There are many different reasons why babies and young children do not sleep through the night.

Try to establish a sleep routine as early as six weeks if possible.

Feel confident in yourself to know whether your child is really distressed or just restless.

If your sleep is frequently disrupted by your child's restlessness, arrange for a trusted relative or friend to care for your baby or child so you can get some sleep.

Establishing a routine

Many children and babies experience sleeping difficulties at some time.  It is important to try and etablish a regular night time sleep routine for your child by going to bed at a regular time each night. 

This might include a bath,  followed by a warm comfortable environment for them to relax in.  Reading to your child at bedtime helps your child to unwind and relax. 

If your child is scared of the dark, try keeping a night light on.  A few favourite toys in the bed will be a confort if your child wakes during the night. 

If you are concerned that your child has serious difficulty getting to sleep, or does not regularly sleep through the night, discuss your concerns with your GP, Health Visitor or School Nurse.

What to say...

• Give your child the chance to discuss their feelings with you, try to keep calm and relaxed without showing signs of anxiety or strain. 
• Praise your child when they sleep through the night.
• Do not scold your child if they do not sleep through the night.
• If your child often wakes inthe night try to find out why he or she has woken, for example a bad dream of hunger.
• Try to develop and understanding for how they feel and whether they are worried about anything

Remeber each child's sleep pattern is different.