How to Get Newborns to Sleep

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In this Article:Seeing to Your Baby’s Needs Helping Your Baby Establish Good Sleep Habits Creating a Simple Bedtime Routine Community Q&A 16 References

Caring for a newborn is hard work, especially if you are having trouble getting your newborn to sleep and you are not getting enough sleep as a result.

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You may be wondering how to get your newborn to sleep in a more regular or predictable pattern. Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure your baby’s comfort, safety, and readiness for sleep.

1 Change your baby’s diaper and put comfortable pajamas on them. If your baby has a wet diaper, then it will be hard for them to relax. Likewise, an uncomfortable outfit will also make it harder for your baby to sleep. Change your baby’s diaper and put on their pajamas before you put them down for bedtime or a nap.^[1]
- A lightweight long-sleeve cotton shirt and a muslin sleep sack are good options for warmer weather, while a pair of fleece sleeper pajamas or a pair of long-sleeve cotton pajamas with a fleece sleep sack are good options for colder months.
- Newborns will have 2 to 3 wet diapers per day for the first few days, and then 5 to 6 wet diapers per day after that.^[2]
2 Nurse or bottle-feed your baby. Your baby may have trouble falling asleep if they are hungry, so make sure to feed your baby before you put them down for a nap or bedtime. Also, keep in mind that newborns typically will not sleep through the night because they need to eat so frequently.^[3]
- Newborns need to eat often, about once every 2 to 3 hours. A newborn may only take in 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) of breast milk or formula per feeding in their first few days, but this amount will gradually increase and they will be drinking between 2 to 3 fl oz (59 to 89 mL) per feeding by around 2 weeks.^[4]
- Breast-fed babies need to feed about 8 to 12 times per day, or about every 2 to 3 hours.
- Bottle-fed babies need to feed about once every 3 to 4 hours.
3 Check your baby’s skin temperature to determine if they are too hot or too cold. It is important to avoid over-dressing or over-bundling your baby, but your baby may also be underdressed. Touch your baby’s bare skin under their clothes, such as on their back. Your baby’s skin should feel warm, but not hot or cool to the touch.^[5]
- If your baby is sweaty or their skin feels hot, then they are likely overdressed.
- If your baby’s skin feels cold, then they are likely too cold and need another layer or a warmer pair of pajamas.
4 Hold, cuddle, and rock your baby to calm them if they are fussy. If your baby is crying despite making sure they are comfortable enough for sleep, they may be seeking comfort and affection from you. Pick up your baby, and then stand or sit and rock your baby.^[6]
- Keep in mind that you cannot “spoil” a newborn with too much love and affection! Holding your baby often may actually make them less fussy overall.
5 Swaddle your newborn to help them feel more secure. Lay a swaddling blanket on a sturdy, flat surface so that it looks like a diamond. Fold the top corner of the diamond down and place your baby on the blanket with their head on the folded part. Bring 1 side of the blanket across your baby’s body and tuck it under their armpit. Wrap the bottom end of the blanket up to your baby’s other armpit and tuck it in. Wrap the remaining end of the blanket across your baby’s arms and body and tuck it in.^[7]
- The blanket should be snug around your baby’s body, but not tight. Your baby’s face and neck should be visible.
- You can also purchase special swaddle wraps with Velcro flaps to make swaddling your baby quick and easy.
6 Lay your baby…