When new mothers get together, inevitably the discussion quickly leads to comparisons of how each baby is sleeping. Whatever you do, don’t judge yourself or your newborn for not doing it exactly like your peers. These six tips to improve your newborn’s sleep should help you move more quickly to a better night sleep – for you and your baby!
One of the most important things I tell parents is healthy sleep habits for newborns really CAN start at birth! Generally this period (0-12 weeks) to improve your newborn’s sleep is more goal oriented versus task and process oriented. These sleep goals will help your newborn sleep better and longer.
6 Sleep Shaping Goals
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Help your baby know when it is daytime and when it is nighttime.
During the day, feed in a bright room where the sun is shining. The noises and activities will cue your newborn that this time is very different from night when the room is dark and quiet.
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Establish a feeding schedule
Feed every 2- 3 hours according to your pediatrician’s instructions. If you are consistent with daytime feeds, your baby will likely consolidate sleep for longer stretches at night sooner.
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Establish a consistent bedtime routine.
Start with a bath as that provides a significantly different experience your baby will soon learn means bedtime is near. Consider: Feed, bath, lotion, pjs, song and kisses, into crib/bassinet awake. (Notice the feed is at the beginning of the routine so baby learns feeding is a separate activity from sleeping.)
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Encourage full feedings during the day by feeding your baby right after she wakes from a nap, not right before sleep.
Most newborns should only be awake for 45-60 minutes at a time. Put your baby down in crib/bassinet awake as much as possible.
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Do swaddle your newborn and lay him on his back in a crib, bassinet, or pack ‘n play.
White noise in his sleeping space can mimic the womb and drown out noises you can’t control (barking dog, neighbor’s car), which is an immediate way to improve your newborn’s sleep.
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When your newborn is crying, you can use a PUPD (pick up, put down) method to comfort.
That means you pick her up and walk around the room a bit until she is calm, but not asleep. Once she is, return her to the crib. Wait a few mins to see how she will respond. Fussing is ok, but when the crying starts, pick her up again and repeat. Remember you want her to fall asleep in her crib, not your arms.
You can download a copy of my Six Tips to Improve Your Newborn’s Sleep document on our Resources and Downloads page.
After working with many families, and raising children of my own, I know the most exhausting time for parents can be the first three months of infancy. The likelihood of your child suffering from day and night confusion or colic or other unknown duresses is high. Be confident that these six tips to improve your infant’s sleep will get you on the road to healthier and more peaceful evenings sooner.
Sleep shaping can also begin before your child arrives. Parents looking to start their newborn with strong sleep habits often choose this type of guidance. Opportunities in selecting the most beneficial props (comfort items), room layout, and daytime structures can be ready the day your beautiful bundle arrives home.
If you need further support or are facing complex infant sleep challenges, I’m committed to assisting you in improving your infant’s sleep. Through our virtual consults, texts, and phone calls, I will provide the guidance you need to accomplish your newborn’s ideal sleep.
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