Infant Sleeping Patterns
One of the biggest challenges facing new parents is adjusting to the lack of sleep. Newborn babies cannot sleep through the night because they require small amounts of nutrition at periodic intervals. Keep in mind that this won't last forever and in 3-5 months you will start to get a few more hours of sleep a night. It is important for you to establish a set routine after a few weeks of having your baby home.
Suggestions
- Talk with your health care provider about whether it is best to set your baby on his or her stomach or back. Advisories on this issue change from time to time depending on the current research.
- As part of your sleep routine, swaddle your baby to allow him or her to feel the comforts of the womb.
- Establish a night time routine that is the same every evening. This may include a bath, feeding, a story, then bedtime.
- Find relaxing things to do with your baby before bed such as singing, massaging, or playing soft music.
- When your baby wakes in the middle of the night, keep the lights off while you feed him or her and use only dim light for diaper changes.
- Make sure you time the last feeding for the baby just before he or she lays down to sleep.
- Try to put the baby to bed drowsy but awake—this can help him or her learn to self-soothe.
- Keep nap time as consistent as possible.
Taking care of yourself during this time is critical too. Here are some suggestions for keeping yourself healthy:
- Take turns with you partner to share some of the responsibility, i.e. your partner can change the diaper after you have fed the baby.
- Sleep when the baby sleeps.
- Take time for yourself.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Watch out for burnout or stress, and get help if necessary.
- Lean on your friends and family for support.
- Get some exercise. This will not only help you get back into shape, it will help you feel energized, relaxed, and positive.
Some Things to Remember
- Sleeping habits are learned, so try to establish a routine after you have settled in with your baby.
- Sleep routines shouldn't be too complicated. If you rock your infant to sleep he or she may require that for a long time to come.
- The sleepless nights won't last forever.
- Your baby is only little once—cherish every moment.
Workplace Options. (Reviewed 2018). Infant sleeping patterns. Raleigh, NC: Author.