How can I make my baby stay asleep at night?

I have a book about sleeping patterns in babies and it says that up to the 4 months of age, their sleep only has 2 phases and after that age more phases start showing uo to which the baby has to adapt. She will wake up between phases because 2 of them are of light sleep. Babies need to know that their parents are near cos that's the safest place on earth. I would say co-sleep cos then she will wake up, see your face and fall right back to sleep. Up to the 2 years of age babies have to adapt their sleep to many changes, and they need their parents to help them through it with patience and understanding.

Wow, I've found some of these answers so strict and harsh for a 5 month old. In my opinion 5 months is still very young, my son is 10 months old and only once have I left him to cry and that was due to a tantrum... Your baby is still young, still needs to know you are there, yea she may be waking up a lot in the night, but don't just leave her, cuddle her back to sleep, be the security she needs, then in the day, set an alarm and nap when she does... Cutting down the nap time and watching it very closely so she doesn't sleep past a certain time before bedtime. For example, my son goes to bed at 8pm, his last nap is 3.30-4 and no later! Instilling a routine will help her understand when it's bedtime, a bath before bed can help relax baby if they enjoy it. But most of all, be understanding, she is still a baby, and needs you.

It really depends on the baby. My son is 9 months and has been sleeping though the night since he was about 3 months old. Have you tried a pacifier at night, a bath, a bottle or the breast? Usually these things will help before your baby goes to bed.

I suggest that you see her doctor. My own daughter did exactly this and when tested she was found to be very anemic.

If the doctor can't find any problem, it may be an age thing. She may be needing more stimulation during the day to make her more tired. Some time playing outside could help. Time to creep and crawl and play with age appropriate toys may help. This is especially true of smart children who really need this stimulation to stay on schedule.

Also think about what she is eating. I have a grandson who has food sensitivities and what he eats really affects how he sleeps.

When your daughter wakes at night, how do you respond? Can she perhaps play quietly in her crib and then fall asleep? Of course you need to check on her that everything is ok, but you don't need to do anything to reward fer for waking up. Have a playtime with her during the day.

If she ways up and cries, check and tell tell her that nights are for sleeping. If she cries, let her. Just tell her that she can learn to rest and settle herself down. I really think pacifiers are fine.

Music may also help.

Do not let yourself get stressed over this or she will pick up on this.

Try to look on this as some quality time you may spend with your daughter if she really needs you.

She will grow up before you know it! I know that is a cliche, but it is true.

If you are stressed, you might look at mommy and baby exercises you can do together. Singing to her can also make you both feel better. And rocking.

But if it is just a habit, let her cry it out.

She could well be teething, it makes even the best sleeper a nightmare and it can take ages for them to come through. My daughter started teething her first two at 6 months but they didn't come through til 8 months. Try the homeopathic remedies first (they never worked on my daughter, alas!) and then go the kiddie paracetomol/ibuprofen route. It is really painful for them and even worse when they're little as they can't tell you what's wrong. Best of luck and welcome to the horrible world of teething - just remember, it will and does pass...eventually :-)

Do NOT acknowledge that she is awake! Night is for sleeping, only. Not for eating, not for cuddling, not for playing. She is waking up because she feels you have something good waiting for her if she does: food, play time, holding, etc. Why would she stay quiet if she knows that if she cries, she will get one of these things? Undo this. When she wakes up, don't let her know you know she's awake. Ignore her. Let her scream if she wants to. Do NOT go in or do ANYTHING until she stops and goes back to sleep, then see how long it took. That's how you know how long it takes her to fall asleep on her own. Infants are incapable of going the whole night without sleep. Their bodies can't handle it. When they tire themselves out on their own, the sleep much longer and more soundly because THEIR bodies created that sleep. It works. My 10 month old boy was sleeping all night long at 4 months because he didn't have a choice. It was either sleep or lay awake and miserable.

EDIT: Colleen has a good idea, except for the "keep coming in and doing this" part. Do it ONCE and that's it! What, are you TRYING to confuse your baby? "Mommy keeps leaving and coming back in... why is she leaving if she's coming back in..." Your baby doesn't know ANYTHING except what you teach it. Teach it what you want it to know and nothing more.

lay her back down, give her her paccy and tell her she must go back to sleep and leave the room. Continue doing this as fast as possible with little communicating. She will get the hint. Give her a night light so she can find her paccy and put a few little soft toys in her crib.She may be teething. You may want to rub her gums good with numbing cream before bed. Get some rest~

it sounds horrible, but shorten naps. Wake her up around 10 minutes earlier.

when I was a baby warm milk and a burp made me sleep

have you tried to let her self sooth herself back to sleep. I think at 5 months she's old enough to have cereal in her night bottle.. it keeps them fuller longer.

did you change what you sleep her in? like from a bassinet to her bed? maybe she doesn't like the mattress.