Gina Johnson
Newborns have different sleep patterns and behaviours than older children and adults. They sleep for 12 to 18 hours a day, but in short bursts, and do not know the difference between day and night. They wake up frequently at night to be fed or changed. It is normal for newborns to only want to sleep in their parents' arms or on their chests. This is because they find comfort in their mother's scent and the warmth of their body. Skin-to-skin contact with the parent also has several health benefits for the newborn, such as stabilizing heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin-to-skin contact | Stabilizes heart rate, breathing, and body temperature |
| Improves infant oxygen saturation levels | |
| Reduces crying and increases sleep and weight gain | |
| Facilitates successful feeding episodes | |
| Aids in learning the mother's scent | |
| Reduces maternal and paternal stress and depression | |
| Increases parental engagement and satisfaction | |
| Sleeping environment | A dark room with white noise or lullabies |
| Proper swaddling with a consistent routine | |
| Bedside bassinet or co-sleeping | |
| Gas relief drops for gas pains | |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns sleep 12-18 hours a day in short bursts |
| They wake up frequently at night for feeding and changing | |
| They gradually learn the difference between day and night after 3 months | |
| Safe sleeping position on the back to prevent SIDS |
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What You'll Learn
- Skin-to-skin contact is stabilising for newborns and has health benefits for both parents and babies
- Newborns sleep in short bursts, waking frequently during the night to feed
- Newborns don't have an established sleep-wake rhythm and don't know the difference between day and night
- It's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise
- Safe sleeping practices include placing your baby on their back and keeping the sleep surface flat and free of toys, pillows and blankets
Skin-to-skin contact is stabilising for newborns and has health benefits for both parents and babies
Skin-to-skin contact stabilises the newborn's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. It also helps babies grow: kangaroo care improves infant oxygen saturation levels, and babies who sleep on their parents' chests cry less, sleep more, and gain more weight. Chest-to-chest sleeping also seems to aid successful feeding episodes and helps infants learn their mother's scent.
For parents, the release of oxytocin from holding their baby reduces stress and increases engagement and satisfaction. Skin-to-skin contact has also been shown to reduce maternal depression, which is common in the early weeks after birth.
To facilitate skin-to-skin contact, the newborn is typically dressed only in a nappy and placed chest-to-chest against the parent, with the baby's head turned slightly to allow for open airways. Pre-warmed blankets can be placed over both the baby and the parent. It is recommended that parents and newborns rest in this position for at least an hour after birth, regardless of the feeding or delivery method.
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Newborns sleep in short bursts, waking frequently during the night to feed
Newborns will wake every couple of hours to eat, with breastfed babies feeding more frequently (every 2–3 hours) than bottle-fed babies (every 3–4 hours). It is important to wake your baby to feed every 3–4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it is okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night.
To help your baby develop an internal clock, you can keep them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and remove bright lights at night. You can also try to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, keeping the lights low and avoiding the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will help reinforce the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
Skin-to-skin contact is also highly beneficial for newborns and their parents. It stabilizes the baby's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature and can aid in successful latching for breastfeeding. It also releases oxytocin in parents, reducing stress and increasing engagement and satisfaction.
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Newborns don't have an established sleep-wake rhythm and don't know the difference between day and night
Newborns have different sleep patterns and behaviours compared to adults. They sleep for around 12 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, but do not have an established sleep-wake rhythm and do not know the difference between day and night.
Newborns wake up frequently during the night in the first few months, and this can be very challenging for parents, who have to get up many times to tend to their baby. Newborns need to be fed or changed regularly, so they usually sleep in short periods. They also have their longest periods of crying in the first three months, with crying and fussing tending to happen in the late afternoon and evening.
To help your newborn learn to sleep more at night, expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night. It is important to establish a sleep routine that prioritises your newborn's feeding needs rather than trying to establish a strict sleeping routine.
It is normal for newborns to only want to sleep in their parents' arms or while being held. This is because they are used to being in their mother's belly and crave the warmth and comfort it provided. To help with this, you can try using a piece of clothing with your scent on it or a bedside bassinet that can be warmed with an electric warmer before placing the baby inside.
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It's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours a day, waking up repeatedly during the night to feed. They do not have an established sleep-wake rhythm and do not know the difference between day and night. It is important to understand that each baby has a different sleep pattern, and there is a wide range of what is considered normal sleep behaviour for newborns.
It is good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise. This can be achieved by teaching your baby that night-time is different from daytime. During the day, open the curtains, play games, and do not worry about everyday noises when they sleep. At night, provide a dim and quiet environment. Over time, your baby will gradually learn that night-time is for sleeping.
In addition to light and noise levels, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine can help your baby develop a sleep-wake rhythm. This includes winding down with calmer activities before bedtime, such as reading a book. It is also important to establish a safe sleeping position for your baby. The safest way for a baby to sleep is on their back, known as the supine position, as it lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
To help your newborn sleep more at night, you can expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. This will help them start to learn the difference between day and night. Additionally, swaddling your baby (wrapping them in a light blanket) can be soothing and help them sleep better. However, if they start trying to roll over while swaddled, it is a sign to stop.
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Safe sleeping practices include placing your baby on their back and keeping the sleep surface flat and free of toys, pillows and blankets
Newborns like to sleep on their parents' chests because it stabilizes their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature, and also because they enjoy the comfort of being close to their parents. It is beneficial for the parents as well, as it reduces stress and increases parental engagement and satisfaction.
Now, here are some safe sleeping practices to ensure your baby's well-being:
Placing your baby on their back: It is recommended that babies be placed on their backs to sleep, both at bedtime and naptime. This practice has been proven effective in reducing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.
Keeping the sleep surface flat and free of toys, pillows, and blankets: The sleep surface for your baby should be separate but close by, and it should be flat and firm, such as a crib or bassinet with a thin, tight-fitting sheet. Soft bedding, comforters, loose sheets, blankets, pillows, toys, and other similar items should be avoided as they can pose a risk of suffocation or strangulation.
Using a sleep sack or wearable blanket: To keep your baby warm, consider using a sleep sack or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets. This helps to ensure that your baby's face remains uncovered, reducing the risk of suffocation.
Creating a safe sleep environment: It is important to educate all caregivers about safe sleep practices. This includes keeping the baby's sleep area separate from adult beds, couches, armchairs, or other soft sleep surfaces. Bed sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of SUIDS.
Following a consistent routine: Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help your baby sleep better. This includes winding down with calmer activities before bedtime, such as reading or singing lullabies. Maintaining a similar routine as your baby grows older can also be beneficial.
Remembering temperature regulation: Being too hot or too cold can disturb your baby's sleep. Ensure your baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature, and consider using a swaddle or an extra layer if necessary.
In summary, safe sleeping practices for newborns include placing them on their backs on a flat, firm surface, free of any objects that could pose a risk of suffocation. Creating a safe and consistent sleep environment and ensuring proper temperature regulation are also crucial for your baby's well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns like to sleep on their parents' chests because their physiological needs are being met on a fundamental level. Skin-to-skin contact is stabilizing for the baby as it stabilizes heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. It also helps babies grow as they sleep more and gain more weight.
Skin-to-skin contact has countless health benefits for newborns. It improves infant oxygen saturation levels and helps them learn their mother's scent. It also aids in successful latching and lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Skin-to-skin contact releases oxytocin, which reduces stress and increases engagement and satisfaction for parents. It also helps reduce maternal depression, which is common in the early weeks after birth.
Newborns typically sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. They do not know the difference between day and night and wake up frequently to be fed or changed.
