Newborn Sleep Routines

Believe it or not, newborn babies sleep a lot.

It may not seem so to you, as you desperately prise your eyes open, but in fact they need to sleep between 16-18 hours out of every 24 (although this can vary widely).

Newborns have a lot to process in that little brain, and it’s when they sleep that they begin to absorb and make sense of all their new experiences. And while he’s asleep, your baby is renewing his energy for all the fun of the next day – which is why it’s important that you're able to function, too.

Newborn basics

In the early weeks, your baby's more likely to sleep in short bursts, which means it can be difficult to regulate any sort of sleeping pattern. But it’ll make life much easier if you can get him in the habit of shorter daytime naps and longer night-time sleeps.

One of the hardest things to get used to as a new parent is the way babies wake frequently during the night, sometimes as often as four or five times. It also helps your baby understand that daytime is for playing and being with other people, and that night-time is for going to sleep to recharge those batteries.

Easier said than done?

Regular routines give babies the stability and security they find naturally comforting. Every baby is different – what works for your best friend or sister’s baby might not work for you and your child; it can be trial and error.

But after a few days of sticking to a regular pattern, things should get easier – the trick is not to give up.

Research from the University of London found that frequent feeding during the first week of your baby’s life can stop him sleeping through the night months later, with babies fed more than 11 times during a 24 hour period being three times less likely to sleep through the night at 12 weeks of age.

First things first

Start teaching your baby that going to bed at night is different from a daytime snooze. During the day, ensure he’s comfy and cosy (but not too hot) and put him down in his crib or pram for 40 winks. At night, always take him to the room he sleeps in, draw the curtains and leave just a nightlight on.