New parents start to believe their baby prefers to sleep all day and party all night. Surely it’s too soon to start behaving like a teenager? Newborn babies and their parents love a sleeping routine but it takes some time for a baby to sleep overnight. A baby needs to be well fed to gain weight (the average is about 150-200 grams per week), so frequent feeding means they are really only capable of sleeping 2-3 hours at a time. The good news is, as they gain weight and get older (in weeks) their capacity to sleep increases… but sometimes there are a few hurdles.

Babies need balance

To generally sleep better, babies need adequate milk intake for the baby to gain weight and frequent, short sessions of tummy time. Once the baby is sleeping for longer stretches overnight they’ll only require short, frequent sleeps during the day with frequent feeds. Some people refer to these as ‘cat naps’ which are normal for a baby. To be capable of sleeping for longer sessions at night, babies need frequent feeds and frequent small naps during the day.

Yes, you can do something

In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to help you and baby get through the night.

1. Try bathing your newborn at 10pm every night. Dress and wrap your baby, feed them and then put them to bed around 11pm. The late bath is not forever, but it can be a very helpful routine for right now, the aim is to have the baby sleep 2-3 hours initially then 3-4 hours, 5-6 hours & so on.. Be consistent and your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.

2. Tummy time is important to a baby’s development and it also assists with sleeping. When you place your baby on their stomach while awake and supervised, it can help them develop strong neck and shoulder muscles. Baby needs a minute or two of tummy time about ten times a day from birth. As the baby gets older they will be capable of longer tummy time sessions. This play time or baby exercise is also essential for the prevention of a flat head too, known as Plagiocephaly. This can occur when babies spend too long on their back.

3. Wrapping the baby for all feeds and sleep can certainly help the baby sleep. Remember the baby has been in a safe, warm & buffered environment during pregnancy and it’s a big change when the baby is born. Wrapping the baby will help soothe and calm the baby by resembling life in utero and also settles the startle reflex.

4. Gastric reflux is another common reason why some babies have trouble sleeping. Reflux (or heartburn) causes a lot of discomfort to the baby and will prevent the baby from settling and sleeping. When the baby is lying flat in the cot the reflux can cause more distress to the baby.  Holding the baby in an upright position and smaller, more frequent feeding can help but it is important to be seen by the GP or your community midwife to diagnose and treat reflux.

Be as flexible as possible. Right now it’s all about your baby’s needs. The sooner you can respond to their desire for a feed or comfort, the more relaxed the baby will become. Keep reminding yourself that even though it feels like it, this won’t be forever. Always seek help from your community midwife or GP if you are concerned.

Babies need balance

To generally sleep better, babies need adequate milk intake for the baby to gain weight and frequent, short sessions of tummy time. Once the baby is sleeping for longer stretches overnight they’ll only require short, frequent sleeps during the day with frequent feeds. Some people refer to these as ‘cat naps’ which are normal for a baby. To be capable of sleeping for longer sessions at night, babies need frequent feeds and frequent small naps during the day.