Last updated: January 2026
Baby ki neend ke baare mein sab kuch galat sunaya jaata hai - aur galat advice follow karne se neend aur bhi kharab ho sakti hai! Raat ko jagana 6 mahine tak NORMAL hai (50% babies jagte hain!), din mein jagake rakhne se raat ki neend BETTER nahi hoti (worse hoti hai), aur godi mein sulaane se baby BIGADTA nahi. Ye guide myths aur facts alag karegi - taaki aap relaxed reh sakein!
Watch: Always look for this early hunger cues.Do you feed your baby only after they start crying?
Many well-meaning relatives share sleep advice based on outdated information. Following wrong advice can:
Let's separate fact from fiction!
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Din mein jagao, raat ko achhe se soyega | **WRONG!** Overtired babies sleep WORSE, not better. They become cranky, have trouble settling, and wake more at night. |
What Actually Helps:
Nap Guidelines by Age:
| Age | Number of Naps | Total Daytime Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | 4-5 | 5-7 hours |
| 3-6 months | 3-4 | 4-5 hours |
| 6-9 months | 2-3 | 3-4 hours |
| 9-12 months | 2 | 2-3 hours |
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| 3 mahine mein poori raat sona chahiye | **50% of 6-month-olds still wake at least once at night** - this is completely NORMAL and biologically appropriate! |
Why Night Waking is Normal:
Realistic Expectations:
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Godi mein sula diya toh bigad jayega | Babies are MEANT to be helped to sleep! There's nothing wrong with rocking, feeding, or holding baby to sleep, especially in early months. |
What's True:
If You Want to Encourage Self-Settling:
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Ekdum shanti chahiye, awaz nahi karni | Babies spent 9 months in the womb with constant noise (heartbeat, blood flow, digestion)! Complete silence can feel strange and actually make sleep harder. |
What Helps:
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| 2 mahine ke baad swaddling band kar do | Swaddling can continue until baby shows signs of rolling (usually 3-4 months). It helps reduce startle reflex and creates cozy womb-like feeling. |
Swaddling Guidelines:
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Sote bacche ko kabhi nahi jagana chahiye | Sometimes you SHOULD wake baby - for feeding (especially newborns) or to protect night sleep from very long day naps. |
When to Wake Baby:
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Swaddling se stanpan mein dikkat hoti hai | Swaddling between feeds is fine. Always unswaddle and watch for hunger cues. Feed within 30 minutes of early hunger signs. Skin-to-skin during feeds is beneficial. |
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Cereal dalne se zyada soyega | This is DANGEROUS and doesn't work! It can cause choking, obesity, and digestive issues. It doesn't actually improve sleep. No solids in bottles ever. |
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| Sleep training zaroori hai | Many babies learn to sleep well without formal "training." Gentle methods work. Some babies naturally develop longer sleep. It's a family choice, not a requirement. |
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| **Temperature** | 68-72F (20-22C) - slightly cool |
| **Darkness** | Dark for night, some light for naps |
| **Sound** | White noise can help |
| **Sleep Surface** | Firm, flat, bare (safe sleep) |
| **Clothing** | Appropriate for temperature |
Bedtime Routine (15-30 minutes):
Always:
Consult Your Pediatrician If:
A: Yes, completely normal! Newborns wake every 2-3 hours. Even at 6 months, 50% of babies wake at least once. Night waking is biologically normal, helps with feeding and bonding. It improves gradually but "sleeping through" at very young ages is actually the exception, not the norm.
A: Watch for sleep cues: yawning, rubbing eyes, pulling ears, becoming fussy, looking away, becoming quiet and still. Put baby to sleep at FIRST signs - don't wait until overtired. Each baby's cues may be slightly different.
A: In first 2 weeks, yes - don't let newborn go more than 3-4 hours. After that, if baby is gaining weight well and has enough wet diapers, you can let them wake naturally. But many breastfed babies need night feeds for months - this is normal and important for milk supply.
A: This is very common and normal! Babies love being held. Try: gradual transition (hold until deeply asleep, then put down), swaddling for security, white noise, warm the crib with hot water bottle before putting baby (remove before placing baby!). Be patient - it improves with time.
A: It's a personal choice, not a necessity. Many babies learn to sleep well without formal training. If you're struggling and want to try it, wait until baby is at least 4-6 months old. Gentle methods are available. If baby is healthy, happy, and you're coping, there's no requirement to "train."
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Remember: baby sleep is challenging but temporary. Trust yourself and your baby!
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