NEWBORN SLEEP TIPS

Establish Healthy Sleep Habits the First 4 Months!

Let’s be real – having a newborn (especially your first!) is a crazy and overwhelming time in life.  Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest adjustments that new parents have to deal with.  The good news is there are things that you can do to help your newborn baby sleep better, which will also result in more sleep for you!

Here are some newborn sleep tips that will help your baby to start establishing healthy sleep habits early on:

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Day/Night Confusion:

When your baby is born, they are unable to decipher day sleep vs. night sleep.  Your baby was used to being lulled to sleep during the day with all of the rocking in the womb, and was up partying at night when you were sleeping.  This is typically resolved around week 6 from your baby’s estimated due date.  To help correct their day/night confusion:

  • During the day expose your baby to natural sunlight and don’t tip-toe around!

  • Cap naps at 2 hours so that your baby understands that day sleep is meant for shorter spurts of sleep

  • At night you will want their sleep environment to be pitch black and silent (except for white noise!)

Implement Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s:

1.       Swaddling:

  • Helps to replicate the snug, secure feeling they had in the womb

  • When babies aren’t swaddled they are overstimulated, which results in a very fussy baby

  • Swaddling helps to prevent the Moro reflex from startling them awake

  • Swaddle until your baby is showing signs of starting to roll

 2.       Side: 

  • Holding your baby on their side causes their “position sensors” to send a message to their brain that everything is okay

  • *Always place your baby down for all sleep on their back

 3.       Sway:

  • Your baby was so used to constantly being rocked/jiggled in the womb!

4.       “SHHHH”:

  • Silence for a baby is uncomfortable! Use continuous white noise for all sleep!

  • If your baby is very fussy/crying, “shhhh” as loud as the cry

5.       SUCK:

  • Non-nutritive sucking (pacifier/thumb) is very comforting.  It triggers a calming reflex!

  • Bonus: pacifiers help reduce the risk of SIDS

Naps:

It is very important that your newborn (0-12 weeks) stays very well-rested!  Offer naps throughout the day every 60-90 minutes.

During these first few months, control what you can!  You cannot officially sleep train until your baby is 16 weeks from their estimated due date.  16 weeks is when a baby has hit the 4 month sleep regression and they are developmentally ready to be sleep trained.  Until that time, it is okay to snuggle your baby a bunch! The most important thing is that they are feeling loved and secure and getting as much sleep as possible!

For more tips on what you can do from 0-16 weeks (such as starting to teach your newborn more independent sleep), reach out!  MyBaby Sleepology has a fantastic Newborn Program with rave reviews!

 

Alexandra Coffman