Congratulations!! New Mommy on your bundle of joy loaded into cute as the little bud. While you are all excited to play with your baby, have fun trips with her, and just cuddle up with the little one, the initial few days are “handle with care” period. There are many factors to consider when it comes to newborn baby sleep.
The baby has just arrived outside the world from your womb and it takes some time for the little one to realize that it’s not mummy’s big belly home anymore. Babies also follow the same patterns of what they were doing inside the womb, the majority of which is “sleeping”.
In This Article
- Newborn Sleep Patterns
- 8 Ways To Help Your Newborn Sleep Well
- When Should I Worry About Newborn Sleep?
- FAQs
Newborn Sleep Patterns
Pediatricians say that newborn babies sleep between 18 to 20 hours per day for the first month and gradually change to 12 to 14 hours during the third month. But it is not easy, as newborn babies have tiny stomachs and they wake up every few hours to feed. Breastfed babies feed every 1-2 hours while bottle or formula-fed babies feed every 3-4 hours.
Moreover, every baby has different sleeping and feeding schedules and no two babies can be compared. However, the first few months can be especially testing for new parents, especially mothers, who cannot catch enough, continuous sleep. Read more on the sleeping patterns of babies here.
8 Ways To Help Your Newborn Sleep Well
Here are 8 sure-shot tips to make you settle your baby’s sleep time.
1. Set The Sleep Time
Yes, we know that it is night 1 AM, and you very badly want the baby to sleep. But the little one chooses to be awake and feel the atmosphere around by 1 AM. Introducing your baby to day-night times is a welcome move that will help the baby associate nights with sleep and days with play.
But since it will be some time till your baby grasps the concept, rest while the baby takes rests and save energy to spend time with her while she is fresh. While the baby wants to sleep, she will show signs when you have to sing that lovely lullaby. Be ready! Click here to read about the top signs that babies give when they want to sleep.
2. The Perfect Bath
Can you believe that your tiny princess loves spa; a perfect mild oil massage followed by a warm ( NOT HOT) bath and a proper feed will give you a tight sleep to the baby. This works best around the morning at 10 AM. Some mothers also swear by messages that they give their little ones. Read more about bathing and massaging a baby.
3. Sleepwear
If you keep the baby snuggled and bundled up in covers, it may prove detrimental to your baby’s sleep. When the weather changes, it changes for the baby too. Oh yes, let it be summer or winter, it is new for the baby as she had experienced a womb with water till then. So, understand her temperature and try making her wear a regular sleepwear dress, especially at night so that the baby gets comfortable and slowly settles to sleep.
4. Skin-To-Skin
Your baby doesn’t prefer those branded toys or a new wallpaper now. All she wants is her mother’s warmth. So, once you are fresh from the bath, cuddle your baby on your bare chest and enjoy the closeness and just tell us how nicely you both fell asleep. And babies feel safe and happy, getting nostalgic about the “womb effect”.
5. Mosquito-Free Zone
Babies developing redness during the initial days are quite common and it is humanly not easy to differentiate between a mosquito bite and general redness. This might disturb the baby’s sleep a lot and give their uncomfortable crankiness to her. So, ensure that your home is insect safe zone.
6. The Bum Pat
Some mothers do feel that patting the baby relaxes the baby and she tends to sleep better. The best part of the baby’s body to pat is the little bum. Also note, to make the baby sleep, hold her both hands on yours and pat with your second hand. You would be amazed to see the immediate sleeping effect. However, if this is done regularly, it might soon become a habit and the baby may need the pat every time she is trying to sleep.
7. Melodious Mommy
Our ancestors have not documented a few of their greatest findings but gave them in practice to us. One such is singing a lullaby. The tunes are composed to make babies doze off. The words are to make their mind happy and the tone is to give them warmth. Definitely ensure that you learn lullabies and sing them to make your baby sleep well.
8. The Surroundings
Many new parents, out of anxiety, take it wrong that bright, colorful surroundings and loads of soft toys around will make the baby’s surroundings cute. But remember, your baby can see only black, white, and greys during the first two months of her life. As she grows, you have all time to make give her the right ambiance. As of now, the newborn requires a cozy bed, and a blanket and that’s all. So the best is to make it simple for a nice nap.
When Should I Worry About Newborn Sleep?
Babies have a long nap time. However, there are situations when excessive drowsiness should be the reason for alarm. You should inform your physician if your infant is sleeping for more than 17 hours a day on a consistent basis, especially if this is preventing her from eating eight times a day.
Hope you loved the above tips. A new mother’s sleep and enough rest are very much important to handle the baby and cope with her new sleep patterns. So, take enough rest new mommy! And sweet dreams to your little one.
FAQs
1. How Much Sleep Is Normal With A Newborn?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns should sleep 14-17 hours a day. Some babies may sleep for as much as 18-19 hours each day.
2. What Is Sleepy Baby Syndrome?
Some newborns are drowsy or disinterested in eating in the first few days. It is called a sleepy baby syndrome. This is particularly true for little infants, following tough labor or delivery, or if you were given pain medication during labor.
3. How Long Should A Newborn Sleep Without Feeding?
Babies should be woken up to eat if they have been asleep for more than a few hours at a time. Your infant has to be fed every three to four hours.
4. Is It Ok If the Baby Sleeps While Breastfeeding?
Babies are physiologically designed to sleep on their mother’s breasts. It is typical for newborns to fall asleep at the breast. It is normally OK. Indeed, many infants will go sleep after a decent meal. Babies get weary when their stomachs are full, and falling asleep is a normal response. Some newborns empty their breasts in a matter of minutes and fall asleep content.
