Gina Johnson
Newborns sleep a lot—up to 16 to 18 hours a day—but they wake up frequently and don't sleep for long stretches. There are no rules for when or how long a baby sleeps, and each baby has a different sleep pattern. While you may not be able to schedule when or how long your baby sleeps, you can help your baby go to sleep. Here are some tips for laying your newborn down to sleep.
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleep surfaces
Ensuring your newborn sleeps on a safe surface is crucial. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants are always placed on their backs to sleep on a separate, firm, flat surface without any bumpers or loose bedding.
A crib or bassinet is a safe sleep surface for your baby. When using a crib, ensure it meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC website has a list of recalled products, so it is worth checking if your crib is on that list, especially if it is second-hand. Do not use a crib with missing instructions or parts. The space between the crib bars must be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart.
Other safe sleep surfaces include a portable crib, bassinet, or play yard that follows CPSC guidelines. A firm mattress covered with a sheet that fits snugly is also safe. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep soft objects, such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads, away from the baby's sleep area.
Babies should never sleep on sofas, car seats, carriers, swings, or other soft or angled surfaces.
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Soothing techniques
Newborns may sleep for a total of about 16 to 17 hours a day, including naps. However, they will likely wake up repeatedly in the night during the first few months. Here are some soothing techniques to help your newborn sleep:
- Swaddling: Wrapping your baby in a light blanket can help to soothe them and make them feel secure. Make sure to remove the blanket before they fall asleep to prevent overheating.
- Rocking: Gently rocking your baby can help them settle down and fall asleep.
- Singing: Softly singing lullabies or playing soothing music can create a calm environment and signal bedtime for your baby.
- Pacifier: Offering a pacifier at sleep time can help soothe your baby and promote sleep. However, don't force it, and if it falls out during sleep, you don't need to replace it.
- Bedtime routine: Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help set the tone for sleep. This can include activities such as bathing, reading, singing, and swaddling before laying your baby down in their crib or bassinet.
- Quiet time: Before putting your baby down to sleep, spend some quiet time holding them in your arms. This can help them relax and prepare for sleep.
- Firm sleep surface: Make sure your baby sleeps on a firm, flat surface, such as a crib or bassinet, without any pillows, blankets, or toys. A separate sleep surface is recommended to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Room temperature: Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to ensure they are comfortable and not too hot or cold, which can disturb their sleep.
- Feeding: Ensure your baby is well-fed and burped before laying them down to sleep. Breastfeeding at bedtime can help calm your baby.
- Avoid overstimulation: Keep the environment calm and quiet, especially during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Avoid too much excitement or stimulation before bedtime to prevent overstimulating your baby.
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Sleep schedules
The sleep schedule of a newborn baby is quite different from that of an adult. Newborns may sleep for a total of about 16 to 17 hours a day, including naps. However, they will invariably wake up repeatedly in the night during the first few months. This can be very hard to cope with, and it is important to ask for help from your partner, family, or friends.
During the first 6 weeks, a baby's sleep will be hard to predict. They are getting used to the new world around them and will sleep for only a few hours at a time, waking up many times throughout the day and night. It is normal and healthy for a baby to be hungry and nurse in the middle of the night, even after they begin eating solid food.
Over the next few weeks to months, you and your baby will begin to settle into a routine. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to know the difference between night and day. It is helpful to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in the crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
It is never too early to start a bedtime routine. A simple bedtime routine can be as easy as changing a diaper, putting on pajamas, singing a lullaby, and laying down in the crib or bassinet. Babies start to recognize routines as early as 8-12 weeks old. Beginning a bedtime routine with your newborn can set you up for sleep success moving forward. Some newborns do best with an earlier bedtime of 7:00-8:00 pm, while others are content later in the evening and thrive with a bedtime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm.
As your baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and may be able to sleep for longer. Some babies may sleep for 5 to 8 hours or longer at night, but not all.
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Sleep environment
The sleep environment for a newborn should be carefully prepared to ensure the baby's safety and comfort. Here are some detailed guidelines for creating a suitable sleep environment:
Sleep Surface and Positioning
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, both during naps and at night. This sleeping position is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and has significantly reduced the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Use a firm, flat sleep surface that meets current safety standards. A crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that follows the safety standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is ideal. Make sure the mattress is covered with a snugly fitting sheet, and remove any other items from the crib or bassinet, including plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads.
Room and Temperature
The baby's room should be kept quiet and calm, especially during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low if your baby wakes up during the night, and avoid playing or talking too much, as this reinforces the difference between night and day. Regarding temperature, dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature, avoiding overbundling. Do not cover the baby's head while they are sleeping, and watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
Smoking and Bed Sharing
Keep your baby away from smokers and secondhand smoke, as this increases the risk of SIDS. Ensure that no smoking or vaping takes place in the home, and do not share a bed with your baby. Bed sharing is not advised, especially if the baby is very young, premature, or if you have been under the influence of any substances. While it is safe to bring your baby to your bed for feedings and comforting, always return them to their own sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, for sleep.
Soothing Techniques
Soothing techniques can help your baby settle down and fall asleep. Swaddling, or wrapping the baby in a light blanket, can be calming, especially for younger infants. However, remove the blanket before the baby falls asleep, and discontinue swaddling if they start trying to roll over. Rocking, cuddling, and singing can also soothe a fussy baby. Offer a pacifier at sleep time, but don't force it, and there is no need to replace it if it falls out during sleep.
Routine and Feeding
Establishing a bedtime routine can help your baby settle into a sleep pattern. A simple routine might include changing a diaper, putting on pajamas, singing a lullaby, and laying the baby down in the crib or bassinet. The routine can be tailored to your baby's preferences, with some preferring an earlier bedtime and others thriving with a later one. Feeding your baby and ensuring they are burped before laying them down can also promote sleep. During the first few months, offer feedings every 2-3 hours during the day according to your baby's hunger cues.
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Bedtime routines
Establishing a bedtime routine for your newborn can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Start early: It is never too early to establish a bedtime routine. A simple routine can include changing diapers, putting on pajamas, singing a lullaby, swaddling, and laying your baby down in their crib or bassinet.
- Be consistent: Try to maintain a regular bedtime routine, as this will help your baby feel more secure and learn to calm themselves.
- Keep it calm: Opt for calm and quiet activities before bedtime, such as reading or singing lullabies. Avoid overstimulating your baby with too much excitement or activity.
- Wind down: Spend some time winding down before bedtime. Dim the lights and avoid playing or talking too much with your baby. This will signal that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Create a safe sleep environment: Ensure that your baby's sleep surface is firm, flat, and approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Remove any plush toys, pillows, blankets, or other items from the crib or bassinet. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, and avoid covering their head while they sleep.
- Respond to your baby's cues: Every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may vary. Pay attention to your baby's hunger cues and sleep signals. Offer feedings every 2-3 hours during the day, and don't be afraid to snuggle and soothe your baby if that's what they need to fall asleep.
- Be flexible: Remember that your baby's sleep patterns may change as they grow. Be prepared to adjust your bedtime routine as they enter different developmental stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep.
- Take care of yourself: Ask for help from your partner, family, or friends if you're feeling sleep-deprived. It's important for you to get rest too!
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns will sleep for around 16-18 hours a day, but this will be in short bursts, and they will invariably wake up repeatedly in the night. To get your newborn to sleep, make sure they are fed, burped, and have spent quiet time in your arms before being laid down. You can also try rocking, singing, or swaddling them.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. This is the best way to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Your baby should sleep on a separate, firm, flat surface with no pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or toys. Make sure any sleep products you use have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
Your baby should sleep in the same room as you but not in the same bed. You can bring your baby into your bed to feed or comfort them, but they should be returned to their own sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, to sleep.
In the first few weeks, your baby is likely to doze off for short periods during a feed. Carry on feeding until they are fully asleep, and try to get some rest yourself. As your baby gets older, their sleep will become more predictable and they will fall into a deep sleep faster. You can also try to establish a bedtime routine, which can help set the tone for bedtime and avoid overstimulating your baby.
