As a first time mom, I didn’t know what to expect when it came to
Newborn babies sleep for approximately 16-20 hours per day. But they need to be fed every 2-3 hours!
And s
On top of that, they then need their diaper changed approximately 10 times a day. Then you have to get them back to sleep!
That being said, you’re not going to get a full night’s rest for a while.
I wish I would have known all this before having a baby because I was blind to the fact I would literally have zero sleep some nights. It would have been nice to know what to expect.
Sleep Schedule
A lot of people have blog posts out there about their newborn’s sleep schedule. In reality, they don’t have much of a schedule.
You are just going to have to go with the flow for a few months until your baby starts to
My baby finally had a sleeping schedule down pat by about 7 weeks. But until then, she woke up many many times during the night. (Mine is breastfed. That might make a difference.)
Though your baby won’t have a set sleep schedule at first, you can, however, start from day one trying to get them to recognize some cues.
For example, during the day, don’t try to be quiet around them. Do as you normally would sound-wise so they know that when it’s light out, it’s time to be awake.
At night, keep the lights very dim and speak quietly if you have to speak at all; so they know when it’s dark, we sleep.
Of course, newborns aren’t supposed to stay asleep through the night because they have to eat so frequently. But they can at least start the process so when they are able to sleep through the night they’re actually sleeping at NIGHT and not all day, thus keeping you up at night.
In addition to these cues, you could try these ideas as well to help baby realize when its
- Read them a book
- Sing a specific song (could be used for nap time as well. I sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to get my baby to nap.)
- Change their diaper and swaddle them up
- Turn on a sound machine and night light
- Brush their hair
- Swaddle them and top their little belly off with a little more milk (this helps them stay asleep longer)
You could use the same cues during the day when it’s nap time to help them realize they are about to be laid down to sleep.
For nap time, it helps a lot to have blackout curtains to darken the room to get them ready to nap.
Find out what items your baby will use every single day from 0-3 months.
Have The Right Sleep Gear
At night, my baby will not go to sleep until she has her swaddle on. She sleeps really well with the Love to Dream swaddle.
Her first swaddle was from SwaddleMe and while a lot of babies love them, mine did not.
She loves to keep her hands at her face for self-soothing and the Love To Dream swaddle allows her to do that along with keeping the startle reflex from waking her.
I fully recommend trying both to see what your baby likes most. If they keep you up all night crying, maybe the other swaddle will help everyone sleep a little better.
Another thing I’ve found very helpful at bedtime is a cool-mist humidifier.
Babies breathe primarily out of their nose for the first few months of their life. So when their nose is dry and stuffy, they can’t comfortably sleep because they can’t breathe well.
Why a cool-mist humidifier instead of warm? A warm mist humidifier is dangerous especially if you have small children that could possibly get burned by the steam.
Getting babies to sleep (and for longer periods) is a lot easier when you combine the right routine, cues, and sleep gear.
Hang In There!
The sleepless nights will pass. Seriously try your best to sleep when your baby does at any time in the day.
In the beginning, it will be hard because everyone is going to want to visit and take up all the time that you could be napping when your baby is.
Try turning your phone on silent and putting a do not disturb sign on your front door.
Also, the housework can be put off for a little while too. ask your significant other or a family member to help.
Your sleep and babies sleep is more important right now.
Their sleep pattern will be all over the place until they get used to being outside the womb and in your schedule.
Give them a few months to get adjusted to life on the outside. Each and every baby is different and will adjust at their own pace.
If you keep a consistent schedule (going to sleep at the same time, waking up at the same time & so on) along with giving them sleep cues, it will help them adjust quicker and easier.
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