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:
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.
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!
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!
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!