In the first year of life your baby needs lots of sleep (13 to 18 hours a day!). Sleep is necessary support for your little one’s rapid growth and development. But your baby doesn’t know that! He exists in the moment and responds to his body’s needs and the environment. Many parents don’t realize that their baby’s sleep needs are powerfully driven by instinct and by understanding and responding to his cues sleep can be a very easy, pleasant process. When your baby is tired, he’ll sleep – but only if the conditions are right. If not, he will fuss and cry about not sleeping.