‘How to get newborn to sleep’ is a commonly researched keyword by new parents. If you are one of them, you just found the right post. Since babies need around 14 – 17 hours of sleep every day, it’s best that you know the right techniques so that they could develop optimally.
Before we go to our tips, let’s discuss more about a newborn’s wake-sleep cycle. As we’ve said, they usually sleep between 14 – 17 hours. But there are some babies who sleep longer.
Remember, they often wake up after a couple of hours to eat. If they are bottle-fed, they should wake up after 4 hours. But for breastfeeding moms, the duration is shorter. Generally, you have to wake them up after 4 hours so you can feed them again. This routine should go on until such time that you see your bundle of joy gaining weight.
Tips on How To Get Newborn to Sleep
Take note that your newborn follows their own schedule, and it could take several weeks before they could identify day time and night time.
Meanwhile, we have here tips that could help you and your baby get the best quality of sleep. It’s not just for your babies, but for you to recuperate and have the right amount of rest. We understand that taking care of a newborn can be exhausting. So if you can squeeze in naps while your baby is sleeping, that could mean a lot.
Consider Room Sharing
While you’ve probably dedicated a separate nursery for your newborn, we highly recommend that you share your room for the first few weeks.
Why is this ideal?
The main objective of room sharing is that you can easily comfort, feed, and monitor your baby, most especially during nighttime. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, room-sharing is highly recommended but being in the same bed isn’t. This is because when you share your bed, the risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is higher.
Don’t Overtire Them in the Morning
One of the misconceptions of parents is that they have to make their newborn tired in the morning so they will doze off at night. However, the effect will be different, and they will have a harder time sleeping.
Keep the Lights Low and Avoid Playing with Them
Another practical tip is to dim your lights when it’s already sleeping time. Likewise, avoid talking and playing with them, even if it is tempting. This technique is best during night time, so you can condition your newborn that it’s time to rest.
Maintain Quiet Surroundings
As much as possible, you would want to limit the noise so that your baby will have an uninterrupted sleep. Turn off your television and place your phones on silent mode.
Practice Dream Feeding
Most parents feed their newborn just before they go to bed. This is what we call dream feeding. Since the baby will be full, chances are they will sleep longer. Use that time to get some rest too.
Create a Routine
Also, you can implement a routine that sends them a signal that it’s time to sleep. For example, you can play a soothing song, or you can shut to close the curtains. Newborns rely on familiarity and routine, and this technique should work.
How to Create a Safe Sleep Environment for Newborns?
Your top priority should always be the safety of your baby. As for the sleeping environment, here are some of the best recommendations.
Place Your Baby on Their Back
To reduce the risk of SIDS, experts recommend laying your baby on their back. Never have them sleep on their side or their stomach. With this recommendation back in 1992, the cases of SIDS drastically decreased.
Keep Your Baby’s Sleeping Area Clean
When we say that you have to maintain a clean sleeping area for your baby, this is not just about dirt and spilt milk. What we refer to is that you have to clear their crib or bassinet. It should be free from plush toys, pillows, quilts, or comforters which could be dangerous for newborns when left unattended.
Check the Temperature Regularly
You need to make sure that your newborn is dressed according to your room’s temperature. We understand that you might have bought a swaddle. These are good, but make sure that they don’t overheat. It’s always a great idea to find a swaddle where it could regulate temperature. Better yet, check your newborn from time to time and see if they are sweating. Here’s a good product that you might want to try.
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle
Check the latest price on Amazon.
This is the best type of swaddle for newborns. It’s soft and made from 100% cotton. And the best part is that these are machine washable. That means, cleaning is a breeze for a new parent like you. Some of the moms call the SwaddleMe, life-saver, and we couldn’t agree more.
If you want your baby to have a longer and comfortable sleep, this could be one of the best options.
Buy Quality Crib or Bassinet
You must also buy a quality crib or bassinet where it meets the safety standards. If you are using a mattress, your sheet should fit perfectly. That way, if your baby suddenly moves, the bedsheet will stay in place.
AMKE 3-in-1 Baby Bassinets, Bedside Sleeper
Check the latest price on Amazon.
You might want to get this baby bassinet from AKME. You can use it as a baby crib, a bedside sleeper, or a standalone bassinet. It has a zipper on the side, which makes it easier to feed your baby at night. It also ensures that your newborn will have proper ventilation to avoid overheating.
For those who are looking for a bassinet that you can easily move around and at the same time, make your life easier, this has got to be your choice.
Conclusion
Do not get frustrated if you can’t find the right technique on how to get newborn babies to sleep. It’s all part of the process. Plus, as we’ve said, your little one has their own schedule to follow. Eventually, they will be able to adjust, and you too can have a quality sleep at night.
