Having a new baby at home is such an exciting time! It is also a very exhausting one. You are probably wondering if you will ever sleep again. I promise that you will! Newborn sleep is very erratic and they won't have a schedule until they are about 3 months. Follow these tips to help transition into life with a newborn.
Day/night confusion is common in newborns and usually resolves it's self in the first 2 weeks. During the day interact as much as possible with your baby, have the lights on, TV on and carry on normal conversations. At night quiet down noise, have black out curtains and have a consistent bedtime routine every night at the same time.
Follow awake times vs a set schedule. A newborn can typically be awake for an hour at a time. Pay attention to your babies sleepy cues that they display everyday. Follow the eat, play, sleep schedule.
Limit day time sleep to no more than 5 hours per day and no more than 2 hours per nap. If a baby is sleeping for longer periods during the day they will most likely not sleep well at night. They also need to be getting in more feedings during the day so they are not as hungry at night.
Starting a bedtime routine from the start will help your newborn know that it's time to go to sleep. Start a simple, consistent routine. Bedtime shouldn't be any later than 9pm. About an hour before bedtime dim the lights and lower the temperature. A white noise machine and blackout curtains can also serve as a cue it's time to go to sleep.
Lay your newborn down drowsy but awake as much as they allow. This will help set good habits from the start and teach your baby to go to sleep independently. During the day also practice having them out of your arms even if it's just for a few minutes.
Swaddle your newborn in a proper fitting, secure swaddle with velcro. This will help with the startle reflex and make them feel secure. Once your baby starts rolling swaddling is no longer safe.
The 5 S's developed by Dr. Harvey Karp can help soothe your newborn. They need to be done in order. Sometimes a newborn will calm down before you do all 5.
Swaddle
Side/stomach position (only to calm them- not for sleep)
Shushing
Swinging
Sucking
Pacifiers are great for newborns innate physical need to suck. They typically don't cause any sleep disruptions. As your baby gets older and is no longer swaddled (4-5 months) you can put multiple pacifiers in their crib so they can reinsert them themselves in the middle of the night.
As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions doulasandbeyond@gmail.com
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Happy sleeping!