When you have a newborn at home and haven?t gotten a decent night?s sleep in what feels like forever, you might find yourself dreaming about getting your baby on a sleep schedule. But what’s the right time to start" ?Many parents start too early, and they get discouraged,? says Alanna McGinn, owner of Good Night Sleep Site in Burlington, Ont. In her sleep-consulting practice, she doesn?t start trying to get babies on a schedule until they?re at least four months old, when their natural sleep rhythm starts to develop.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Garden, an occupational therapist and founder of SleepDreams in Vancouver, waits till five or six months. ?That?s when their nighttime sleep often consolidates into a nice five- to six-hour stretch,? she says. Every infant is different, but when yours is ready, here’s how to initiate your baby’s sleep schedule. .related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:.5rem;margin-left:.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}

   
   

   What you need to know about safe sleep guidelines for babies

1. Set the stage

To encourage a sleep schedule, your baby?s naps should take place in a consistent sleep environment. Experts say the best naps occur in your baby?s crib, which should be placed in a dark, cool room. White noise can help block out daytime sounds while a mini bedtime routine?fo...