Baby's sleep routine
Despite your friends and family telling you that you will be longing for sleep during the first weeks after the birth, nothing can prepare you for how tiring it actually is to look after a newborn.
Sleep is such an important issue for parents that entire books are dedicated to it. Babies’ sleep patterns are unlike adults’, so until you can figure out a routine, it’s easier to follow baby’s lead and sleep or rest when they do.
Newborns usually have one long sleep period (around four-five hours), which can be during the day or at night. After your baby has adjusted to the transition from womb to our bright and noisy world, you can encourage your baby to sleep at night by controlling stimulation. This means no bright lights, music or any distraction that might prevent your baby to wind down. You don’t need to tip toe or avoid making noises as these are often soothing for a baby who loves feeling you’re near, but the room where they sleep should be dark (blackout blinds can help in summer months) and at the right temperature (16-20C).
During the early months, it’s beneficial for both mother and baby to breastfeed at least twice during the night – your baby needs the milk while you need to maintain your supply and drain full breasts.
Mums expect their babies to sleep through when solids are introduced, but it’s common for babies to wake up at night for a breastfeed. Studies show that introducing solids doesn’t always lead to an interrupted night of sleep, so don’t worry too much if your six month old is still waking up at night. The good news is that prolactin release is highest in response to nighttime suckling, so milk production gets its greatest boost during the night.
If you’re struggling to wake up at night to feed your baby, you can minimise sleep loss by:
Sleep is such an important issue for parents that entire books are dedicated to it. Babies’ sleep patterns are unlike adults’, so until you can figure out a routine, it’s easier to follow baby’s lead and sleep or rest when they do.
Newborns usually have one long sleep period (around four-five hours), which can be during the day or at night. After your baby has adjusted to the transition from womb to our bright and noisy world, you can encourage your baby to sleep at night by controlling stimulation. This means no bright lights, music or any distraction that might prevent your baby to wind down. You don’t need to tip toe or avoid making noises as these are often soothing for a baby who loves feeling you’re near, but the room where they sleep should be dark (blackout blinds can help in summer months) and at the right temperature (16-20C).
During the early months, it’s beneficial for both mother and baby to breastfeed at least twice during the night – your baby needs the milk while you need to maintain your supply and drain full breasts.
Mums expect their babies to sleep through when solids are introduced, but it’s common for babies to wake up at night for a breastfeed. Studies show that introducing solids doesn’t always lead to an interrupted night of sleep, so don’t worry too much if your six month old is still waking up at night. The good news is that prolactin release is highest in response to nighttime suckling, so milk production gets its greatest boost during the night.
If you’re struggling to wake up at night to feed your baby, you can minimise sleep loss by:
- placing the cot, Moses basket or crib as close as possible to your side of the bed. For older babies who are in their own room, place a mattress on the floor of the nursery or even a comfy chair where you can get some rest while you breastfeed
- express breast milk and feed it to your baby in a bottle or cup (or ask your partner to do so)
- sleep when your baby does, even if it means taking naps during the day.
Baby sleep strategies and tips
There are various techniques you can try, but you need to be consistent:- to help your baby understand the difference between night and day, make daytime feeds lively (talk to your baby, sing or tell them stories) and night-time feeds quiet. Many mums breastfeed at night in silence with dimmed lights or use a torch so the room is as dark as possible.
- your baby can fall asleep on his/her own from about six to eight weeks. Try putting your baby down in the cot when sleepy but still awake. This is the way to establish good sleeping habits.
- set a bedtime routine – parents tend to try giving their baby a bath, changing their nappy and clothes and reading them a story. Finish the routine in your baby’s bedroom, so she/he learns that going to bed can be fun.
- give your baby something to hold, such as a stuffed toy or a small blanket. Babies are soothed by the smell of their mum, so you can try sleeping with the toy for a night or two and/or give your baby an item of clothing with your smell.
- some parents swear by controlled crying. Experts advise trying it when your baby is at least five months old. This is how it works: place your baby in his/her cot when still awake. If your baby cries, go to them. Reassure your baby and tell them firmly (and gently) that it's time for sleep. Leave the room, wait for a few minutes then check again. Repeat increasing the interval between each visit until your baby falls asleep.
- if your older baby has had a good feed and wakes up sooner than expected, it’s a good idea for your partner to comfort them – your baby will stop waking up unnecessarily if she is not genuinely hungry or thirsty.
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