Newborns
0-3 Months

It is normal & healthy for newborn babies to wake regularly & require attention (for feeding, nappy changes, comfort).

Newborn babies will often fall asleep while feeding, while being cuddled or when there is motion (like being in the pram/held in a carrier/travelling in a car). This is natural! 

Expect that the first month will be the most difficult in terms of sleep disruption.

Spend time with your baby, cuddling them, responding to their needs, learning their tired signs & other communications (discomfort, hunger, tired).

To support the development of the circadian rhythm expose your baby to natural sunlight in the morning & then again in the afternoon. If you can’t be outside, have your baby in a bright room so they are still exposed to the natural light.

It is helpful to start your day at about the same time. This will help to start creating a rhythm & some predictability for your day.

Develop a bedtime routine consisting of a couple of different activities, & do this every time. E.g. feed, wrap, cuddle, sing a song, then settle baby into bed.

If you feel comfortable to, give your baby the opportunity to settle themselves, but if they are becoming very upset, pick them up, calm them, & try again. This is the COTSS method (Creating Opportunities for Self-Settling; Blunden & Willcocks, 2012, “The Sensible Sleep Solution: A guide to your baby’s sleep in the first year”). This may not work every time, but keep trying.

The number of times a baby wakes overnight often starts to decline by the time the baby has established a circadian rhythm & understands the difference between night & day (around 3 months).