Young babies need ample sleep to support growth, mood, and development. As your baby grows through their first year, sleep needs and habits may change. Introducing simple sleep routines and tools—such as sleep roll ons—can help establish a gentle path toward a consistent night and daytime nap schedule, as discussed in 4 Strategies for Better Sleep.
The Baby Sleep Cycle
Babies have different sleep needs and sleep cycles than older children or adults.
Instead of sleeping for a solid seven or eight hours at a time, babies may sleep in shorter blocks of time. They have the same type of sleep cycles as adults, with stages of REM and NREM sleep.
Development and Sleeping
A baby’s development also influences how they sleep at night or during the day.
Newborns require the most sleep, with frequent short naps throughout the day. In the first weeks, many newborns sleep about 14-17 hours per day, often in short bursts. By around 12 months, many babies total about 12-14 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including nighttime sleep and daytime naps.
Sleep Problems
Families sometimes struggle with their baby’s sleep. Babies may struggle with falling asleep by themselves. Parents may try different strategies, such as sleepsuits, rocking, co-sleeping or a specific bedtime routine. For safety guidelines on newborn sleep, see Tips to Keep Your Newborn Safe and Healthy.
Children may also be restless when they sleep. How does a child become a restless sleeper? Babies going through a developmental stage, illness or disruptions to their routine may have problems staying asleep.
What Is a Sleep Roll On?
Parents can sometimes encourage their children to sleep through the night or go to bed without a fuss if they have a regular bedtime routine. Using a sleep roll on may be part of that process. A Wellements Sleep Roll On is a roll on product that allows you to apply gentle essential oils to your baby’s chest, neck or the bottom of their feet. Pairing this with a consistent bedtime routine aligns with sleep strategies like those in How to Achieve Better Sleep: 10 Tips for Quality Rest.
What Do Sleep Roll Ons Do?
Sleep roll ons help babies calm down and relax right before bed or a nap. The roll on features soothing essential oils that can be part of your baby’s bedtime routine. Pairing this with simple sleep strategies, such as those outlined in 4 Strategies for Better Sleep, may further ease your child into sleep. The smell of the essential oil and the massaging motion of applying the roll on may help your child relax before falling asleep.
Helping Your Baby Get Rest
In addition to using a sleep roll on, you can encourage your baby to get enough sleep by following a set sleep schedule. As babies grow, many shift toward consolidating nighttime sleep with 1-2 daytime naps, typically totaling about 12-14 hours in a 24-hour period by around 4-6 months. You can help your child get to sleep by scheduling bath time before bed and ensuring your child gets enough nutrition. For safety and routine tips, see Tips to Keep Your Newborn Safe and Healthy.
Benefits of Healthy Sleep Habits
Starting your baby off with a good sleep routine can set them up for healthy sleep for life. It can also help reduce daytime irritability and behavior issues, while giving parents better sleep quality during the babyhood years. Regular bedtime routines and tools like a sleep roll on may support a healthier sleep schedule and smoother illness recovery times, as described in sleep guidance like 4 Strategies for Better Sleep.
