Evie Summers
Sleep is a common concern for new parents. Newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night for the first few months, and this can be very hard to cope with. There are many reasons why your baby may not be sleeping, including hunger, illness, or not understanding the time of day. Some newborns only sleep in their parents' arms, cry when put down, or won't sleep in a crib or bassinet. It's important to remember that every baby is different and will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping. If you're concerned about your newborn's sleep, consider consulting a pediatrician or a health visitor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for newborn not sleeping | Hunger, illness, not understanding the time of day, thirst, pain, gas, attachment to parents, light exposure, growth spurts, teething, temperature, illness, allergy |
| Actions to take | Put the baby to sleep when they are tired but still awake; gently touch, pat or stroke the baby; swaddle the baby; put the baby to sleep in a small crib; ensure the baby gets enough light during the day; limit daytime naps to three hours; make clear distinctions between day and night; get help from a partner, friend or relative; consult a pediatrician or health visitor |
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What You'll Learn
Establish a bedtime routine
Establishing a bedtime routine is key to helping your newborn sleep. Here are some tips to create a soothing and consistent bedtime routine:
Understand your newborn's sleep patterns and cues:
Newborns sleep whenever they feel like it, and their sleep patterns can vary. Some sleep for long periods, while others sleep in short bursts. They may sleep through the night or wake up frequently. Understanding your baby's unique sleep patterns and tired cues will help you establish a bedtime routine. For example, newborns may start showing signs of tiredness after 30 minutes of being awake, while 3- to 6-month-olds may get tired after 1.5 to 3 hours. Look for signs like yawning, heavy eyes, or cooing.
Create a calm and soothing environment:
Too much stimulation before bedtime can make it difficult for your baby to settle. Create a calm and soothing atmosphere by keeping the lights low, limiting sound and movement, and engaging in gentle activities like reading or singing lullabies. You can also try swaddling your baby, which provides a sense of comfort and security.
Consistent bedtime routine:
Consistency is essential in establishing a bedtime routine. Once you've identified your baby's tired cues, respond promptly and consistently. If your bedtime routine includes a lullaby and a story, ensure you do the same before nap time and bedtime. Consistency will help your baby recognize and adjust to the routine.
Wind-down period:
Introduce a wind-down period before bedtime to help your baby relax and prepare for sleep. This can include activities such as gently touching, patting, or stroking your baby. You can also incorporate a transitional object, like a blanket or stuffed animal, into the bedtime routine. Ensure your baby is old enough, as loose items in the crib can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Daytime light exposure and nighttime light avoidance:
Infants who get more exposure to light during the day tend to sleep better. Morning light, in particular, suppresses melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. By exposing your baby to daylight during the day and avoiding lights at night near their sleeping area, you can promote the development of their circadian rhythm.
Limit daytime naps:
While newborns need plenty of sleep, limiting their daytime naps to around three hours can help them differentiate between day and night. This, along with keeping their room dark during naps and avoiding screen time during nighttime feedings, can encourage a healthier sleep schedule.
Remember, every baby is unique, and it's important to be patient and flexible as you establish a bedtime routine that works best for your newborn.
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Try swaddling
Swaddling is a great way to help your newborn sleep. It involves wrapping them snugly in a blanket, which can help them feel secure and prevent their arms and legs from flailing and waking them up. You can also use the same blanket as a transitional object when they are old enough, so they can cuddle with it in their crib.
To swaddle your baby, spread a thin blanket on a flat surface and fold down the top corner by a few inches. Then, place your baby on their back on the blanket with their neck on the fold. Next, take the left corner and pull it securely across your baby's body and tuck it under their right side. Do the same with the right corner, tucking it under their left side. Finally, bring the bottom corner up and tuck it into the top of the swaddle. Make sure the swaddle is snug but not too tight, and avoid covering your baby's head.
Swaddling can be a great way to help your newborn sleep, but it's important to do it safely. Make sure to use a thin, breathable blanket to prevent your baby from overheating. Stop swaddling your baby once they start showing signs of rolling over, as this could be dangerous. Additionally, it's important to place your baby on their back to sleep and avoid using a sleep positioner.
If your baby is still having trouble sleeping, there are other approaches you can try. For example, you can try putting them to sleep in a small crib, which may help them feel snug and secure. You can also try to keep them awake a little longer during the day to increase their need for sleep at night.
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Make sure they're not too hot or cold
One of the reasons your newborn may not be sleeping is that they are too hot or cold. Newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night for the first few months, and their sleep patterns can be erratic. They may be unsettled and wake often overnight between sleep cycles and when they need to be fed or changed.
To help your newborn sleep, you should ensure that they are dressed appropriately for the temperature of their room. If they are too hot, consider removing a layer of clothing or bedding, or turning down the temperature in their room. If they are too cold, add an extra layer of clothing or bedding, or turn up the temperature.
It's important to remember that your newborn's sleep pattern will likely change as they grow and enter different stages of development. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps. Additionally, some newborns may be dependent on your presence to fall asleep, so it's important to gradually spend less time in their room each night and encourage them to self-settle.
If you're still struggling to get your newborn to sleep, you can try some of the following tips:
- Keep them awake a little longer during each waking period during the day to increase their need for sleep later.
- Limit daytime naps to three hours and make clear distinctions between day and night, such as keeping their room dark when they nap and avoiding turning on the TV during nighttime feedings.
- Expose your newborn to more light during the day, as this can help regulate their sleep-wake cycle.
- Be consistent with your bedtime routine, such as a lullaby and a story, and do the same before nap time.
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Get them used to sleeping on their back
It is important to get your newborn used to sleeping on their back, as sleeping on their tummy is linked to a much higher incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Firstly, try swaddling your baby. Swaddling can help keep their arms and legs still so they don't move and wake themselves up. You can also try putting them to sleep in a small crib, which may help them feel snug and secure. Additionally, you can give them a pacifier at bedtime to soothe them and help them settle.
It is also important to establish a consistent bedtime routine. This might include activities such as reading a lullaby or a story. By being consistent, you can help your baby get used to the idea that nighttime is for sleep. You should also try to make clear distinctions between day and night. For example, keep your baby's room dark when they nap during the day, and avoid turning on the TV during nighttime feedings.
Another tip is to watch for your baby's sleepy signs and put them down immediately. Babies from 0 to 3 months might start showing signs of tiredness after 30 minutes of being awake, while from 3 to 6 months, they might be tired after 1.5 to 3 hours. Learning to recognize these signs will help you encourage your baby to go to sleep at the right time.
Finally, it is important to remember that every baby is different and will have their own unique sleep patterns. Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages, as growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps.
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Make sure they're getting enough light during the day
If your newborn is not sleeping, there could be many reasons, and it is important to remember that this is a common issue. Newborns aged 0 to 3 months have not yet learned to settle by themselves and will need your help to settle and go back to sleep. This is called responsive settling.
One of the reasons for a newborn's erratic sleep schedule could be the lack of light exposure during the day. Dr. Mindell says, "Infants who get more exposure to light during the day sleep better." Morning light is especially important as it "suppresses melatonin—a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle—so that it peaks at the right time." The circadian rhythm, the natural cycle of the body that responds to light and dark, is undeveloped in newborns. However, by 11 weeks, the components of a baby's circadian rhythm are developed.
- Move your baby's high chair or nursing pillow to the sunniest spot in the house and feed them there.
- Keep your baby awake a little longer during each waking period during the day to increase their need for sleep later.
- Limit daytime naps to three hours and make clear distinctions between day and night.
- Keep the lights low or turned off near your baby's sleeping area at night.
- Avoid turning on the TV during nighttime feedings.
Remember, each baby is different, and their ability to settle comes down to their individual temperament. As your baby grows, be prepared to change routines and adapt to their changing sleep patterns.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns often wake up when laid in a crib due to the sudden change in environment. If your newborn won't sleep in their crib, you can try swaddling them or giving them a pacifier at bedtime. You can also try putting them down when they're tired but still awake, so they learn to settle by themselves.
Newborns may not sleep due to hunger, thirst, illness, discomfort, or not understanding the time of day. They may also be too hot or too cold.
Try to expose your newborn to more light during the day and less light at night to regulate their circadian rhythm. You can also keep them awake a little longer during the day to increase their need for sleep at night. Additionally, establish a consistent bedtime routine with calming activities like reading.
Your newborn may have become dependent on your presence to fall asleep. Gradually spend less time in their room each night, and consider using a transitional object like a swaddle blanket to help them feel secure.
You can speak to a pediatrician, your child's doctor, or a maternal and child health nurse. You can also seek advice from a health visitor or a midwife.
