Chapter 7 – Helping the Baby Fall Asleep

Although falling asleep and sleep characteristics during the early months of life are largely governed by innate physiological mechanisms and genetic predispositions, parents can support their child’s development with attentive care—helping them mature quickly and overcome small challenges along the way.

Understanding the differences between adult and infant sleep structures makes it easier to intervene correctly and avoid mistakes. For example, during the extended REM sleep phase, babies may move and make noises. It’s important to learn to tell when a baby is active but still asleep, and when they are truly awake—so as not to touch or speak to them unnecessarily (18). Otherwise, all the effort made to help them fall asleep might be wasted by waking them too soon. This recommendation also applies during nighttime awakenings. It’s not always the case that a baby needs help falling back asleep—sometimes, if they manage to settle on their own, it’s actually a sign of neurological development. That’s why it’s best to watch for a few seconds without immediately picking them up at the first sign of stirring. Wait and see if they actually call for mom or dad—if they need to.

As the baby grows, their biological rhythms gradually adapt to external environmental cues. For example, the sleep-wake cycle becomes increasingly synchronized with the natural alternation of day and night. However, during the first few weeks, the circadian rhythm (the internal clock that governs daily biological cycles) is still maturing. It will take time for the newborn to align their patterns with environmental stimuli.Among these stimuli, the most powerful is natural light: exposing the baby to sunlight during the day—and reducing exposure to artificial lighting in the evening—helps them adapt more quickly (19).

Another proven strategy to help a child fall asleep is to establish a calming and reassuring bedtime routine, repeated consistently each evening. The purpose of this ritual is to help the baby understand that the day is ending, that night is beginning, and that mom and dad will remain close even during sleep, ready to welcome them upon waking.

An American study (20) found that the benefits of this approach become evident after just three nights, with improvements in how quickly the baby falls asleep, fewer nighttime awakenings, and better moods for both baby and parents. Massage, gentle touches, a warm bath, reading a bedtime story, or singing a lullaby—what matters most is not which specific activities are included, but rather the emotional availability of the adult. What makes the difference is being attuned to the baby’s signals, understanding their emotional state, and responding to their needs with care and consistency.

And what if, at the planned bedtime, the baby still doesn’t fall asleep? Maybe it’s just genuinely too early for them. In that case, it’s better to wait until they show the first signs of sleepiness (21). In the following days, to help them fall asleep earlier, parents can try shortening or moving up the last nap of the day, so the baby is more tired by the scheduled bedtime.