The sleeping habits of a newborn are often unpredictable, with your baby dozing off for 30 minutes or one, two or three hours at a time during the day and the night.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should never leave your child sleeping in a swing. If a baby falls asleep in the swing, move her to her bed for the rest of her nap.

Sleep plays an important role in your baby's growth and development, according to Glade Curtis and Judith Schuler in "Your Baby's First Year."

Playpens and play yards are convenient enclosed places for parents to place a baby while taking care of household tasks, but experts warn that you should only put your baby to sleep in a playpen while you are nearby and after you have taken precautions to ensure your baby’s safety in order to help prevent injuries or p

While it might seem like your newborn wakes more often than not, by the time that she reaches 3 months of age, she should sleep for a total of 15 hours each day, according to the BabyCenter website.

Your 7-week-old baby should get about 15 hours of sleep per day. However, your baby is still very little and might not get this sleep at the times when he's supposed to sleep. You can help him learn the right times to sleep and get the most out of his bedtime.

Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, which makes breastfed babies desire more feedings than formula-fed infants.

If your sleeping baby starts crying as you carry her to her room or the moment you set her down in her crib, you’re moving her too soon. Babies go through sleep stages just as adults do, although AskDrSears.com states that a baby’s sleep cycle is shorter--averaging 50 to 60 minutes.

Nearly all parents of newborns find themselves at one point or another frustrated by their infant’s sleep patterns. For the first few months of life, babies sleep only three or four hours at a time before waking for a feeding or diaper change.

Getting your newborn to go to sleep without being held is one of the earliest jobs you will face as a parent. Teaching your child to go to sleep on her own increases the odds that she will put herself back to sleep when she wakes up during the night.

Newborn babies often have irregular sleep and breathing patterns that distress their parents. In most cases, grunts and other noises are harmless. However, they can indicate a more serious condition. It’s important to know the causes and signs so you can alert your pediatrician.

Dealing with an overtired baby who won't sleep can be exhausting and frustrating for parents. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and sticking to it can help prepare your child for sleep at the end of each day.