Babies' sleep patterns can be challenging – here's why you shouldn't despair

On Baby Sleep Day, here are some insights that might help get you through the long, broken nights

Pairing the words "baby" and "sleep" can evoke strong emotions. Those who have had limited contact with little ones might interpret this word-combination as implying deep and prolonged slumber. For others, this union of words may elicit memories of prolonged periods of chaotic sleep (or what can feel like no sleep at all).

Coping with the way babies sleep can be difficult. It's not that babies don't sleep. In fact, they sleep more than at any other stage of life. It's more an issue of when they sleep. Newborns start by sleeping and waking around the clock. This is not always easy for parents. There is even research suggesting that in adults waking repeatedly at night can feel as bad as getting hardly any sleep in terms of attentional skills, fatigue levels and symptoms of depression.