Public: Newborn Sleep, The Basics

Bringing home a newborn can feel overwhelming at first, but it can help to remind yourself that families have been doing this for generations. And today, you have more support, education, and resources than ever before. This guide is here to gently walk you through what to expect with your baby’s sleep so you can feel more confident and at ease.

In those first few weeks, your baby will have very short awake windows, often an hour or less, and will wake frequently to eat. A simple plan to follow once the baby wakes is to: 1) feed, 2) burp, 3) change, 4) play, 5) burp, and then 6) put back to sleep. Start to notice your baby’s sleepy cues (like yawning, glassy eyes, or rubbing their eyes), and try to get them down within about 10 minutes to avoid overtiredness.

In the early months, there’s no need to worry about creating “perfect” sleep habits. Rocking, cuddling, feeding to sleep, contact naps, and pacifiers are all wonderful, comforting tools, and you truly cannot spoil a newborn. Sleep training methods that involve crying aren’t appropriate just yet; those typically come later, around 3 months, when babies begin to develop more predictable patterns.

It’s also completely normal for newborns to have their days and nights mixed up. They aren’t born with a circadian rhythm, but with exposure to daylight and a gentle routine, this will begin to develop, usually starting around 6 weeks and improving by 3 months. Their sleep cycles are short, so don’t be surprised by frequent waking or little noises and movements during sleep.

If your baby stirs, it can be helpful to pause for a moment before jumping in. Sometimes they’re just transitioning between sleep cycles. Over time, giving them a little space to resettle can support longer stretches of sleep, but always trust your instincts if they need you. When they are making grunting noises, you can hold off to give them an opportunity to soothe themselves. If their crying starts to escalate, you can jump in. 

Creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment goes a long way. Aim for a room temperature between 68–74°F, place your baby on their back in an empty crib with a firm mattress, and consider swaddling for added comfort (until they begin to roll). For safety, never place a blanket on the baby, but you can do a swaddle or sleep sack that is attached to them. 

And when your baby is fussy, which will happen, there are many gentle ways to soothe them. A warm bath, baby wearing, soft talking or singing, stepping outside for fresh air, dimming the lights, or simply holding them close skin-to-skin can all help. Sometimes a small change, like a new position, a diaper check, or even a different room, can make all the difference.

Most importantly, remember that every baby is different. It may take time for a consistent rhythm to emerge, and that’s completely okay. Focus on what works for your baby and your family, take things one day at a time, and know that you’re doing a great job by doing your best! Support, like a Night Nanny or Newborn Care Specialist, can also be a wonderful way to build confidence and get the rest you need along the way. They can help you to get much needed sleep, but also help to be there to settle the baby in low-intervention methods to help them learn to sleep in their crib and connect their sleep cycles in the night. 

You will learn your baby’s needs quicker than you think, and remember, babies do learn to sleep independently in time. No one has (hopefully!) ever walked down the aisle while still needing to be comforted to sleep by their original caregiver.

For more information on how to find a Night Nanny/Night Nurse for you, Baby Love is here to help you through a free consultation to evaluate your families needs. You don’t have to do it alone. It was never meant to be about surviving through parenthood.

If you are feeling anxious, or struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety you can find a licensed therapist at www.HigherSightsCounseling.com who can help you.