Newborn Sleep and Safe Sleep
Newborn sleep.
Congratulations first of all. Welcoming a newborn baby into the world is incredible and such a special wonderful time. Welcome to your little bear cub.
So understanding Newborn Sleep: What Parents Really Need to Know…
Newborn sleep can feel overwhelming. Many parents worry their baby isn’t sleeping “enough” or “correctly” The truth is that newborn sleep is very different from adult sleep or even a young cub’s sleep and that’s completely normal. Why newborn sleep is so different is that newborns have undeveloped sleep cycles, no concept of day and night sleep and wake easily to feed, regulate their temperature, comfort and to feel safe.
Newborns will:
• Sleep in short stretches both day and night
• Wake frequently to feed
• Have irregular patterns and confuse day and night
How much should your newborn sleep?
Typically 14–18 hours in 24 hours, often in very short bursts, please do not worry about their short sleep windows. Variation is normal. What matters most is that your baby is feeding, growing, and settled with your support.
Contact Naps - Newborns thrive on closeness.
Contact naps - sleeping on you, in a sling, or on your chest on either parent both help a lot with them feeling secure, bonding, temperature regulation and contact naps are a perfectly natural way for you to support your little bear.
Cluster Feeding - This is a temporary surge of wanting to feed as much as possible - honestly cluster feeding I know feels super overwhelming, trust me I have been there but it is honestly a normal part of having a newborn and usually happens in the evening and there is a very good reason for it. Cluster feeding happens due to growth spurts and sleeping pattern changes - it is purely a sign your little one is growing nicely and doing well so don’t panic!
Tips for cluster feeding - Keep water and snacks nearby, use supported positions to feed in on and off for long periods, accept help where you can to help, and try just embrace the shorter sleep stretches temporarily. It’s normal and a sign your baby is growing beautifully and you’re doing an amazing job.
Newborns need your support through feeding, holding, comforting and gentle routines. The newborn phase is not creating bad habits—it’s meeting biological needs of your little one.
Safe Sleep - For me as an infant sleep consultant safe sleep guidelines are paramount to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) also known as “cot death”. Below are the following guidance which must be followed from birth until your child is 12 months old.
Room temperature should be between 16-20 degrees and your child should sleep either in a sleeping bag with the correct tog rating depending on the temperature of the room or with a light blanket which is tucked in at each side of the child’s sleep space and under their arms. Would strongly recommend having a thermometer in the room baby sleeps in to help with temperature control as this is essential practice to follow.
Your child should sleep in the same room as you for the first 6 months minimum.
A baby should always be placed on their back to sleep and with their feet at the end of their sleep space.
Keep your child’s sleep space clear of any cot bumpers, teddies, additional bedding and keep any blind cords/baby monitors/pillows/nappy sacks or decorative items etc out of reach of the baby.
Your child should have a firm, totally flat and waterproof mattress for the baby - this is extremely important. If baby falls asleep in the bouncer/swing for example then transfer them to their own separate sleep space.
Do not use any weighted bedding, sleep pods or sleep positioners.
Do not fall asleep yourself whilst holding your child, particularly risky when holding your baby in an armchair/sofa/nursing chair as baby could become trapped and then cannot breathe, therefore the risk of SIDS is very high in these scenarios.
Regarding if your child falls asleep in their car seat, use a mirror to keep an eye on them when out in the car, and when you reach your destination take them out the car seat ASAP. Coats/pram suits and hats must all be removed to travel in the car due to risk of overheating and for safety purposes. Car seats are not designed to be slept in for long periods of time. If you are needing to do any long distance travels regular breaks should be taken as especially a young baby should not be in a seated position for too long given the risk of SIDS, and same applies to older babies regular breaks need to be taken for them additionally.
In terms of if your child falls asleep in their pram, the pram must never be covered with a blanket or any other material as this stops air flow from circulating effectively and risks the baby overheating.
Lastly, I would strongly recommend the lullaby trust to keep up to date with safe sleep guidelines, they are a brilliant registered charity which promote expert advice on safe sleep guidelines and work to reduce the rate of SIDS and ensure your child is having safe sleep.
Please remember frequent waking, short naps, and night feeds are completely normal in the newborn phase! You are parenting exactly as your newborn needs - you’ve got this!.