Miya Pearson
Sleep is critical for new parents, but it can be challenging to get enough of it when you have a newborn. Newborns need to eat around the clock, so frequent wake-ups are to be expected, and they don't yet have a sense of day and night. While it can be tempting to use your baby's naptime to catch up on chores, it's important to prioritize your own rest. This might mean asking your partner or a friend to help with feeds or other tasks so you can get some sleep. Establishing a soothing bedtime routine for your baby can also help them settle and give you some one-on-one time together. While it can be frustrating and exhausting when your newborn is on a day/night reversal schedule, this is usually temporary, and there are things you can do to help them learn the difference between day and night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns need about 14 to 18 hours of sleep each day |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns wake up repeatedly at night for the first few months |
| Sleep position | Babies should sleep on their backs |
| Sleep environment | Keep the baby's room dark during naps |
| Sleep routine | Establish a consistent bedtime routine with calming activities |
| Sleep aids | Swaddling, rocking, and singing can help soothe the baby to sleep |
| Sleep disruptions | Hunger, thirst, illness, and changes in routine can disrupt the baby's sleep |
| Parental sleep | Parents may experience sleep deprivation and exhaustion |
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What You'll Learn
- Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day can cause newborns to stay awake at night
- Newborns need frequent feedings, so they can't sleep for long stretches
- Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes
- Swaddling can help newborns feel secure and prevent them from waking themselves up
- Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine and weaning nighttime feeds can help newborns sleep through the night
Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day can cause newborns to stay awake at night
Newborns have their own sleep schedule, and in the first few weeks, their brain is still learning to differentiate between night and day. They may sleep well one night and terribly the next, and this is normal. Newborns also need to eat every 2 to 4 hours, so they will wake up frequently to feed. Hunger is a common reason for newborns to wake up during the night. They may also wake up due to thirst, or because they are uncomfortable.
To help your newborn understand the difference between night and day, keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking to your baby. During the day, create an environment that signals it is time to learn and play. Open the blinds and curtains, play and interact with your baby, and don't be afraid to be a little noisy.
Establishing a simple, soothing bedtime routine may help your baby settle and is a great opportunity for one-on-one time. You can sing a lullaby or use a wind-up musical mobile. Swaddling can also help keep your baby's arms and legs still so they don't move and wake themselves up.
Remember, the first few months can be the hardest for parents, and it's normal to get up many times during the night to tend to your baby. Keeping your baby safe is the top priority, and you should always learn how to put your baby down safely for a nap or bedtime to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Newborns need frequent feedings, so they can't sleep for long stretches
Newborns need to feed frequently, so it's normal for them to wake up multiple times during the night. They don't eat much in a single feeding, and they digest breast milk quickly, so they need to be fed every few hours. This can be challenging for parents, who also need adequate sleep.
To help your newborn sleep, you can establish a soothing bedtime routine. Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, with low lighting. You can also try swaddling your baby, which can help them feel secure and prevent them from moving too much and waking themselves up. Just be sure to stop swaddling once they start trying to roll over.
It's important to note that newborns don't yet have a sense of day and night, so their sleep patterns can be unpredictable. They may sleep well during the day but stay awake at night. This is normal and usually corrects itself as they adjust to life outside the womb. You can help them differentiate between day and night by limiting daytime naps to three hours and making clear distinctions between daytime and nighttime routines.
As your baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and will be able to sleep for longer stretches. Most babies start sleeping for longer periods around 2 to 3 months old as they drop some night feedings. By 6 months, many babies are physiologically capable of sleeping through the night without feedings, but 25%-50% still wake up during this time.
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Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes
Newborns follow their own schedule and have no sense of day and night. They wake up frequently to eat and will also wake up if they are too hot or too cold. As a result, the first few months can be very hard on parents, who may find themselves getting up many times a night to tend to their baby.
To help your baby learn that night-time is for sleeping, it is important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid turning on the TV or playing with your baby. This will help reinforce the idea that night-time is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they can associate it with sleep.
You can also try to keep your baby awake a little longer during each waking period during the day. This may help them sleep better at night. However, do not keep your baby awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night, as overly tired infants tend to have more trouble sleeping. Instead, try to establish a soothing bedtime routine, such as singing a lullaby or reading a book.
Remember, the first few months can be challenging, and it is normal to feel tired and overwhelmed. If you have a partner, ask them to help with feedings and diaper changes, especially in the early morning so you can get some extra sleep. If you are formula feeding, they can share the feeds, and if you are breastfeeding, they can give a bottle of expressed breast milk occasionally during the night. You can also ask a friend or relative to help out so you can get some rest.
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Swaddling can help newborns feel secure and prevent them from waking themselves up
It is common for new parents to struggle with sleep when their newborn wakes up repeatedly at night. This is perfectly normal, as newborns follow their own schedule and will invariably wake up multiple times in the night during the first few months. Their sleep patterns vary, but they can sleep for around 18 hours a day, including daytime naps.
Newborns wake up frequently due to hunger, thirst, or discomfort. They also do not understand the difference between night and day. As they grow, they will need fewer night feeds and may sleep for longer. Establishing a soothing bedtime routine can help newborns settle and learn that night-time is for sleeping.
Swaddling is a technique that involves wrapping a baby snugly in a light blanket or swaddle cloth. It can help newborns feel secure and prevent them from waking themselves up by keeping their arms and legs still. Swaddling also helps to calm babies by reminding them of the familiar feeling of being in the womb. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as a safe and effective way to promote sleep when done correctly.
However, it is important to note that swaddling should be done securely but not too tightly or loosely. It should also provide the right amount of insulation without being too heavy. Additionally, once a baby starts trying to roll over, it is a sign to stop swaddling, as it can increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine and weaning nighttime feeds can help newborns sleep through the night
Newborns follow their own schedule, and it may take a few weeks for them to settle into a routine and learn the difference between night and day. During this time, it's important to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and refraining from playing with or talking to your baby will help send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
Establishing a bedtime routine can be a great opportunity to bond with your baby and help them settle. A positive bedtime routine can soothe and calm your baby so they're ready for sleep. Singing a lullaby or using a wind-up musical mobile can be incorporated into this routine. It's important to note that a bedtime routine doesn't have to include feeding. In fact, feeding your baby earlier in the evening can help reduce the frequency of overnight feeding.
If you decide to phase out night feeds, it's recommended to do so gradually. This can be done by gradually reducing the time spent feeding or the amount of milk consumed over several nights. For example, if your baby usually drinks 180 ml, you can give them 150 ml for two nights, then 120 ml for the next two nights, and so on. It's important to ensure that your baby is getting enough calories during the day to sustain them through the night.
Remember, every baby has unique feeding and sleeping needs, so it's always a good idea to discuss any night weaning plans with your pediatrician or healthcare provider to ensure they are appropriate for your baby's individual needs.
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Frequently asked questions
It's common for new parents to struggle with sleep when their baby sleeps. This is often due to exhaustion and the stress of having a newborn. If you're feeling this way, it's important to prioritise rest and ask for help from your partner, family, or friends.
Newborns need to eat around the clock, so frequent wake-ups are normal. As your baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and will start to sleep for longer stretches. You can help your baby establish a healthy sleep routine by keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, and making clear distinctions between day and night.
It's important to always place your baby on their back to sleep and use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib. Remove all pillows, blankets, and toys from the crib, and make sure your baby's face and head stay uncovered. Swaddling can also help soothe your baby and keep them from moving too much in their sleep.
Newborns typically need around 14 to 18 hours of sleep per day, including daytime naps. However, the range of what is normal varies, and some babies may sleep less or more than others.
Some babies fuss or cry when they are tired, while others may rub their eyes, stare off into space, or pull on their ears. Learning your baby's sleep cues will help you establish a consistent sleep schedule, which is important for healthy sleep habits.
