Shh… Baby is Sleeping, for Now

May 11, 2022 Infant

SHH…

Baby is Sleeping, for Now

As a new mom, I thought I would never get a full night’s sleep again. It seemed as soon as I would get to sleep, the fussing and crying would start. But, eventually, I got a full four hours of sleep in a row and it was amazing! I felt like my brain could work again.

Being a new parent and not sleeping much is hard. Understanding why your baby wakes up so often can make things a little easier.

Babies begin sleeping before birth, but their sleep patterns are often the opposite of ours. When you move during the day you naturally “rock” your baby, but when you lie down at night, the rocking stops. You may think your baby has days and nights mixed up but it’s really because they haven’t developed their natural sleep rhythm yet. The “circadian rhythm” is the body’s internal clock that sets sleep cycles. It’s controlled by a part of the brain that doesn’t develop until about 6 weeks of age.

Newborns fall asleep dreaming and keep dreaming for 20-30 minutes after falling asleep. When your newborn dreams, they are in a light sleep and can wake up easily. They may twitch, move their eyes, make noises or startle. You can help them stay asleep longer by continuing to hold them during this lighter sleep phase and lay them down after they are fully relaxed into a deep sleep.

During your baby’s first month, you can help them feel more secure by swaddling them in a light blanket. This keeps your baby feeling cozy and warm without being overheated. As your baby gets older, they will need space to roll around in their crib — you should stop swaddling and put them to bed in the center of the crib.

Creating a safe sleep environment for your newborn is essential to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). A newborn should always be put to sleep on their back on a firm mattress with nothing else – no blankets, toys, or pillows. Your baby should share your room, but never your bed. Keeping them close to your bed in their own cradle, bassinet or crib is a good idea for the first few weeks.

It is normal and important for your newborn to wake up every 2 to 3 hours to eat, have their diaper changed and bond with you. Newborns have very tiny stomachs and need to be fed often or “on demand.” Over time, you will learn your baby’s different cues and when you need to respond right away and when you can let them calm down on their own.

Newborns sleep in short periods of time which add up to 16-18 hours a day. Babies begin to have sleep patterns when they are about 6 weeks old. By about 6 months, most babies have a fairly regular sleep cycle, but that doesn’t mean all 6-month-olds will sleep through the night!

Having a newborn often comes with lack of sleep and fatigue, so here are some words of wisdom:

Nap. It really helps. Even if you can’t fall asleep, at least lie down and rest. Your body and mind need it to function.
Taking a walk, eating healthy, avoiding alcohol, and limiting your caffeine will also help with your sleep shortage.
Let people help you — especially with household chores.
Most importantly, if you ever feel too overwhelmed or stressed, talk to someone.