Evie Summers
Sleep is crucial for newborns as they grow and develop, but it can be challenging for parents and caregivers to get their newborns to sleep. While newborns typically cannot self-soothe, establishing a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits may help the baby sleep well later on. Self-soothing is a social-emotional skill that enables children to regulate their emotions and sleep for longer periods at night. On average, children begin to demonstrate self-soothing behaviours between three to four months old, and by six months, most infants can sleep for approximately eight hours without needing to feed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can newborns self-soothe to sleep? | No, newborns typically cannot self-soothe. |
| How to help newborns sleep | Establish a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits, such as putting the baby to bed at the same time each night in a quiet, dark room. |
| When can babies self-soothe? | On average, children begin to demonstrate self-soothing behaviors between three to four months old. |
| How to help babies self-soothe | Allow them to use self-soothing strategies such as sucking their hands. Give them time to settle on their own, but respond if they are really crying. |
| Benefits of self-soothing | Babies who can self-soothe sleep for longer periods and have longer total sleep times at night. |
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What You'll Learn
Establishing a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits
Understand Newborn Sleep Patterns
Newborns typically sleep for 15 to 18 hours a day but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours. They do not yet have an internal "clock" that distinguishes night from day. As they grow, they will need fewer night feeds and may sleep for longer stretches.
Create a Safe and Comfortable Sleep Environment
Ensure your baby's sleeping environment is safe, comfortable, and conducive to sleep. This includes a quiet, dark room with no choking hazards or hazardous objects nearby.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Consistency is key. Try to put your baby to bed at the same time each night and create a calming bedtime routine. This could include activities such as giving your baby a warm bath, reading a bedtime story, playing soft music, or dimming the lights. These rituals will help your baby associate bedtime with relaxation and sleep.
Daytime Napping
Most newborns nap frequently throughout the day. Keep an eye on the duration of their daytime naps, aiming for no more than 3 hours at a time. Experiment with different napping schedules to find what works best for your baby and helps them sleep better at night.
Stimulation and Circadian Rhythm
During the day, ensure your baby gets plenty of daylight and stimulation. This will help regulate their circadian rhythm and make them tired enough to sleep at night. However, avoid overstimulation close to bedtime, as this can make it harder for them to fall asleep.
Self-Soothing Techniques
Around the four-to-five-month mark, your baby's circadian rhythm starts to mature, and their sleep patterns may change. This is a good time to introduce self-soothing techniques gradually. You can do this by putting your baby to bed before they fall asleep, allowing them to fall asleep independently.
Seek Professional Advice
Remember that every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training. If you have concerns or need more advice, don't hesitate to reach out to your paediatrician, midwife, or a sleep consultant. They can provide personalized guidance based on your baby's specific needs.
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Self-soothing techniques
Newborns typically cannot self-soothe, but establishing a healthy sleep routine and habits from birth may help the baby sleep well later on. Babies love routine, so try to put your baby to bed at the same time every day. Don't skip naps or keep your baby up late. A schedule keeps them from becoming overtired, and their body clock will get used to it.
Once you have created a safe sleeping environment and established a bedtime routine that your baby responds well to, you can begin to introduce self-settling techniques. Common settling techniques include the 'pick-up, put-down settling method' and the 'shush-pat settling method'.
Pacifiers are a useful tool for babies under the age of 1. But use caution and limit pacifier use to naptime and bedtime. That way, your baby won’t learn to rely on the pacifier alone.
Babies often self-soothe using methods such as bringing a hand to their mouth, rocking their head back and forth, stroking their ears or nose, or holding their hands together.
If your baby is past the newborn stage but still cries relentlessly when you put them down, review their list of needs. Your baby won’t be able to self-soothe if:
- Their diaper is wet or soiled.
- Their clothing is too hot or too cold for the environment.
- There are too many distractions in the room, like a noisy TV or other children.
- They have gas or need to be burped.
- They’re hungry or thirsty.
- They’re overtired.
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The benefits of self-soothing
Newborns typically cannot self-soothe, but establishing a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits from birth may help the baby sleep well later on. Self-soothing is a social-emotional skill that children use to regulate their emotions. It is a life skill that will continue to develop over time.
Fewer interventions
Babies who self-soothe are able to fall asleep or return to sleep with little or no crying and minimal intervention from caregivers. This means that caregivers can get better sleep, which can have a significant positive impact on their mental health.
Improved sleep patterns
Self-soothing can help babies sleep for longer periods and reduce night wakings. This can lead to more predictable and settled sleep patterns for both babies and caregivers.
Emotional regulation
Babies who self-soothe are better able to regulate their emotions and manage their feelings of arousal. This skill continues to develop as they grow, leading to better tantrum management as toddlers and improved concentration and impulse control as older children.
Consistency and routine
Self-soothing is closely related to sensory preferences and routines. Sleep routines and consistent sleep times can provide the body with a signal that it's time to relax and sleep, leading to improved sleep patterns and a more settled routine for the entire family.
Independence
Allowing babies to self-soothe gives them the independence to calm and settle themselves without needing to be fed to sleep, pacified, or rocked. This can foster a sense of independence and self-reliance as they learn to manage their own emotions and sleep patterns.
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How to teach self-soothing
While newborns typically cannot self-soothe, establishing a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits may help them sleep well later on. Here are some tips on how to teach self-soothing:
Establish a bedtime routine
Putting the baby to bed at the same time each night in a quiet, dark room and establishing a bedtime routine, which may include a bath or a bedtime story, can help the baby sleep well. It is important to be warm and affectionate at bedtime so that the baby feels safe.
Avoid overstimulation
During the initial stages of teaching your baby to self-soothe, constant attempts at soothing can become overstimulating for the baby, especially if your baby is an over-sensitive sleeper. Try to soothe your baby without picking them up by rubbing their head, replacing their pacifier, repositioning them, or singing to them.
Be patient and consistent
Teaching your baby to self-soothe can be exhausting and seem like there is no end in sight. Remember that any new skill requires time and consistency. Your baby will learn, and it will get easier.
Create a safe sleeping environment
Red Nose Australia recommends sleeping in the same room as your child for the first six to 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Always remove toys, blankets, and other choking hazards from the baby’s bassinet/cot before sleep. Keep the cot/bassinet away from hanging cords such as blinds, curtains, and electrical appliances.
Consider self-settling techniques
Self-soothing and self-settling are different but related skills. Self-settling is when a child falls back to sleep without assistance from a parent or caregiver. Common self-settling techniques include the ‘pick-up, put-down settling method’ and the ‘shush-pat settling method’.
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Self-soothing products
Newborns typically cannot self-soothe and need help from their parents or caregivers to fall asleep. However, establishing a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits from birth may help the baby sleep well later on.
Swaddle blankets
Swaddle blankets, like the SWADDLE UP™, help newborns feel secure and comfortable, mimicking the feeling of being in the womb. The unique wing tips of the SWADDLE UP™ allow newborns to sleep in a natural ARMS-UP™ position, and its twin zipper design enables easy nappy changes without disturbing their sleep.
White noise machines
White noise machines can provide soothing sounds, such as gentle rain or a heartbeat, that mimic the noises newborns hear in the womb. This familiarity can help calm and relax them, aiding in self-soothing.
Pacifiers
Pacifiers are a well-known tool to help newborns self-soothe. They provide a sense of comfort and security, satisfying their natural sucking reflex. Pacifiers can help lengthen the time between feedings and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Crib mobiles
Crib mobiles, especially those with gentle music or slow-moving visuals, can help create a calming environment for newborns. They provide a focal point and a sense of familiarity, aiding in self-soothing and sleep.
Sleep sacks and transition suits
Sleep sacks and transition suits, such as the Ready To Roll collection, offer a cozy and secure feeling for newborns. They provide a gentle transition from swaddling and can help newborns feel comfortable and relaxed as they learn to self-soothe.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns typically cannot self-soothe. However, establishing a sleep routine and healthy sleep habits from birth may help the baby sleep well later on.
Self-soothing is a social-emotional skill that children use to regulate their emotions. It is a life skill that will continue to develop over time.
Self-soothing techniques include putting the baby to bed at the same time each night in a quiet, dark room, establishing a bedtime routine, and being warm and affectionate at bedtime so that the baby feels safe.
On average, children begin to demonstrate self-soothing behaviours between three to four months old. By six months, most infants can sleep for approximately eight hours without needing to feed.
You can help your baby self-soothe by creating a safe sleeping environment, establishing a routine, and deciding on a bedtime. You can also try the pick-up, put-down settling method or the shush-pat settling method.
