Miya Pearson
Newborns typically sleep for a total of 16 to 17 hours a day, including naps. However, they usually sleep in short bursts and are unlikely to sleep for long stretches. This can be challenging for new parents, who often have to wake up multiple times during the night to tend to their baby. While there are no tricks to getting a newborn to sleep for longer stretches, there are some strategies that parents can use to help their baby fall asleep and stay asleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns may sleep for a total of 14 to 18 hours a day (including naps). |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns follow their own sleep patterns and schedules. Some sleep for long periods, while others in short bursts. Some sleep through the night, while others don't. |
| Sleep environment | A firm, flat sleep surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable crib, that meets the safety standards of the CPSC is recommended. Keep the sleep area free from toys, pillows, blankets, and other loose items. |
| Sleep position | Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. |
| Bedding | Use a fitted sheet that fits snugly over the mattress. Avoid fluffy blankets, comforters, and other soft materials. |
| Temperature | Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating or becoming too cold. |
| Smoking | Keep smoke of any kind, including cigarettes, marijuana, and vaping, away from your baby. |
| Pacifiers | Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it. If you're breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is established before offering a pacifier. |
| Soothing techniques | Rocking, cuddling, singing, and swaddling can help soothe your baby before sleep. |
| Feeding | Newborns should be awakened to feed every 3–4 hours until they show good weight gain. |
| Stimulation | Avoid too much excitement and stimulation before bedtime. Try to keep things calm and quiet during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. |
| Self-soothing | Encourage your baby to fall asleep on their own by putting them down when they're drowsy but still awake. |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns may resist being put down to sleep because they are still adjusting to life outside the womb
- It is important to establish healthy sleep habits early on, such as putting your baby down when they are drowsy but awake
- Safe sleep practices include using a firm, flat surface that meets CPSC safety standards and avoiding soft bedding
- Avoid co-sleeping on couches, beds, or other surfaces as it increases the risk of SIDS
- Soothing techniques like rocking, swaddling, and offering a pacifier can help your newborn settle down to sleep
Newborns may resist being put down to sleep because they are still adjusting to life outside the womb
- Create a soothing environment: Newborns can be sensitive to noises, lights, and other sensory stimulation. Keep the lights low, minimize noise, and maintain a calm atmosphere during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. This helps signal to your baby that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Swaddle your baby: Swaddling involves wrapping your baby snugly in a light blanket. It can provide a sense of comfort and security, mimicking the feeling of being in the womb. Swaddling can also help prevent your baby from startling themselves awake.
- Use a bassinet: Before transitioning to a crib, consider using a bassinet as it is cozier and more comforting for a newborn. You can place the bassinet close to you, providing a sense of proximity and familiarity for your baby.
- Rock and soothe: Gentle rocking, cuddling, and singing can help your baby settle down. Most babies enjoy rhythmic motion and find it calming. You can also offer a pacifier to satisfy their sucking reflex, which can lower their heart rate and stress levels, aiding sleep.
- Establish a routine: While newborns don't follow a rigid sleep schedule, you can watch for signs of fatigue and put them down before they get overtired. Look for sleep readiness signs such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, fussing, or pulling their ear. Over time, you can establish a bedtime routine, which can help your baby adjust to a sleep schedule.
- Avoid overstimulation: Too much excitement or stimulation before bedtime can make it difficult for your baby to fall asleep. Opt for calmer activities, such as reading, to help your baby wind down and prepare for sleep.
- Safe sleep surface: Ensure that your baby's sleep surface is firm, flat, and approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Remove any soft objects, plush toys, or loose bedding from the crib or bassinet to prevent the risk of suffocation.
- Keep baby close: For the first six months, it is recommended to have your baby sleep in the same room as you, not on the same bed. This allows you to keep a close eye on your baby while providing a sense of security and comfort.
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It is important to establish healthy sleep habits early on, such as putting your baby down when they are drowsy but awake
Newborns may sleep for a total of about 16 to 17 hours a day, including naps. However, they rarely sleep for long stretches, and there are no rules for when or how long a baby sleeps. It is important to establish healthy sleep habits early on, such as putting your baby down when they are drowsy but awake. This teaches them the skill of falling asleep on their own. If you rock or nurse your baby to sleep, they may fuss when they wake up and realise you are no longer there.
To establish healthy sleep habits, it is important to learn the physical signs that your baby is tired and ready for sleep. Look out for signs of drowsiness such as yawning, eye rubbing, thumb sucking, pulling on their ear, or some fussiness. You can then put your baby down in their crib when they are drowsy but awake. If you are in a two-parent household, one caretaker can nurse the baby, and the other can take over the rest of the bedtime routine, such as changing the baby's diaper, putting them in their pajamas, and singing a song before putting the baby in their crib awake. Over time, the baby will learn that this routine signals bedtime.
It is also important to make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use to help your baby sleep have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. The sleep surface should be firm, flat, and free from blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, and other items. The mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet, and the space between crib bars must be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby from getting their head stuck.
Additionally, always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Keep the baby away from smokers, as second-hand smoke increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Offer a pacifier at sleep time, but don't force it. If you are breastfeeding, wait until it is firmly established.
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Safe sleep practices include using a firm, flat surface that meets CPSC safety standards and avoiding soft bedding
Safe sleep practices are essential to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is recommended that newborns sleep for a total of 16 to 17 hours a day, including naps. However, there is no fixed rule for when or how long a baby sleeps.
To ensure safe sleep practices for your newborn, it is crucial to use a firm, flat surface that meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards. A crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard can be safe sleep spaces as long as they adhere to CPSC guidelines. The CPSC website provides information on product recalls, and it is essential to check for any recalls before using a product. Additionally, the space between crib bars should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head from getting stuck.
The sleep surface should be firm and flat, with thin, firm padding. It is recommended to cover the mattress with a fitted sheet that fits snugly and avoid using soft bedding such as pillows, quilts, comforters, or anything plush. Soft surfaces and loose bedding can increase the risk of suffocation, and babies may not have the strength to lift their heads away from soft objects.
To create a safe sleep environment, it is crucial to avoid smoking or using nicotine around the baby. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS, and babies exposed to smoke have more colds and other diseases. It is also important to note that sitting devices, such as car seats, strollers, swings, and infant carriers, are not recommended for routine sleep. If your baby falls asleep in one of these devices, move them to a firm sleep surface on their back as soon as possible.
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Avoid co-sleeping on couches, beds, or other surfaces as it increases the risk of SIDS
It is understandable that new parents would want to co-sleep with their newborn babies. However, co-sleeping on couches, beds, or other surfaces increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Firstly, it is important to understand that SIDS is a real concern. In Ireland, for instance, 49% of SIDS cases occur when the infant is bed-sharing with an adult. The risk associated with bed-sharing is three times greater for infants with low birth weight and increases fourfold if the combined tog value of clothing and bedding is greater than or equal to 10.
Secondly, co-sleeping on sofas, couches, armchairs, or other soft surfaces is considered a dangerous practice. This is because the soft surface increases the risk of suffocation or SIDS. The space between crib bars must be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby from getting their head stuck.
Thirdly, the additional body heat from adults sharing the bed can increase the risk of SIDS. Babies can overheat due to too much bedding, clothing, or a hot room, and overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS. Therefore, it is important to keep the room at a comfortable temperature and use layers of lightweight blankets that can be adjusted as needed.
Lastly, it is important to establish healthy sleep habits early on. Babies can be taught to fall asleep on their own after the first few months. Look for signs of drowsiness, such as yawning or rubbing eyes, and put them down to sleep before they get overtired.
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Soothing techniques like rocking, swaddling, and offering a pacifier can help your newborn settle down to sleep
Soothing Techniques for Newborns
Newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night during the first few months. This can be very challenging for parents, who may get up many times to tend to the baby. Each baby has a different sleep pattern. Some start to sleep through the night (for 5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months of age, but some don't.
Rocking
Rocking your baby to sleep is one of the greatest joys of parenthood. It is okay to rock, cuddle, and sing to your baby as they settle down. However, some sources advise against rocking your baby to sleep, as babies who are rocked to sleep may have more sleep challenges than those who aren't. If rocking works for you, you don't need to change it. You can try something new if rocking stops working for you or the baby.
Swaddling
Swaddling involves wrapping the baby in a light blanket or infant sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket or sleep sack. It can help soothe a crying baby. However, if your baby starts trying to roll over while swaddled, it's a sign that you should stop swaddling.
Pacifiers
Pacifiers can help babies get the sleep they need. They may also be used to help babies develop their oral motor skills and provide pain relief during certain medical procedures. However, they may interfere with breastfeeding and contribute to dental issues, ear infections, and oral yeast infections. If you choose to offer your baby a pacifier, it is important to consult your pediatrician first.
Other Soothing Techniques
- Singing lullabies
- Wind-up musical mobiles
- Reading
- Massage
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns are still adjusting to life outside the womb and being held can make them feel more secure. They are also sensitive to noise, light, and other sensory stimulation, so they may wake up when they sense they are being put down.
You can first try a bassinet as it's cozier and more comforting for a tiny baby. You can then transition to a crib when they are more accustomed to sleeping separately from you. It is also important to put your baby down when they are calm and drowsy but not yet asleep, so they learn how to fall asleep on their own.
Make sure your baby is fed, burped, and has spent quiet time in your arms before being laid down to sleep. You can also use a soothing sensation, such as rocking or offering a pacifier. During the day, talk and play with your baby to help them sleep for longer periods at night.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Do not use fluffy blankets or comforters, and keep smoke away from your baby. Bed-sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
