Many first-time parents wonder when they should start a sleep schedule for their newborn. With all the emotions and changes that come with bringing a new baby home, the idea of having some predictability with sleep is enticing.
Let’s first explore newborn sleep patterns.
What is the typical sleep pattern for newborns?
A newborn’s circadian rhythm (or body clock) doesn’t fully develop until around 17 weeks of age. During this developmental phase, days and nights may be mixed up, naps may be inconsistent, and babies may wake every 2 to 3 hours to feed around the clock. It’s not until around 3 to 4 months that a baby’s sleep can fall into a predictable pattern.
Tips for Building a Healthy Sleep Routine for Your Newborn
1. Eat-Play-Sleep Routine
Follow an Eat, Play, Sleep pattern with your newborn. After waking, your baby eats, has some playtime, then settles for their next sleep. This routine promotes full feeds, boosts skill development during alert playtime, and encourages the development of self-settling abilities without relying on sleep props such as feeding to sleep.
2. Be Mindful of Newborn Wake Windows
Newborns can typically only handle being awake for 45-60 minutes at a time, so it’s important to keep an eye on their sleep signals. Timing is key, as putting your baby to sleep either too early or too late can affect how easily they fall asleep and how long they sleep.
3. 12 Hours of Day, 12 Hours of Night
It can be tricky to determine when nighttime starts and ends with a newborn. A helpful approach is to consider night and day as 12-hour intervals. For example, if your baby went to bed at 8:00 p.m., then 8:00 a.m. will be the start of the next day.
4. Newborn Naptime and Bedtime Routines
Setting up a consistent naptime and bedtime routine right from day one is a great way to help your baby differentiate between day and night and start to sleep for longer stretches in the night.
Keep in mind that every baby is unique, so be flexible and patient as you navigate your newborn’s sleep.
Struggling to establish a routine with your newborn? I can help. Let’s connect, and together we can find the best solution for your family.