Herbie Murray
Sleep is critical for a newborn's growth and brain development. However, it can be challenging for new parents to navigate their baby's sleep patterns and prevent overtiredness. Overtired babies may experience a stress response, with elevated cortisol and adrenaline levels, making it harder to settle and stay asleep. This can lead to a cycle of insufficient sleep, impacting both the baby's and caregiver's well-being. Recognizing sleep cues, maintaining a consistent routine, and providing a calm environment are essential strategies to promote healthy sleep habits in newborns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 11-17 hours a day |
| Sleep cycle | 2-3 naps during the day followed by a longer stretch at night |
| Sleep routine | Feeding needs are prioritised over a strict sleeping routine |
| Self-soothing | Babies can't self-soothe until they are 3 months old |
| Sleep environment | No pillows, quilts, comforters, toys, or other soft products in the crib |
| Swaddling | Safe until the baby starts to roll over |
| Room-sharing | Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for at least the first 6 months |
| Bed-sharing | Not recommended due to increased risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths |
| Sleep position | Baby should always be placed on their back |
| Overheating | Dress the baby according to room temperature and avoid covering their head |
| Smoking | Keep the baby away from secondhand smoke |
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What You'll Learn
Hungry
As a new parent, understanding your newborn's needs can be challenging, especially when balancing sleep and hunger. Newborns have tiny stomachs that can only hold a small amount of milk, so they need to be fed frequently, typically every 2-3 hours. As they grow older, their nighttime needs change, and the need for nighttime calories decreases.
When a newborn is hungry, their body is in a state of alertness, making it difficult for them to settle down and fall asleep. Even if they do fall asleep, hunger causes them to wake up frequently, leading to disrupted sleep patterns. Their body's hunger signals keep nudging them awake, making it difficult to stay asleep for long stretches as their body needs nourishment. This can lead to poor growth and development over time.
However, some newborns may drift off to sleep even when hungry. This sleep is usually light and fragmented, and they may continue to wake up intermittently. If a baby is truly hungry, they won't give up easily and will continue to cry and be unsettled. They will eat more vigorously and finish their feedings.
To promote longer and more restful sleep, it is important to ensure your baby is well-fed before putting them to sleep. Night feedings should be kept calm and quiet, with minimal distractions and a comfortable feeding position. Skin-to-skin contact and swaddling after feeding can also help soothe your baby and promote better rest.
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Overstimulated
Overstimulation in newborns happens when they are overwhelmed by more experiences, sensations, noise, and activity than they can handle. This can lead to the release of cortisol, the stress hormone, in their brains, making it difficult for them to fall and stay asleep. Newborns might also become less responsive, difficult to calm, and experience increased separation anxiety when overstimulated.
To prevent overstimulation in newborns, it is important to provide them with a calm and familiar environment. This can include reducing noise and limiting screen time, as well as engaging in calming activities such as reading a book or lying down together. It is also beneficial to stick to a consistent sleep routine and create a sleep plan. Additionally, newborns can find comfort in being carried close to their caregiver's body or wrapped in a sling, which reduces physical sensations.
If a newborn does become overstimulated, it is important to remain calm and change their environment to a quieter and darker place, such as a nursery or a stroller with a cover draped over it. Lowering the lighting, turning off the TV, and using a warm cloth on the baby's neck can also help. Skin-to-skin contact and speaking in soothing tones can further comfort an overstimulated newborn.
It is normal for newborns to experience overstimulation as they explore the world and build resilience. Caregivers can care for themselves while also implementing strategies to calm their babies.
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Tired
Newborns have their own sleep patterns and needs. In general, newborns are asleep more than they are awake, sleeping for around 18 hours a day. However, this sleep is spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night, with newborns waking up frequently due to their tiny tummies and need to be fed every few hours. As they grow, they will need fewer night feeds and may sleep for longer stretches.
It is important to remember that keeping your newborn awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night is not a good strategy. Overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping at night than those who have had enough sleep during the day. Instead, it is recommended to keep them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and remove bright lights at night to help them develop an internal clock or circadian rhythm.
To help your newborn sleep, you can create a calm and quiet environment during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking with your baby to reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping. It is also important to ensure your baby's sleeping space is comfortable and safe, maintaining a temperature between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
Additionally, establishing a bedtime routine can help signal the end of the day. This can include activities such as bathing, reading, and singing, which can soothe your baby and prepare them for sleep. It is also recommended to put your baby in their crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake, as this will help them learn to fall asleep on their own.
If you are feeling tired and struggling to cope, it is important to prioritize your rest. Try to sleep or rest when your baby sleeps, and if you have a partner, ask them to help with feedings or morning care so you can get more sleep. Regular exercise, such as walking, and relaxation techniques can also help you feel less tired and manage stress. If you are feeling persistently tired, it is important to seek support and speak to a healthcare professional.
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Sick
It can be distressing when your newborn is sick, and it can be even more distressing when they are sick and unable to sleep. When we sleep, our immune system is strengthened and our body has a chance to repair and heal. So if your newborn is unwell, they need sleep more than ever.
Sleep is one of the best medicines, so doing what you can to help your newborn sleep is important. A newborn will often want to sleep more when they are sick, and it is normal to see them sleeping all day. Their little bodies need sleep to recover, so don't worry if they have longer naps or don't follow their regular nap schedule. However, if your newborn is sleeping all day and their nap doubles their typical nap time, it may be time to wake them up to feed them and make sure they are well-hydrated. If your newborn has a fever, call your pediatrician immediately. Keep track of your sick newborn's wet diapers and wake them if you suspect they may be dehydrated.
If your newborn is struggling with sleep while sick, you may need to give them a little extra help. This could mean rubbing their back, picking them up, or even feeding or rocking them to sleep. You should also do your best to remain consistent with your newborn's routines and sleep times during sickness. While things will definitely be a bit off, new habits that form during sickness can end up sticking around for longer than you want. For example, you might end up bedsharing when your child is sick, and continue with this practice for longer than you intended.
If your newborn is very uncomfortable and has a fever, cough, or pain, these things can affect their quality of sleep. Speak with your medical provider before offering any type of pain management, and do your best to keep your newborn comfortable. Some natural ways to do this are to use a humidifier, place a cool washcloth on their forehead while they are awake, offer fluids, and give them a lukewarm bath.
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Colicky
Colic is the name for excessive crying during a baby’s first few months. It is considered colic when the crying goes on for more than three hours a day for more than three days a week. The crying is often accompanied by burping and other signs of gas, which may be because the baby is swallowing air when they cry.
Colic usually begins at around 2-5 weeks of age, with crying spells in the evening between 6 pm and midnight. The crying typically stops by the time the baby is about 3 months old, although some newborns continue to cry until they are 6 months old.
There are several theories about what causes colic, but the exact cause remains unknown. Some possible causes include:
- Reflux or Infant GERD
- Food allergies or sensitivity: Babies may have difficulty processing certain formulas, or they may be sensitive to something in their mother's diet if they are breastfed.
- Sensitivity to stimulation: Some babies' nervous systems are not yet mature enough to handle lights, loud noises, and other new stimuli. As their nervous system develops, they are better able to control it, and the colic goes away.
Dealing with a colicky baby can be stressful and exhausting for parents. It is important to take breaks and ask for help from family or friends when needed. Here are some tips to help soothe a colicky baby and promote sleep:
- Shushing: Making a light "shhh" sound or using white noise from appliances can calm a colicky baby.
- Side/Stomach Hold: Holding your baby on their side or face down instead of the typical cradle position can be soothing.
- Swinging: Using your body to sway your baby from side to side can be calming.
- Sucking: Offering a pacifier or thumb can soothe your baby through oral stimulation.
- Crib position: Elevating your baby's crib to 30 degrees or keeping them semi-upright and swaddled can help them settle better.
- Feeding schedule: Feed your baby after naps rather than before to reduce the chances of tummy upsets at sleep time.
- Burping: If your baby is bottle-fed, try using a curved bottle to help reduce the amount of air they swallow during feeding.
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Frequently asked questions
Babies like to feel warm and cosy, and if they are cold, they will feel uncomfortable and are unlikely to sleep well. Signs that your baby is cold include their head and hands feeling chilly to the touch, their cheeks turning red, or them being restless and waking up more than usual. A good guideline for dressing your baby in cold weather is to dress them in one more layer than you would wear yourself.
Newborns usually need to feed multiple times at night, but as they get older, their nighttime needs change. If your baby is truly hungry, they will not give up easily and will eat a lot. If they are just feeding for comfort, they will suck but not gulp down the milk and will go back to sleep without feeding.
A newborn might sleep through a wet diaper, but this is not necessarily a good thing. Newborns should be fed every 2-3 hours or eight to twelve times every 24 hours. If your baby is producing fewer than four very wet diapers per day, they may not be getting enough to eat.
