Today is World Baby Sleep Day, and here at Sweet Dreamers, we are all about baby sleep! We’re here to spread the word on how you and your family can get the best sleep possible in those precious first months.
You might be thinking, "Hang on a minute, I have a newborn, and I’m not getting much sleep at all!" That’s okay because that’s where we come in. Education and understanding of how little ones’ sleep differs from our own is key to ensuring the best environment for quality and restorative sleep.
Understanding Newborn Sleep
Newborn sleep is mostly driven by hunger, and you can expect a newborn to sleep in periods of up to 3 hours throughout a 24-hour period. Since newborns need frequent feeding and we do not sleep every time they do, it can feel exhausting, even though they actually sleep up to 16 hours a day.
Newborns have short sleep cycles that last between 20-50 minutes and often need help settling after each cycle with cuddles, rocking, or light patting.
They switch between two states: Active Sleep (where they may move, twitch, or suck) and Quiet Sleep (where they are still, with calm and even breathing).
Newborn Sleep Tips
Newborns don’t naturally know the difference between day and night. To help them adjust:
- Keep your home bright and active during the day.
- At night, create a calm and quiet atmosphere with dim lights.
- This foundation helps lay the groundwork for a future sleep routine.
Safe Sleep for Newborns
Follow the ABCs of safer sleep, as recommended by The Lullaby Trust:
- Always place your baby on their Back to sleep.
- Baby should sleep in a Clear cot or sleeping space.
This significantly reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Other safe sleep guidelines include:
- Keep the sleep space free of toys, bumpers, sleep nests, or positioners.
- Ensure the mattress is clean, firm, and flat.
- Aim for a sleep environment temperature of 16-20°C to avoid overheating.
For more information, visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk.
Newborn Sleep Hacks
If your baby struggles to sleep, here are some tried-and-tested solutions:
- White Noise: Blocks household noise and mimics the comforting sounds of the womb.
- Swaddling: Helps babies feel secure, reduces startle reflexes, and aids temperature regulation.
- Dummies: Satisfy a baby’s natural sucking reflex, which is soothing and helps them settle.
We hope this overview of newborn sleep helps you understand why your newborn sleeps the way they do. Remember, every phase is temporary, and before you know it, the next stage of sleep development will be here!
