What you do with your infant during the day can help your baby sleep better through the night. So, why not set yourself up for nighttime success by starting when the sun comes up?

Here’s how to change your baby’s sleep pattern from day to night:

Get outdoors during the day.

Get your babe outside for a daily dose of sunlight (especially before noon). This will help reset the circadian rhythm if your baby has days and nights mixed up for sleeping.

Use sound and motion.

Rhythms throughout the day set a calming tone. Long walks, swings and slings are great during the day, and swaddling and white noise during naps.

Improve nighttime sleep with your daytime schedule.

Create a flexible schedule to keep your infant from getting overtired during the day and to keep her on track for your evening bedtime target.

Avoid stimulants.

If you’re breastfeeding, avoid “uppers” like dark chocolate and coffee that could disrupt your baby’s sleep pattern.

Encourage daytime pooping.

Some nice belly massage and knee-to-tummy exercises will help your little one to poop during the day, so nighttime sleep isn’t disturbed by grunting. (Speak to your doctor if your infant is having firm or hard stools.)

Final Thoughts About How to Change Baby Sleep Pattern from Day to Night

For more information on how to do more sleeping at night—and not the day—check out these articles on the Golden Moment’ for Putting Your Baby to Sleep and Sleep Schedule for Your Baby’s First Year.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.