What To Expect - Newborn Sleep Tips

What to expect

As a new parent, it can be so hard to know what to expect from your newborn! No one said it would be easy, but understanding some normal and regular patterns will help you in the early days and understanding more, means you can start implementing good practices, but remember, every baby is different and there isn't a one fits all solution! 

We like to tell families to take the first 4 weeks to focus on cuddles and feedings. A newborn will be very sleepy initially, this is normal, they may only be awake long enough to eat and then pass out again!

You may also experience day and night confusion during this time. this is very common and it will naturally resolve itself within 2-6 weeks. To encourage your newborn to adjust, always wake your baby during the day to feed every 2.5-3 hours.

Keep your newborn's sleep environment at night very dark and unstimulating. Then during the day, make sure you expose them to lots of natural light, not direct of course, but a well, naturally lit room is great. 

A period of time called the "Witching Hour" from 5-10pm can be a difficult time for some babies. This is often characterised by extreme fussiness and the inability to fall asleep. This is where white noise is great, Taylor our newest whale has a white noise feature and is exactly why we made sure it did!

Also take walks outside, try cluster feeding, and swaddling to help you get through it, it can be tough but eventually you should start to notice signs and understand your child more, but it may take some time!

 

• Try to follow an Eat, Play, Sleep schedule starting around 4 weeks. This encourages full feedings and avoids the eat-to-sleep association.

 

• For example: When your newborn wakes, either in the morning or from a nap, feed them shortly after. Then they will have the rest of their awake time for snuggles, tummy time, and play before going down for their next nap.

 

• Follow wake windows of 45-60 minutes during the first two months of life.

Follow safe sleep guidelines:

• Alone: Your baby should sleep alone without blankets, pillows, or animals

 

• Back: Your baby should be placed on her back to sleep

 

• Cot: Your baby should sleep on a flat, firm surface like a crib, bassinet or pack n play

 

• Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle! Some babies will fight the swaddle, but don't give it up too soon!

 

• When you hear your newborn making noise at night, WAIT. Newborns are noisy sleepers and sometimes they aren't fully awake even if they are crying out. Try to give them 1-2 minutes to make sure they are truly awake.

 

We hope these tips help, and good luck with your newest addition to the family... you got this! 

Of course, there are also sleep devices and toys which prove helpful for baby and toddler sleep aid. Our Ben and Taylor whales offer excellent quality sleep aid, night light and nursery rhymes to help soothe stirring babies.

To read the full sleep guide by Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Carianna and receive a discount code off your next order download the pdf guide here.