Newborn Sleep Tips

Congratulations on the birth of your new little one! Being a mom is so rewarding but yet so exhausting at the same time. There is also no shortage of opinions when it comes to motherhood and how to raise your baby. From old wives’ tales, to experienced mothers, to non-parents, and more. But let me tell you this – YOU know your baby BEST.

So, let’s talk a little bit about newborn sleep.

Newborns are VERY noisy sleepers. From grunting and groaning, to wiggling around in their bassinet, it’s hard to get some good solid sleep. But this is normal! Newborns spend 50% of all sleep in REM sleep - which is active.

Newborns are not developmentally ready to sleep through the night. Their tummies are so small and they require regular feedings to meet appropriate calorie quotas. Getting regular feedings in the beginning is essential for mom’s milk supply - it’s also essential to establish a good latch if breastfeeding.

How long will they be awake?

Newborns can only tolerate about 45 minutes of “awake time” before they are ready for another period of rest. Their crankiness can exhibit the exact same as their hunger cues. So – if you know your baby is fed, but they are showing some hunger cues and they won’t eat more, then try putting them to sleep.

Some of these cues can be: red rimmed eyes, rubbing their face, a seven-mile stare, arching or twisting their back, or even turning their head into something (similar to rooting).

When do we start?

During those first 2 weeks, I want your main goal to be establishing a good feeding schedule with your baby, and work hard on FULL feedings at these feed times. Feedings should be happening every 2-3 hours throughout the day, totalling about 8-10 feedings sessions in a 24-hour period. I also want YOU to try to be good to yourself – take naps when you can, hop in the bath if baby is sleeping, and just relax (when and if possible). Your body has been through a lot!

Tips for Success

1.     Divide the clock into two 12-hour periods. This makes “night-time” seem less daunting if you’re going to bed at 10pm and morning becomes 6am.

2.     Light Exposure – when your baby wakes in the morning, it is best to take them out of the room for their first feeding and make sure you’re feeding them in a well-lit area.

3.     Keep an eye on the clock – even if your newborn is seeming very awake and alert, I still want you to watch the clock and make sure they aren’t staying up too long…this will result in increased overtiredness and irritability and it will be WAY harder trying to get them to sleep if they’re past their awake time limit. A good guide for newborn awake time is between 45mins to 60mins.

4.     Bedtime routines can be started right from the moment you get home from the hospital and feel ready. They act as a cueing mechanism for your baby to know that sleep is coming.
A good example of a bedtime routine could be:
- Bottle or Nursing session
- Massage with lotion
- Into jammies and swaddle
- Sing a song
- Top up feeding (only if you feel necessary)
- Into the Bassinet*

5.     Same place, all the time. Whenever possible, let your baby sleep in the same place every time they go down for a nap, but definitely for bedtime sleep. If your baby sleeps in the bassinet next to your bed, then try using the bassinet for at least 1 of their naps in the day.

6.     A noise machine can be SO helpful, especially with newborns. The womb was a noisy place where they heard voices, sounds, and even your heartbeat and other internal body sounds. Having a noise machine will be very comforting for them – as complete silence can be irritating.

As I have mentioned before – don’t stress too much about doing everything “right” with your newborn in regards to sleep. Naps on you, in the carrier, stroller, or even car seat* are OKAY and normal.

Once your baby reaches 6 weeks old, they start to develop some small self-soothing skills and you may notice a little difference in their sleep habits.

As always – if you are struggling with your newborn’s sleep, please reach out. I have sleep packages starting from 6 weeks old, all the way up to older children, teens, and adults! To chat with me to talk about some options, book here.

*Always lay your baby down on their BACK in the bassinet

**Car seat naps are okay as long as baby is buckled in tightly, and you are either in the car, or the car seat is attached safely to the stroller. Please refer to your user guidelines and safety pamphlets for your individual car seat.