When a new baby is born, sleep is elusive for parents and baby, even if the rest is vital to the health of the entire family. This can be difficult for parents and adults need 6 to 8 hours of quality sleep each night, so that babies tend to sleep for shorter amounts of time.
Babies usually sleep up to 17 hours a day, but that number during the whole day. By the time they are aged two months, they will begin to sleep for longer periods at night and shorter periods during the day, which is much easier on the parents. However, as parents, you can make the transition to longer, restful nights a little easier.
First, be sure to teach your baby the difference between night and day. During the day, try to keep active and alert baby, let them know that this is the time of day when they should be awake. When the sun goes down, start reducing. Dim the lights and keep noise levels to a minimum. This will establish a pattern of behavior in the mind of the child, and help them learn when to be vigilant and when to be asleep.
There is also a good idea to start a bedtime routine, establishing some type of signal to let your baby knows it's time to go to sleep. You can do this by singing a lullaby, reading to them or simply giving them a good night kiss.