Sleep

Ministry of Health resource: Tamaiti pūhou (babies 0-3 months)

Need some tips getting your tamaiti pūhou (babies 0-3 months) to sleep better?

Ministry of Health resource: Owhaowha (infants 3-12 months)

How much sleep and activity do your owhaowha (infants 3-12 months) actually need?

Ministry of Health resource: Tamaiti nohinohi (toddlers 1-2 years)

With so much information out there, understanding what your tamaiti nohinihi (toddlers 1-2 years) need in terms of sleeping, playing and adventuring can be hard.

Ministry of Health resource: Tamaiti (preschool 3-4 years)

At this age tamaiti can be a bundle of energy!

Plunket Sleep and Settling Chat - video one

In a series of three videos, Dr Bronwyn Sweeney a psychologist and sleep researcher from the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, with a special interest in the sleep of mothers, babies and their families, joins Anne Hodren, National Educator for Plunket, to discuss sleep and settling. Each video is around 12 minutes long.

Plunket Sleep and Settling Chat - video two

In a series of three videos, Dr Bronwyn Sweeney a psychologist and sleep researcher from the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, with a special interest in the sleep of mothers, babies and their families, joins Anne Hodren, National Educator for Plunket, to discuss sleep and settling. Each video is around 12 minutes long.

Plunket Sleep and Settling Chat - video three

In a series of three videos, Dr Bronwyn Sweeney a psychologist and sleep researcher from the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, with a special interest in the sleep of mothers, babies and their families, joins Anne Hodren, National Educator for Plunket, to discuss sleep and settling. Each video is around 12 minutes long.

Make bedtime comfortable

The place where your child sleeps should be quiet, warm and dark (a night light is okay though).

A settled tummy for a settled sleep

A light snack may help some kids sleep, but a meal within 1 to 2 hours before bed is not recommended and might make them uncomfortable and keep them awake. Giving your child food or drink with caffeine in it can also keep them awake longer than you want, so it's best to avoid them.

Increasing bed time

You can get your child to bed earlier by gradually changing the time. Get them to bed 30 minutes earlier and wake them 30 minutes later.

Keep your child active

Being active helps your child learn and grow. It also helps your child sleep. Spending time during the day, outside in bright sunlight, can help children sleep - but don't forget to be SunSmart.

Should my child have daytime naps?

It's normal for young children to have naps in the day. As they get older they need less sleep and fewer naps. Once your child is older than one year, a nap after 4pm can make it harder to get them to sleep at night.