Newborn sleep routines

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Newborns will spend most of their time asleep and are programmed to sleep in short bursts of about 2-3 hours between feeds, night and day.

Your baby will need your attention during the night for feeding and settling for up to the first six months, and some babies even later.

Sleep routines for newborns can be as varied as they are for babies and parents. The approach you take will depend on the sleep choices you make, such as where your baby will sleep (in her own bed, in your bed, in a bed in your room). Some parents opt for little or no routine at all, content to follow their baby’s lead. Others find that a very simple, flexible routine seems to help their baby, and helps them to feel more in control.

Regardless, this is not the time for rigid plans – you may find your baby will not fit into even the best-laid plans anyway! In the first few months of your baby’s life it’s best to go slowly – get to know each other, and work out what’s best for baby and for you.

Feed, play and sleep … feed, play and sleep …

With a newborn, it pays to be flexible about when your baby sleeps and feeds. Many infant health experts believe that, when it feels right for you, it can help to begin doing things in a similar order each day: feed, play, sleep.

When your baby wakes up, give her a feed, change her nappy and then take time for talk and play (at night-time you might choose not to play and instead focus on re-settling).

For young babies, playtime may just be a quiet cuddle or some time stretching out and kicking on a blanket. Little babies get tired after about 10-20 minutes. You can watch your baby's tired signs and body language to see when she has had enough.

The key is to follow your baby’s lead about when to feed, play and sleep, but to begin doing these things in a similar order through the day.

Daytime sleep

Keeping your baby awake all day will not help her sleep better at night; daytime sleep is important too. However, it's best not to let your baby sleep longer than four hours in one stretch during the day. She will need to feed.

Feeding and sleep

Generally, newborns need to be fed every 2-4 hours. Your baby will sleep better after a good feed.

Settling

Your newborn will need your help when she is unsettled. If she has been fed in the last two hours, cuddling and comfort are in order. You could also try topping her up with a feed to help send her to sleep.

Wrapping

Wrapping your newborn in lightweight cotton or muslin can help her to settle. There is evidence that wrapping can reduce crying and waking by helping keep a baby stable on her back and reduce flapping arms.

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