Evie Summers
Sleep is a precious commodity for new parents, and it can be challenging to get enough shuteye when you have a newborn. Newborns wake up frequently and take regular naps throughout the day, sleeping for a total of 16 to 18 hours every 24 hours. Their sleep patterns can be unpredictable, and they may struggle to differentiate between night and day. As a result, new parents often experience severe sleep deprivation, which can impact their ability to care for their baby and affect their overall well-being. However, there are strategies that parents can employ to maximise their sleep, such as prioritising rest, maintaining good sleep hygiene, and sharing baby duties with their partner or support network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should new parents sleep when the baby sleeps? | Yes, new parents should try to sleep when their baby sleeps. |
| How much sleep do newborns need? | Newborns sleep for a total of 16 to 18 hours a day, including frequent naps lasting 2 to 4 hours. |
| How often do newborns need to be fed? | Newborns should be fed every 2 to 4 hours until they reach a healthy birth weight. |
| How can parents ensure they get enough sleep? | Parents can take shifts, share feeding and diaper duties, and ask friends and family for help. |
| How can parents create a safe sleep environment for newborns? | Newborns should sleep on their back, in a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards, in a smoke-free room with a temperature between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| What are some tips for helping newborns sleep? | Keep the room calm and quiet during nighttime feedings and diaper changes, establish a soothing bedtime routine, and avoid too much stimulation before bedtime. |
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleep practices
Sleep is a big challenge for families with newborns, but following safe sleep practices can help prevent sleep-related fatalities. Here are some safe sleep practices for new parents:
Safe Sleep Environment
It is recommended that for at least the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, both day and night. This arrangement is known as room sharing and can help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation. Room sharing also makes feeding, comforting, and monitoring the baby easier. Keep the baby in a safety-approved crib or bassinet next to your bed to easily tend to the baby and then go back to sleep.
Safe Sleep Surfaces
Babies should sleep on a firm, flat, and level surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a tight-fitting sheet. The sleep surface should be free of any soft bedding, comforters, pillows, loose sheets, blankets, toys, positioners, or bumpers. These items could cause the baby to suffocate. Sleep surfaces with one end higher than the other or those that elevate both the baby's head and feet are not safe as they can cause positional asphyxia.
Safe Sleep Position
Always place your baby on their back to sleep. Do not put your baby to sleep on their side or stomach. Sleeping on their back reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Avoid Bed Sharing
Do not bed share with your baby. Bed sharing can increase the risk of SUIDS (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome) and accidental suffocation. Adult beds, couches, armchairs, and other soft sleep surfaces are not safe for babies. If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting your baby in your bed, put them back in their separate sleep area as soon as you wake up.
Other Considerations
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible. Newborns take frequent naps, and it is important to try to sync your sleep schedule with theirs.
- Avoid caffeine and electronics before bed, as they can interfere with your sleep cycle.
- Ask for help from your partner, friends, or family so you can get some rest. Share feedings, diaper changes, and other nighttime baby duties.
- Use a sleep sack or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.
- Be prepared to change sleep routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect your baby's sleep.
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Sharing responsibilities with your partner
Firstly, it is important to remember that newborns have no sense of day and night, and they sleep around the clock. They wake up every few hours to feed, so it is normal for parents to get up multiple times a night to tend to the baby. To ensure that both parents get adequate sleep, you can alternate nights or split each night into shifts. For example, one parent can be responsible for the baby until midnight, and then the other parent can take over. If one parent has a demanding weekday job, they can take charge of the baby on Friday and Saturday nights.
Additionally, you can share the responsibilities of feeding, burping, changing diapers, and putting the baby back to sleep. If you are breastfeeding, your partner can bring the baby to you to feed, and then take over once the baby is done eating. You can also ask a relative to stay over some nights to help with night feedings.
It is also important to plan and communicate with your partner to ensure that everyone knows what their responsibilities are. Keep a log of daily and nightly feedings and patterns to help with planning and to eliminate the need to wake your partner to ask questions. Be proactive and discuss a schedule or plan with your partner ahead of time to avoid arguments over whose responsibility is what. Consider the individual needs and schedules of each family member when devising a joint plan.
Finally, remember that every family is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. Be flexible and adjust your plan as needed to ensure that everyone's needs are being met.
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Daytime naps
Newborns take frequent naps lasting anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, for a total of 16 to 18 hours of sleep each day. Their sleep patterns are different from those of adults, and they wake up multiple times at night for the first few months. They also have no sense of day and night and will wake up to eat no matter the time.
As a new parent, you may experience severe sleep deprivation if you are only getting sleep at night. It is therefore recommended that you sleep when your baby sleeps. This can be challenging for parents with other children or due to internal body clocks, but it is important to prioritise getting enough sleep.
To make the most of daytime naps, try to keep things quiet and calm during the day. Avoid caffeine and electronics before bed, as these can interfere with your sleep cycle. Instead of doing chores, opt for sleep, and ask friends and family for help with tasks such as grocery shopping.
If you are breastfeeding, express milk so that your partner can give a bottle during the night, allowing you to get more rest. You can also ask your partner to take over early morning changing and dressing so that you can go back to sleep.
To ensure your baby's safety, they should sleep alone on their back, in a crib, bassinet, or portable crib in the same room as you for the first six months. This arrangement reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and makes nighttime feedings easier. The room temperature should be between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and the baby should not be able to grab onto cords, curtains, or other items that could pose a strangulation risk.
Additionally, avoid using blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in your baby's crib, as these can also be hazardous. Instead, use a sleep sack or swaddle to keep your baby warm.
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Sleep environment
The sleep environment of a newborn is crucial to ensuring their safety and comfort. Here are some detailed guidelines for creating a suitable sleep environment for your newborn:
Room-Sharing and Bed-Sharing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. Room-sharing involves placing your newborn's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate nursery. This arrangement facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night. While room-sharing is considered safe, bed-sharing, or allowing your infant to sleep in the same bed as you, increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.
Sleep Position
Always place your newborn on their back when they sleep. This sleep position is recommended by the AAP to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. However, when your baby is awake and under supervision, you can place them on their stomach to help develop the muscles of their eyes, stomach, and neck.
Immunization and Breastfeeding
The AAP recommends breastfeeding your newborn for at least 6 months. Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower rate of SIDS. Additionally, ensure that your baby receives the necessary immunizations as advised by their doctor.
Safe Sleep Surfaces and Products
Use sleep surfaces and products that have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. Avoid using infant seats, car seats, strollers, infant carriers, and swings for routine sleep and daily naps, as they may obstruct your newborn's airway or lead to suffocation.
Temperature and Stimulation
Maintain a comfortable temperature in your newborn's sleep environment. Being too hot or too cold can disturb their sleep. Additionally, avoid too much excitement and stimulation before bedtime, as this can make it harder for your baby to fall asleep. Opt for calmer activities, such as reading, to help your newborn wind down.
Swaddling
Swaddling, or wrapping your newborn snugly in a light blanket, can help soothe and calm them. However, do not swaddle if your baby is 2 months or older or if they can roll over independently. Stop swaddling if your baby starts trying to roll over, as swaddling a baby who can roll onto their stomach increases the risk of SIDS.
Crib and Bedtime Routine
Encourage your newborn to fall asleep in their crib to establish the association between the crib and sleep. Establishing a simple, soothing bedtime routine can also help your baby settle and provide an opportunity for bonding.
Remember, every newborn is unique, and their sleep patterns and preferences may vary. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding your newborn's sleep environment and habits.
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Sleep sacks
Some popular brands of sleep sacks include Milk Snob, Halo, Woolino, Pehr, and Kyte. The Halo sleep sack is made of 100% cotton and has adjustable wings that make it easy to put on and take off. The Woolino sleep sack is made of merino wool and cotton and can be used for up to 18 months or more. The Kyte sleep sack is known for its soft fabric and has been reviewed as one of the coziest options available.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sleep when your newborn sleeps. Newborns take frequent naps lasting anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, for a total of 16 to 18 hours of sleep each day. It is important for new parents to get enough sleep to be able to take care of their baby and be more patient and positive about parenting.
To ensure your newborn sleeps safely, follow these guidelines:
- Place your baby on their back to sleep, without any bumpers, stuffed animals, blankets or pillows.
- Use a sleep sack or swaddle to keep them warm without the risk of overheating.
- Maintain a room temperature between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid exposing your baby to secondhand smoke, which increases the risk of SIDS.
- Keep the sleep area clear of hazards such as cords, curtains, or anything that could pose a suffocation or strangulation risk.
To establish a healthy sleep routine:
- Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
- Maintain low lighting and avoid playing or talking to your baby excessively during nighttime routines to signal that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Establish a soothing bedtime routine, such as reading or singing a lullaby.
- Be prepared to adjust your routine as your baby grows and enters different developmental stages.
To optimize your sleep as a new parent:
- Prioritize sleep and practice good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding caffeine and electronics before bed.
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible, while remaining flexible and expecting nighttime awakenings.
- Share responsibilities with your partner, such as feedings, diaper changes, and other nighttime duties.
- Ask for help from friends or family with tasks such as grocery shopping or holding the baby while you nap.
- Remember that it's normal for newborns to wake up frequently, and it will get easier with time.
