Sleep patterns vary widely at one month

At one month old, a baby's sleep is still developing, and there is a great variability from one child to another. According to Pauline Lotte, a nurse and child specialist, "more than the overall quantity of sleep, what matters is that the child has regular sleep periods throughout the 24 hours."

Babies sleep in short cycles

In infants, a sleep cycle lasts about 40 to 50 minutes and consists of two phases. During restless sleep, the baby may make faces, move, emit small noises or grimace. His brain is then very active, but this does not mean he is awake! Then comes calm sleep, during which he sleeps deeply, with few movements. These two phases each occupy about half of the cycle.

Day/night rhythm is not fully formed

The baby's biological clock is still immature, and his body begins to secrete melatonin only around 6 to 8 weeks of life. Therefore, he does not have a real day/night rhythm at this stage. However, some things are already beginning to take shape. "Nights are still fragmented, but sleep periods are a bit longer at night. The child stays awake for less time between sleep cycles. He wakes up to eat, for care or because he needs reassurance, but with the aim of falling back asleep relatively easily," details Pauline Lotte.

Establishing sleep routines

The specialist recommends letting the baby sleep according to his rhythm, even if it is still fluctuating from day to day. But this does not prevent starting to establish day and night cues. "We can dim the light at the end of the day and reduce stimulations. At night, when the child wakes up, we should limit interactions, avoid turning on the light and only feed him and provide the necessary care. Of course, we must respond to his needs, especially if he is seeking reassurance," she explains.

Safe sleep practices

To prevent unexpected infant death, the baby must sleep on his back, on a firm and flat mattress, without a pillow, blanket, crib rail or stuffed animal. It is recommended to share the parents' room until six months, without sharing their bed, to avoid smoking and not to overheat the room. These rules apply to naps as well, even when the baby sleeps near his parents and under their supervision.

When to seek medical advice

More than the number of hours of sleep, it is the child's general behavior that should raise concern. "A baby who sleeps a lot but is active when awake and eats regularly, there is nothing to worry about. However, if he loses tone, falls asleep during meals, has very little wake time or is difficult to wake up, it is necessary to consult," explains Pauline Lotte. The same applies to a baby who sleeps very little. "There is no medical seriousness in itself, but it can have consequences on his daily life. A child who is struggling with sleep, cannot complete a full sleep cycle, even in the arms, has long periods of wakefulness at night, is nervous or agitated, it is worth consulting the pediatrician," advises the child specialist. In all cases, consult a health professional if the baby has significant sleep difficulties.