Step1
When a baby is only days old, they will wake during the night often for feeding, diapering and affection. At this stage there isn't much you can do to get them to sleep more.
But, as they get older- when you start counting their age in weeks or months - it helps to get them on a schedule. Whether it's every 3 hours for breastfed babies or every four hours for formula fed babies, they will thrive on the schedule and it will make things easier for the parents.
Step2
Shorten daytime naps.
You don't want to cut out daytime naps, because often times an over-tired baby will sleep even less than at night than one that sleeps during the day.
But, waking baby 20 minutes early from a nap for a little cuddle or play time might entice them more to sleep at night, when they won't be disturbed.
Step3
Increase the final feeding of the night.
If you formula feed your baby, put just a little extra in the bottle at bed time. If the baby is breast fed, try to keep them awake just a little longer to get as full as possible.
The fuller the baby's belly, the more content they will be with sleeping. As the food lasts longer, they will sleep longer.
Granted, at first it might just be an extra 5 or 10 minutes, but over time it will grow into 30 minutes to an hour.
Try not to introduce solids (such as cereal) before at least 4 months. Early introduction of solids can lead to food allergies and your baby may have problems digesting them and moving them through their little system.
Step4
When baby does wake in the middle of the night for a feeding, try not to let them wake completely.
You can do this by feeding them as soon as they start to cry for a food - not waiting until they wail and wake themselves up. Feeding a baby whose eyes are closed makes it easier to get them back to sleep.
Also, once the baby gets older, they may not require a diaper change at every night time feeding. A quick sniff or peak will let you know if it needs to be done. Diapering a baby usually wakes them up completely and may make it harder to get them back to sleep.
At the same time, if your baby has frequent diaper rash, then by all means, change that diaper! Your baby's health and comfort should always out-weigh your need for sleep.
Step5
Trying letting the baby sleep in their own room.
This may be hard to do - but with some kind of baby monitor, you can listen to exactly what's going on where they are.
Having the baby sleep in your room makes it easier to get up with them, but at the same time, you might also be keeping them awake.
For example, if the baby starts to fuss, you might try to give them a pacifier or try to rub their backs to get them to go back to sleep. But, you might be waking them up even more in your efforts. Babies wake several times during the night and many times, with a little fuss or an attempt to roll over (even if they haven't reached that stage), they will drift back off to sleep.
Step6
Your baby spent 9 months in the womb, packed in, cuddled and warm. It makes sense that they would want to sleep that way now.
Swaddle the baby with a blanket, to keep them nice and comfy. You want to keep them warm, but no over heat them. A comfortable temperature goes a long way.
Step7
Try a cradle or bassinet.
Babies can often sense that they are all alone in a big, open crib. Even with being swaddled, they might not like how that feeds. A smaller sleeping place might make them more comfortable, making it easier for them to learn to go back to sleep.
Step8
Talk to your baby's doctor or nurse.
They might have some suggestions that have worked for other children. Getting advice from professionals never hurt!
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