Newborn Sleep

You did it! You survived pregnancy! You had a baby! You’re home from the hospital, NOW WHAT?!

My top tips for parents of newborn babies: 

1. White noise. Remember, this is all new for baby. Baby has been in a safe space up til a few days ago! It was not dead silent! There were heartbeats and the sound of whooshing blood. Get a white noise machine and run it when baby is asleep so that they fully relax and outside noise is blocked out.

2. Pitch black. When baby slept in the womb, there was hardly any light. So let’s replicate that in the fourth trimester. Make sure the room baby is sleeping in is dark when baby is sleeping. It allows for them to get super restorative sleep!

3. Timing is everything. I can’t stress this enough. Newborn babies can’t be awake for hours. They need to be put down to sleep every 45/60 mins in the first few months. I know this sounds unreasonable however, that’s how it was in the womb! They slept on and off all day. Why? Because their circadian rhythms haven’t developed and won’t til about 16 weeks. An over tired newborn will not know why they are tired just that they are and THEY HATE THIS FEELING and will cry themselves until exhausted and fall asleep. An overtired baby is one of the hardest things to deal with as a new parent and one of the easiest things to avoid. Honestly, even today with my two toddlers, when they are cranky it is an early bedtime. Because who doesn’t benefit from a little more sleep? I know I’m my best self with another hour of rest!

4. Take time for yourself. When baby is asleep take a shower, eat something, have a coffee or a nap! I know everyone says this but take the help when you need it. That plus these newborn sleep tips will have you rocking through the newborn phase. If not, come talk to me!

Safe Sleep

Safe infant sleep 

I’m jumping off of an Instagram story I watched recently by @mommy.labornurse regarding SIDS and cribs, I wanted to quickly list my sleep hygiene tips for you guys! Safe sleep is a priority of mine and while I know sometimes it’s not every day practice, I think we should strive to be safe! 

1. Nothing in crib but baby. Those cute little crib bumpers from Pottery Barn? Put them away. Loose ties and lengths of fabric. No stuffed animals for a little while (bring them back around at 12m+). Just baby and their swaddle/sleep sack! Pacifier is ok, loose. 

2. Put baby flat on their back, on a firm supportive mattress. Eventually, baby will learn to role over and have the mobility to sleep in other positions, but new babies go on their back. 

3. No bedmates! This means no siblings or parent in the sleep space. Co-sleeping may be convenient, however accidents happen. 

Heidi’s Crib Code 

I know so many of us are so excited for baby that we get the nursery furniture and set up the crib and bedding immediately! But, there are a few things you should do before hand! 

1. Take the crib mattress out of the packaging and let it air out for 24/48 hours. I always do a bit longer than the instructions say. The mattresses are treated with flame retardant and it’s best to let that air out before baby sleeps on it. 

2. Cover mattress in a waterproof cover. This protects baby from any remaining chemicals after the air out AND saves your mattress from pee stains or worse...blow out stains! 

3. Wipe down (with cleaner of choice) all the furniture in the nursery after it’s assembled. Give the room a good airing out. 

Sleep safely and soundly ♥️😴