Colin Snow
Newborns have different sleep patterns, with some sleeping for longer stretches than others. It is normal for newborns to need contact napping, but it is recommended that parents start weaning their babies off this habit around the age of 3-4 months. While it is not always practical, many newborns will only sleep when held. This can be challenging for parents, who may feel sleep-deprived and lose out on alone time. However, there are ways to help your newborn transition to independent sleeping, such as gradually decreasing the amount of time you hold them before placing them in their crib or bassinet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Newborns' sleep duration | Around 18 hours a day |
| Newborns' sleep patterns | No sense of day and night |
| Newborns' sleep position | On their back, not on the stomach or side |
| Newborns' sleep environment | Same room as parents for the first 6 months |
| Newborns' sleep cycle | Similar to parents' sleep cycle after 1-3 months |
| Newborns' sleep aids | Swaddling, white noise, pacifiers |
| Newborns' sleep training | Gradual transition to independent sleep |
| Newborns' sleep safety | Avoid weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles |
| Newborns' sleep risks | Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS |
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What You'll Learn
- It's normal for newborns to sleep on you, but it can become a challenge as they get older
- Safe sleeping practices to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Sleep training methods to help newborns sleep independently
- How to create a safe sleep environment for your newborn?
- The benefits and risks of co-sleeping with your newborn
It's normal for newborns to sleep on you, but it can become a challenge as they get older
It's perfectly normal for newborns to sleep on you. In fact, newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness. It's also common for babies to doze off for short periods during a feed, so it's a good idea to carry on feeding until they finish or fall asleep.
However, as babies grow, the need for contact to fall asleep can become a challenge. If you allow your baby to sleep in your arms too much, they are less likely to learn the skills required to fall asleep on their own. This can cause them to wake between sleep cycles looking for the motion, leading to more overnight wakings and short, broken naps.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to help your baby sleep independently. For example, you can start by holding them until they're sleepy and calm and then placing them in their crib or bassinet while they're still awake. This helps limit the Moro reflex and reduces the risk of them moving too much in their sleep and waking up. You can also try feeding your baby first, then reading a book together in an upright position before laying them down in their crib.
It's important to remember that every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Be patient and persistent when trying to get your baby to sleep independently, and don't be too hard on yourself during this transition.
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Safe sleeping practices to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
It is biologically normal for newborns to need contact napping, but it is recommended to start weaning them off that support around the age of 3-4 months.
To prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it is recommended that for at least the first 6 months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, both day and night. This can be facilitated by room sharing, where the baby's sleep space is near but not inside your bed. This is safer than sharing your bed with the baby.
To create a safe sleep environment for your baby, follow these guidelines:
- Ensure that the sleep surface (e.g. mattress) and the sleep space (e.g. crib, bassinet) meet the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Avoid soft surfaces such as couches, sofas, waterbeds, memory foam, air and pillow-top mattresses, quilts, thick blankets, and sheepskins. Babies sleeping on soft surfaces are at risk of suffocation or strangulation.
- Inclined or tilted sleep surfaces are not safe, as the baby's body can slide down and their head can slump forward, blocking their airway.
- Avoid weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles.
- Make sure all sleep products have been approved by the CPSC and meet federal safety standards.
- Do not overdress your baby for sleep. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Dress your baby in clothing suitable for the room temperature and consider a wearable blanket for warmth.
- Avoid hats indoors, as they can make the baby too hot.
- Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating, flushed or hot skin, or a hot chest.
- If you are breastfeeding, feed your baby breastmilk, as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Offer your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
- Place your baby on their back to sleep for all sleep times.
- Avoid sharing your bed with your baby, especially if you are using drugs or alcohol, as this increases the risk of injury and death.
- If you need to bring your baby into your bed for feeding or comforting, first remove all soft items and bedding from your side of the bed to prevent suffocation. As soon as you wake up, put the baby back in their separate sleep area.
- Keep your baby's sleep space close to your bed so you can easily check on, feed, and comfort them.
- Establish a bedtime routine and teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime. Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, with low lights.
- During the day, open the curtains and don't worry about everyday noises while your baby sleeps.
- Wind down with calmer activities before bedtime, such as reading.
- Avoid too much excitement and stimulation just before bedtime, as this may wake your baby up.
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Sleep training methods to help newborns sleep independently
It is biologically normal for newborns to need contact napping, but it's okay to start weaning them off that support around the age of 3-4 months. By this age, babies are developmentally ready to learn the skill of falling asleep on their own.
The Fading Method
The Fading method involves gradually increasing the physical distance between yourself and your baby at night. When the baby cries, reassure them by shushing and patting them. This method is great for minimizing crying but can be difficult to sustain.
The Gentle Sleep Training Method
This method focuses on helping your baby learn to sleep on their own without any crying. It leans heavily on a consistent bedtime routine, with the same set of activities performed in the same order, so the baby comes to recognize these activities as a transition from day to night, and consequently, bedtime.
The Ferber Method
The Ferber method involves leaving the room while the baby falls asleep, and only re-entering when they start crying.
Camping Out
This method starts with the parent sleeping next to the baby's crib and gradually moving further away until they are out of the room.
Educating Parents About Baby Sleep
This method involves teaching parents about baby sleep and how to create a consistent bedtime routine.
General Tips
Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to allow your baby to learn to self-soothe. Putting your baby down when they're getting drowsy will help them get in the habit of falling asleep on their own. It is also important to stick to a consistent bedtime and to separate yourself from your baby so they can learn to sleep independently.
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How to create a safe sleep environment for your newborn
Creating a safe sleep environment for your newborn is crucial to prevent sleep-related injuries and fatalities, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation. Here are some detailed guidelines to ensure your newborn has a secure and comfortable sleeping space:
Room and Sleep Surface Preparation:
Before putting your newborn down to sleep, it is essential to prepare a safe room and sleep surface. For the first six months, it is recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, both during the day and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS. Ensure the crib or bassinet is safety-approved and positioned next to your bed, making it easier for feeding, comforting, and monitoring. The sleep surface should be firm, flat, and level, with just a fitted sheet covering the mattress. Avoid using soft surfaces like couches, sofas, or waterbeds, as they increase the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation.
Safe Sleep Practices:
To create a secure sleep environment, keep loose items away from the sleep space. This includes blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, and bumpers. Swaddling your baby with a light blanket is acceptable, but discontinue this practice if they start trying to roll over. Additionally, it is advisable to place your baby on their back when putting them down to sleep. This position has been associated with a significant decline in SIDS rates.
Establishing a Sleep Routine:
Newborns follow their own schedule, and it may take a few weeks for them to distinguish between night and day. During the night, keep things quiet and calm, and avoid playing or talking with your baby. You can gradually teach them that nighttime is for sleeping by keeping the lights low and refraining from stimulating activities. On the other hand, during the day, open the curtains, play games, and don't worry about everyday noises. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, such as singing lullabies or reading, can help your baby recognize sleep cues as they get older.
Safe Feeding and Comforting Practices:
If you're breastfeeding, your baby may doze off during a feed. Continue feeding until they finish or fall asleep, and then place them in their crib or bassinet. If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting your baby in your bed, move them to their sleep area as soon as you wake up. It's important to be mindful of your own tiredness before bringing your baby into your bed.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns and preferences may vary. Be patient and persistent as you navigate this journey, and always prioritize your newborn's safety and well-being.
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The benefits and risks of co-sleeping with your newborn
Benefits
Co-sleeping with your newborn can have several benefits, including:
- Breastfeeding facilitation: Co-sleeping makes nighttime feedings more convenient and encourages breastfeeding, which has multiple benefits for both the baby and mother. Breastfeeding can promote a lighter stage of sleep, which can help increase awareness between the baby and mother.
- Ease of care: Co-sleeping can make it easier for caregivers to check on their babies, and babies won't have to call out and wait for help, leading to longer overall sleep for both.
- Synaptogenesis: The lighter sleep or REM sleep that co-sleeping facilitates is important for synaptogenesis, the rapid growth of connections between neurons in newborns.
- Historical and cultural norms: Co-sleeping has been practiced for most of human history and continues to be widespread around the world, with bed-sharing being a tradition in at least 40% of documented cultures.
Risks
However, there are also risks associated with co-sleeping that should be carefully considered:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Co-sleeping has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, especially when practiced unsafely or by parents who smoke, drink, or use drugs.
- Suffocation: Babies can be at risk of suffocation from bedding items such as pillows, blankets, or the adults themselves if they roll over.
- Respiratory problems: Babies born premature or underweight may experience respiratory problems if they sleep in the parental bed.
- Sleep training challenges: Co-sleeping may make it more difficult for babies to transition to independent sleeping as they get older.
Recommendations
If you choose to co-sleep, it is important to follow safety guidelines to reduce risks, such as:
- Keeping the baby on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface.
- Ensuring the sleep space is clear of hazards like pillows, blankets, and toys.
- Creating a smoke-free environment to reduce SUDI risk.
- Placing the baby on the side of the bed, away from the edge, and next to only one parent.
- Using a sidecar arrangement or modified crib to provide a separate sleep space for the baby within arm's reach.
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Frequently asked questions
It's biologically normal for newborns to need contact napping, and it's common for them to only sleep when held. Newborns follow their own schedule and don't yet have a sense of day and night. They wake often to eat, no matter the time.
You can try gradually decreasing the amount of time you hold them before placing them in their crib or bassinet to sleep. Start with one nap a day. Rocking, cuddling, and singing can help your baby settle down, and swaddling (wrapping them in a light blanket) can also soothe a crying baby. However, don't swaddle them once they start trying to roll over.
Many doctors in the US say that bed-sharing puts an infant at risk of sleep-related death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, bed-sharing is widespread around the world and has been practised for over 200,000 years. The risk of SIDS is influenced by factors such as whether the baby is premature, has a young mother, or is exposed to second-hand smoke.
