Colin Snow
A newborn baby's sleep schedule tends to coincide with feeding and changing, and they will typically wake up every few hours for feeding. While it can be challenging for parents to deal with a fussy baby, there are several strategies to help calm them down and put them to sleep. For instance, rocking, cuddling, and singing can help soothe a crying baby, and swaddling can also be effective. Additionally, creating a bedtime routine and a flexible daily schedule can help prevent overtiredness, which can make it harder for babies to fall asleep.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep patterns | Newborns sleep a lot during the day, but it's normal for them to wake up every few hours for feeding. |
| Sleep environment | Keep the room quiet, dark, and cool but comfortable. Ensure the crib is away from windows and radiators. |
| Soothing techniques | Rocking, cuddling, singing, swaddling, skin-to-skin contact, nursing, and gentle whispers can help soothe a fussy baby. |
| Overtiredness | Avoid keeping your baby up during the day, as overly tired infants may have more trouble sleeping at night. |
| Digestive issues | A fussy baby may be experiencing tummy troubles, indigestion, or gas. Rocking them on their left side can help ease digestive pain. |
| Feeding | Feed your baby every 3–4 hours until they show good weight gain, usually within the first couple of weeks. |
| Diapers | A wet or soiled diaper can cause discomfort and fussiness. |
| Temperature | Ensure your baby isn't too hot or cold. Dress them appropriately and adjust the room temperature as needed. |
| Illness | Keep an eye out for signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or trouble eating. Consult a healthcare provider if concerned. |
| Colic | Consult your baby's healthcare provider if you have concerns about colic. |
| Separation anxiety | Separation anxiety typically begins around 8–9 months when babies understand object permanence. |
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Soothing techniques
It is important to remember that newborns follow their own schedule and it may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to differentiate between night and day. During this time, you and your baby will settle into a routine.
- Identify the reason for their tears. Your baby might be tired, hungry, or need a diaper change.
- Try swaddling your baby (wrapping them in a light blanket).
- Rock your baby or sing to them as they settle down.
- Cuddle your baby. Skin-to-skin contact lets the baby smell you, which can help calm them.
- Nurse your baby. The sucking motion helps calm them down.
- Take your baby to a quiet, dark room. Reducing external stimulation can help your baby calm down and fall asleep.
- Try giving your baby a bath. Some babies respond well to the soothing comfort of warm water.
- Create a flexible daily schedule to prevent your baby from getting overtired.
- Try using a product like the SNOO Smart Sleeper, which rocks your baby and plays white noise to soothe them.
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Sleep cycles
The sleep cycle of infants differs from that of adults. Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Sleep cycles consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out or breathe noisily or irregularly. During quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. It is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep. This ability to settle themselves between sleep cycles is called self-settling.
Newborns generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period and do not know the difference between day and night. They think they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day. It may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to distinguish between night and day. To help your newborn settle into a routine, you can expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. At night, provide a dim and quiet environment.
Newborns spend roughly 50% of their time asleep in REM sleep. Since newborns sleep up to 18 hours each 24-hour period, they experience up to nine hours of REM each day. As a baby’s sleep schedule changes, so do their sleep cycles. Baby REM sleep is one part of the sleep cycle that changes over time. By adulthood, people experience REM for roughly 20% of each night’s sleep.
Although babies begin experiencing four stages of sleep around three months, it is not until they are closer to 5 years old that their sleep architecture, or the time spent in each sleep stage, begins to mirror that of adults. As babies, they experience a short REM stage almost immediately after falling asleep instead of at the end of the cycle, as is the case with adults.
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Overtiredness
Signs of overtiredness include yawning, crying, and fussiness. An overtired baby may also be difficult to soothe, have a lower frustration or pain threshold, take short catnaps that don't leave them feeling rested, and fall asleep at inappropriate times. They may also be overactive.
If your newborn is overtired, you can try swaddling them, holding them close to you, using a pacifier, rocking them in your arms or a stroller, creating white noise or soft music, or darkening the room to reduce stimulation. You should also ensure they are getting enough sleep during the day and follow a consistent bedtime routine.
To prevent overtiredness, watch for sleep cues such as eye rubbing, crankiness, and yawning, and respond by putting your baby down for a nap or bedtime. Limit stimulation before sleep and keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes.
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Baby's comfort
It is completely normal for newborns to be fussy at night and it is often a result of them trying to communicate their discomfort or needs to you. Here are some tips to help your baby feel more comfortable:
Establish a bedtime routine
Healthy sleep habits can be encouraged from the newborn stage, and they don't have to be elaborate. A routine can help your baby settle into a pattern and make them feel more comfortable. It is also important to understand your baby's sleep cycles and natural rhythms, as these are different from adults'.
Create a comfortable sleep environment
Make sure the room temperature is cool but comfortable and dress your baby in clothing meant for sleeping. The crib should be placed away from windows and radiators to avoid direct sunlight, drafts, and heat. Keep the lights low and limit stimulation by taking your baby to a quiet, dark room to help them calm down.
Identify the cause of fussiness
There are many reasons why your baby may be fussy, including hunger, a wet or soiled diaper, being too hot or cold, digestive issues, illness, or overstimulation. If your baby is crying and you're unsure why, walk through a checklist to identify what could be bothering them.
Soothing techniques
If your baby is fussy, try soft whispers, rocking, or gentle movements like the milkshake jiggle. Swaddling your baby in a light blanket can also be soothing, but stop swaddling if they start trying to roll over. Skin-to-skin contact and nursing can also help calm your baby and make them feel secure.
Remember, it's okay to comfort your baby when they are fussy. You can't spoil a newborn, and holding or carrying them during the day may even reduce colic and fussiness.
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Safe sleep practices
While it is normal for newborns to be fussy at night, it is important to prioritise their safety during sleep. Here are some safe sleep practices to follow:
Safe Sleep Environment
Create a safe sleep environment for your newborn by using a firm, flat, and level sleep surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard. Ensure that the mattress is covered with a tight-fitting sheet and remove all soft bedding, comforters, pillows, loose sheets, blankets, toys, and bumpers from the crib or sleep area. Newborns should not sleep on their side, and it is recommended to place them on their backs for sleep. Decorate the room as you wish, but keep the baby's sleep space empty.
Avoid Soft Sleep Surfaces
Do not let your baby sleep on adult beds, couches, armchairs, or other soft sleep surfaces. These surfaces can increase the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and accidental suffocation. If you choose to bed-share for breastfeeding or comfort, remove all pillows, blankets, and loose items from the bed to reduce the risk of suffocation and strangulation. Always move your baby back to their separate sleep area as soon as you wake up.
Safe Sleep Products
Use a sleep sack or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SUID, such as wedges, sleep positioners, or monitors, as they have not been proven effective or safe. Ensure that any sleep products you use, such as cribs or bassinets, have been approved by the relevant consumer safety organisations and meet federal safety standards.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Healthy sleep habits can start early. Establish a bedtime routine for your newborn, even if it's simple. A consistent routine can help your baby settle and sleep better.
Recognise Signs of Overtiredness
Newborns naturally become more tired as the day goes on. Recognise when your baby needs to sleep and avoid keeping them up to spend time as a family. An overtired baby may have trouble falling asleep and can become extra fussy.
Remember, it is normal for newborns to be fussy, and it may take a few weeks for them to distinguish between night and day. You can soothe your baby by rocking, cuddling, singing, or swaddling them with a light blanket.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need a lot of sleep and will spend more time asleep than awake for the first couple of months. They will sleep for longer stretches during the day and wake up every few hours at night for feeding.
There are several ways to calm a fussy newborn:
- Rocking or swinging them gently
- Cuddling and skin-to-skin contact
- Singing or soft whispers
- Swaddling or snug wraps
- White noise or soft sounds
- Feeding
- Diaper changes
- Checking for discomfort or digestive issues
- Regulating their body temperature
The witching hour is a term used to describe a period of time when a newborn becomes fussy and cries regularly, seemingly for no reason. It usually occurs when the baby is around 2-3 weeks old and coincides with when the parents are most tired, i.e., when they are starting to relax after dinner or when they are sleeping.
Overtiredness is common in babies, and they may become fussy and cry when they are overly tired. Signs that your newborn is tired and ready for sleep include:
- Increased fussiness
- Crying
- Rubbing eyes
- Yawning
Here are some safety tips for your newborn's sleep:
- Ensure that your baby sleeps on their back in a crib designed for sleeping.
- Avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors.
- Dress your baby in comfortable clothing meant for sleeping, and regulate the room temperature to avoid overheating or over-cooling.
- Place the crib away from windows, direct sunlight, drafts, and radiators.
