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Baby Sleep Tips
How to Get through the Night with a Newborn

Sleepless nights for some reason are a rite of passage for most new parents. You may wonder why even bother going to bed because as soon as I put my head on the pillow my baby is going to wake up. You probably haven’t had a decent nights sleep since your precious baby was born. In fact, you may have said silently to yourself, “Is it too late to return the baby to the hospital?” Well don’t despair, you aren’t alone. This is probably the hardest part about being a new parent, SLEEP and the lack of it in the entire house. Starting today you can start to help your baby sleep all night or at least most of it. Things will get better. Half of all babies sleep through the night by the age of one. So what did they do?

Here is some practical advice learned from my life experience.

Develop a rhythm in your home. Babies love routine. Typically, newborns sleep 16 or more hours a day, but not all at once. They sleep just a few hours at a time. At first the sleep patterns will be inconsistent, but don’t worry. As your baby grows and develops, a more consistent sleep pattern will emerge and your baby will sleep longer between feedings.

Many babies will sleep for as long as 5 hours at a time during the night by 3 months of age. By 6 months, it is possible for your baby to sleep for as long as 9-10 hours. Some babies sleep for long stretches right from the first night you brought your baby home, only to wake for feedings. If this is your baby, then you are very fortunate. For the rest of you who are having trouble getting your baby to sleep please keep it in perspective. It has nothing to do with being a good parent or not, it’s about understanding your baby’s needs and sleep patterns. Each of our children had a different sleep pattern. Getting your baby to sleep through the night is a goal you work towards.

Research has shown that children who sleep more tend to weigh less. (18 hours for babies and at least 13 hours for toddlers are best.) When children sleep longer they will have a less likely chance of being overweight. A well-slept baby has a great start at maintaining a healthy weight throughout their lifetime. The key is to teach your baby to self-soothe and go back to sleep on his or her own. Here are my top tips that I learned over the years that should help your baby develop good sleep habits.

  • If your baby is a newborn make sure you swaddle your baby. Swaddling is fundamental to calming a baby.

  • Activities during the daytime help to promote better sleep at night. Stimulate your baby during awake time by singing, playing and lots of talking. Personally, I don’t think you should keep your house too quiet. Surround your baby with normal household noises such as music, barking dog, television, normal speaking voices, etc. If you tiptoe around and whisper all the time you will pay dearly for it because every sound will startle and wake your baby. During the daytime keep your home lit normally then your baby will associate dark with sleep.

  • Make sure your baby’s naps aren’t for too many hours at a time even if you are enjoying the peace. Regular naps are very important but learn to space them out for the right amount of time so your baby isn’t wide-awake at bedtime.

  • Follow a consistent bedtime routine. A soothing bath, a massage, cuddling and singing yourfavorite lullabies will help relax and settle your baby. Soon, your baby will associate these activities with sleep.

  • Fight the urge to let your baby sleep with you in your bed. If you must, place the crib or bassinet in your room if you aren’t comfortable with him being in another room. This is a good compromise. It is a nightmare trying to get a child out of your bed later. At least you will each have your own space. Also, there are safety issues to consider when deciding whether or not to let your baby sleep in your bed.

  • A baby who can self-soothe himself is a baby who sleeps in his own bed. I know you love your baby and you want to be close but I promise you will never regret this. The advantage to having your baby fall asleep in his own bed is that he or she will not be afraid when he wakes up in the middle of the night. Also, if your baby always falls asleep in your arms he will start believing that your arms is his bed and the minute you go to lay him down, guess what? Make sure your baby is dry and well fed before you lay him down. Remember to always place your baby on his or back to sleep. If you give your baby plenty of time on his tummy during awake time you do not need to worry about a misshapen head. Make sure you keep any blankets or stuffed toys away from your baby’s head. If your baby has trouble settling I found gently rubbing your baby’s tummy and talking softly was very reassuring. Sing to your baby in a low monotone voice.

  • Don’t overheat your baby with heavy synthetic blankets. Believe it not, a baby does not need layers to keep warm. A baby who is too hot or too cold, wake up more easily because they are restless and uncomfortable. Blankets made of bamboo fiber are a perfect weight for your baby and they are naturally thermal regulating.

  • Consider using a pacifier. Sometime babies have a hard time settling down and a pacifier may be the answer. Recent research indicates that a baby sleeping on his back and using a pacifier at naptime and bedtime may help to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The downside of using a pacifier is you may face frequent upsets when the pacifier falls out of your baby’s mouth. Remember; never tie the pacifier to your baby.

  • Keep your baby’s nighttime care low-key. If you need to change a diaper or feed your baby during the night use dim lights, calm movement and a soft voice. This will help your baby learn that it’s not playtime, it’s time to sleep. If you follow these tips, before you know it your baby will develop a sleep pattern and adjust to the household routine and soon everyone will sleep.