a 2-month-old after napping for 2 hours to ensure they get enough calories during the day |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep training methods
Sleep training can help a baby develop good sleep habits without prolonged crying, whether they sleep in their own bed or with their parents. The best time to start sleep training is soon after your baby turns two months old.
Develop a bedtime routine
A bedtime routine can help signal an end to the day. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and help them relax. Be consistent, and your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.
Watch for sleep cues
Keep an eye on sleep cues like rubbing eyes, zoning out, and yawning. Make sure you're not trying to put them down when they're too tired, as it will be harder to get them to sleep.
Follow wake windows
For 2-month-olds, the maximum wake window is 90 minutes, after which they should take a nap. As they get older, the wake windows get longer.
Put them down drowsy but awake
If you rock your baby to sleep, they may expect to be rocked to sleep after every nighttime awakening. Instead, try putting your baby in a crib while drowsy but still awake. This way, they will learn to fall asleep on their own.
Respond to their fussing
If your baby fusses when you put them down, respond immediately and try to soothe them in the crib. You can do this by patting, rubbing, or gently shaking the crib, perhaps while singing softly or whispering to them. If they don't settle down quickly (20 to 30 seconds is reasonable), pick them up and try again later.
It's important to note that the ""cry-it-out" method is generally not recommended for babies under four months old. Instead, focus on developing a consistent bedtime routine, responding to your baby's needs, and creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment.
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Safe sleep surfaces
When it comes to safe sleep surfaces for your 2-month-old, there are several important guidelines to follow:
Firstly, always use a firm, flat sleep surface. A crib or bassinet with a tight-fitting sheet is ideal. Avoid soft mattresses, waterbeds, memory foam, or pillow-top adult mattresses, as these are not safe for infants. The surface should be flat like a table, not inclined like a hammock, to prevent positional asphyxia. Make sure the sheet fits snugly and remove any plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads from the crib or bassinet.
Secondly, room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for at least the first 6 months, as it reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. Keep your baby's crib or bassinet in your room, close to your bed, but avoid letting them sleep in your bed, on a couch, or an armchair, either alone or with others. Couches and armchairs can be especially dangerous if an adult falls asleep on them while feeding or comforting the baby.
Thirdly, ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Be cautious of hazards such as cords, ties, ribbons, or objects with sharp edges or corners that could pose a risk of strangulation or injury.
Finally, it is important to dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Do not overbundle or cover your baby's head while they sleep. Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS.
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Bedtime routines
Start a bedtime routine
Begin by establishing a simple and soothing bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can all be part of this routine. Be consistent, and your baby will soon associate these activities with sleeping.
Watch for sleep cues
Follow your baby's sleepy cues and wake windows to ensure they go down for a nap or bedtime when they are drowsy but still awake. This will help them learn to fall asleep on their own. Aim for a bedtime between 7 pm and 8 pm, as babies can become fussy and overtired if kept up past this time.
Create a safe sleep environment
Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a snugly fitted sheet. Remove any plush toys, pillows, blankets, or other items from the crib or bassinet. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and always lay them on their back to sleep for the first twelve months.
Use sleep sacks and white noise
Consider investing in a sleep sack to add comfort and warmth for your baby. A white noise machine can also be helpful in creating a soothing sleep environment.
Avoid "cry it out"
While some sources suggest that it is acceptable to let babies over four months of age cry for a few minutes to help them learn to sleep through the night, the "cry it out" method is generally not recommended for babies under four months. Instead, respond to your baby's cries and try to soothe them with patting, rubbing, or shushing.
Be consistent
Consistency is key when establishing healthy sleep habits. Both parents should be on board and consistent with the bedtime routine. If your baby fusses when you put them down, respond immediately and try to soothe them in the crib. If they don't settle down quickly (20 to 30 seconds is a reasonable amount of time), pick them up and try again later.
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Daytime napping
A 2-month-old baby will typically take 4-6 naps per day, with each nap lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. The number of naps will vary each day depending on the length of each nap. During the newborn months, it is normal and expected for naps to vary in length from day to day.
At 2 months old, a baby's wake window (how long they stay awake between naps) is around 60-90 minutes. This might be shorter when they are 8 weeks old and longer when they are 11 weeks old. Wake windows are usually shortest in the morning and get longer throughout the day, with the longest wake window before bedtime.
It is important to be responsive to your baby's sleepy cues, feeding needs, and nap lengths. Sleepy cues will help you know when your 2-month-old baby is ready for sleep. If you are unsure whether your baby is tired after 60 or 90 minutes, watch for signs such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy.
You can start sleep training your baby when they are 2 months old. Sleep training can help your baby develop good sleep habits without prolonged crying. One method is to pay attention to when your baby starts to get drowsy, and as soon as their eyes get heavy, gently put them into their crib. If they fuss, respond immediately and try to soothe them in the crib by patting or stroking them, or gently shaking the crib while singing softly or whispering to them. If they don't settle within about 20 to 30 seconds, pick them up again. Walk and talk to them, and watch closely for signs of drowsiness. As soon as they get drowsy, put them down in the crib again.
It is recommended that babies sleep on their own sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, in the same room as their caregiver(s) for at least the first 6 months, or ideally until their first birthday. This arrangement is called room-sharing without bed-sharing and helps to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
To ensure a safe sleep environment, keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of the crib or bassinet. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and do not cover their head while they sleep. Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke, as this increases the risk of SIDS. You can offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it, and there is no need to replace it if it falls out during sleep.
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Self-soothing
Understand Your Role in Your Baby's Sleep Habits
It's important to reflect on why you're often involved in helping your baby fall asleep. This awareness can provide relief and help you problem-solve. For example, you may be experiencing anxiety, and addressing this with a healthcare provider might lead to better sleep for both you and your baby.
Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine
A consistent bedtime routine can signal to your baby that it's time to relax and sleep. This could include activities such as reading, singing, or taking a bath. Consistency helps your baby develop expectations and respond appropriately to different situations.
Optimise the Sleeping Environment
A comfortable and safe environment is crucial for your baby's sleep. Ensure the room is slightly cool, as this is recommended to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Remove any distractions and hazards, such as toys, pillows, and blankets, which should not be in the crib during the first year due to SIDS risk.
Use Self-Soothing Tools
Pacifiers can be useful in teaching self-soothing, but they should be limited to naptime and bedtime and used in conjunction with other methods like white noise to prevent dependence.
Gradually Reduce Night Feedings
While young babies often fall asleep while drinking from the bottle or breast, it's important to gradually move bedtime feedings to an earlier part of the bedtime routine. This will encourage self-soothing and prevent your baby from relying on liquids to fall asleep.
Remember, self-soothing is a gradual process, and it's normal for your baby to still need some assistance. Be patient and consistent, and always respond to your baby's needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Infants up to 3 months old should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. This includes daytime naps, which can range from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
It's important to establish a soothing bedtime routine. Bathing, reading, and singing can signal the end of the day and help your baby relax. You can also try swaddling your baby or using a sleep sack to add comfort and warmth.
It's normal for babies to fight sleep if they're overtired or overstimulated. Pay attention to their wake windows (60-90 minutes) and sleepy cues, and put them down for a nap or bedtime before they get cranky. If they fuss, respond immediately and try to soothe them.
The best time to start sleep training is around 2 months. Sleep training can help your baby develop good sleep habits and self-soothe without prolonged crying. However, it's important to note that crying it out is generally not recommended for babies under 4 months old.
