Making a newborn sleep through the night is a goal that many parents aspire to achieve, but it’s essential to understand that newborns have small stomachs and need to feed frequently. Expecting them to sleep all night is usually unrealistic. Typically, newborns sleep for two to four hours at a stretch, regardless of day or night, because they need to wake up often to eat. However, there are ways to help your newborn develop good sleep habits which can gradually lead to longer sleep durations at night.
Understanding Newborn Sleep Patterns
Before diving into the methods to encourage a better night’s sleep for your newborn, it’s crucial to comprehend their sleep patterns. Newborns often sleep about 16 to 17 hours a day but in short bursts. Their sleep cycles are much shorter and more irregular than those of adults.
The Importance of REM Sleep for Newborns
Newborns spend more time in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is vital for the incredible brain development that happens in the early stages of life. During REM sleep, newborns may appear restless or wake easily due to the active nature of this sleep stage.
Setting the Stage for Good Sleep Habits
While you cannot force a newborn to sleep, you can create an environment and establish routines that promote sleep.
Create a Sleep Conducive Environment
The sleep environment should be comfortable, cool, quiet, and dark. Consider using a white noise machine to drown out household noise, and use blackout curtains to keep the room dim during naps and nighttime sleep.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
A consistent bedtime routine can signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down. This routine could include a warm bath, a gentle massage, soft music, or reading a short book—even though your newborn may not understand it yet, the sound of your voice is soothing.
Dress Your Newborn for Sleep
The right sleepwear can help your baby stay at a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Choose soft, breathable fabrics and consider a swaddle or sleep sack, which can provide a sense of security for your baby.
Daytime Tips for Better Nighttime Sleep
Encourage Day/Night Recognition
Help your newborn differentiate between day and night. In the daylight hours, be more interactive during feedings and keep the house bright. At night, keep interactions quiet and the lights dim.
Avoid Overstimulation
During the evening hours, avoid overstimulation. Play with your baby and expose them to the sun in the early part of the day. As bedtime approaches, activities should become calmer and less engaging.
Watch for Sleep Cues
Pay attention to your baby’s sleep cues, such as fussing, yawning, or rubbing their eyes, and start the bedtime routine before your baby becomes overtired.
Feeding and Sleep
Understand the Relationship Between Feeding and Sleep
Feeding and sleep are deeply interconnected for newborns. To help your baby sleep longer stretches at night, try to feed your baby right before bedtime to ensure they’re as full as possible.
Consider Cluster Feeding in the Evening
Some parents find that offering more frequent feeds in the evening, known as cluster feeding, can help the baby take in more milk and potentially sleep longer first stretches at night.
Coping with Night Wakings
Efficient Night Feedings
When your baby wakes up during the night, keep the lights dim and the atmosphere calm. Make feedings and diaper changes as quick and quiet as possible, without engaging too much, to emphasize that it’s still sleep time.
Soothe Back to Sleep
If your baby wakes up and doesn’t seem hungry, try soothing them back to sleep with gentle patting, rocking, or a pacifier.
When to Seek Help
If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep habits or your baby is not feeding well and not gaining weight, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician. They can check for any underlying issues and provide guidance tailored to your child’s needs.
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It’s important to note that as babies grow, their sleep patterns will change. Most infants don’t start sleeping through the night (about 6 to 8 hours) without waking until they’re about 3 months old, or until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds.
Be Patient with Sleep Milestones
Sleep is a developmental milestone, much like walking or talking. Children will reach this milestone at their own pace. Patience is key when it comes to adjusting your newborn’s sleep habits.
Finishing Thoughts
While the immediate goal is to make a newborn sleep at night, the broader objective is to promote healthy sleep habits that will benefit both the baby and the parents in the long run. Newborns are unique and their sleep patterns vary greatly. Some may begin to have longer sleep periods at night by 6 weeks, while others will take much longer.
Remember to maintain a consistent routine, create a conducive sleep environment, and pay attention to your baby’s needs. It’s also vital to care for your own well-being, as a well-rested parent is better able to care for a newborn. Over time, with consistency and patience, your newborn will gradually start to sleep for longer periods at night, allowing everyone to get more rest.
