Ah, Sweet Sleep, the holy grail

So, you have navigated the tricky waters of pregnancy, birthed your baby (or babies) and now begins the fun part: raising your tiny human.

That includes feeding, changing, emotional support, and, crucially, sleep!

Ah, sweet sleep, the holy grail of being a parent and one of the most discussed baby topics.

All new parents want an answer to this question: “How can I get my baby to sleep through the night?”

This blog will offer suggestions that help you to understand more about the how, when and whys of baby sleeping and what to expect in those early weeks and months. So, sit down, make yourself comfortable, grab a brew and let’s begin!

What is a good sleep routine for a newborn?

Your baby will not be born with a routine of any sort, and this is something that you can develop together over time.

The early weeks will be spent feeding, changing, and sleeping several times daily. Gradually as you introduce a routine, your baby will often (not always) learn that they can settle for more extended periods (hopefully at night) and that you have not abandoned them.

Babies need to feel safe; they ask for nothing more than to be fed, kept warm and secure, and loved.

If your baby is put to sleep in a safe, warm, loving, cosy environment where they know you are nearby to soothe and resettle them if needed, they will be more readily settled than a baby who feels overwhelmed.

The key to a routine is to keep it familiar each time you put them down to sleep, especially at night. Your baby will gradually recognise the cues and associate them with sleep.

Newborn sleep routine

Here are some steps you may choose to include in your routine:

1. Dim the lights and keep noise to a minimum to help your baby to wind down.

2. Bath your baby. Some babies love it, and others don’t enjoy bath time, so follow the baby’s cue. Read more on how to bath your baby here.

3. Massage your baby using baby-specific products. Many babies enjoy the soothing touch of their parents, but again, take the signs that your baby is giving you to gauge how happy and comfortable they are. Check out our baby massage guide to learn more.

1. Read to your baby. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a baby book or Shakespeare. They just want to hear your familiar voice.

2. Cuddle or feed your baby to sleep. You cannot spoil a baby, so do what suits you and your baby. Learn more about breastfeeding positions here.

Teething, hunger, illness, and dirty or wet nappies can all interfere with sleep routines, so try to address those before settling your baby.

As a parent, you should also introduce an element of flexibility into the bedtime routine. Recognising when your baby is tired and ready for sleep is vital to starting the sleep schedule rather than scheduling set times.

How much sleep does my baby need?

How long should a newborn sleep?

It’s hard to say for sure, as it depends on your baby’s particular needs. Newborn babies will sleep more than they are awake (up to 18 hours per day) during the first couple of weeks. They will gradually become more alert and have longer wakeful periods.

They will wake for feeds, which should be offered at least 8-12 times in any 24-hour period, as the baby requires. They may also wake if too hot, too cold or if they need changing.

This period is ideal for new parents to rest, recover from pregnancy and birth, and adapt to life with a new baby. By the time your baby is 3-6 months old, they may be sleeping for more extended periods at night but will still need several daytime naps, although these may now be shorter.

So, how much do newborns sleep?

All babies sleep at different times, for different periods and settle in different ways, just as adults do.

Sleep outside the womb is new to babies. They need to feel safe, warm, loved, and reassured. They do not understand the concept of day and night and frequently nap throughout both, gradually developing a sleep-wake cycle more in line with older children and adults.

However, this takes time, and parents need to understand how to cope with this. It’s all part of the baby sleep training process.