Establishing sleep habits

Newborn babies sleep a lot. Expect your baby to be asleep for up to 18 hours over the course of 24 hours in his first few weeks. But they won’t sleep for more than one hour to three hours at a time.

 1.   Recognise the signs that your baby is tired

Ø  Rubbing eyes

Ø  Yawning

Ø  Flicking ear with hand

Ø  Looking away from you

Ø  Fussing

Ø  Whining and crying

Ø  Becoming quiet and still

2.   Don’t start a bedtime routine right away

No need to impose a sleep schedule on your newborn as soon as you bring her home. Your adorable bundle will likely sleep a lot those first few days.

3.   Show your baby the difference between night and day

After a few weeks, you can begin to show him the difference between night and day.

Day time

Ø  Change his clothes when he wakes to show him that it’s start of a new day.

Ø  Play, talk and interact with him as much as you can.

Ø  Keep the house and his room light and bright.

Ø  Let him hear everyday noises, such as the radio or television.

                Night time

Ø  Keep lights and noises low.

Ø  Change him into his pyjamas to show him that it is the end of the day.

4.   Separate eating from sleeping

Ø  After the first month, you don’t want to let your baby fall asleep while you are feeding or rocking her because you want her to figure out how to put herself to sleep.

Ø  Some parents try to push more formula, breast milk or baby food to try to make a baby sleep on schedule or sleep longer. This is not good for your baby.

5.   Allow your baby to learn to fall asleep independently

When your baby is at least three months of age and healthy, it is recommended that you give her the opportunity to learn to fall asleep independently.

Safe sleep for baby

Ø  How many hours a day does your baby sleep?

Newborns sleep about 16 hours a day. Usually in 3 to 4 hour periods. Your baby needs to eat every few hours, which is why she doesn’t sleep for longer periods of time. Your baby may get cranky or overtired if she doesn’t get enough sleep.

Ø  Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Put your baby to sleep on his back every time until he is 1 year old. It is not safe for a baby to sleep on his side or tummy. If your baby can roll over from his back to his side or tummy and over to her back again, don’t worry if he changes positions while sleeping. Give your baby tummy time every day. Tummy time helps your baby to sleep well.

Ø  Safest place for your baby to sleep

·         Place your baby to sleep in a bassinet or crib. If you have multiples, put each baby in his own bassinet or crib.

·         Put your baby to bed in his own crib or bassinet. Don’t share your bed. Keep your baby’s crib close to your bed so your baby is nearby during the night.

·         Put your baby to sleep on his back on a flat, firm surface like a crib mattress covered with a tightly fitted sheet.

·         Use a bassinet, crib or play yard that meets current safety standards.

·         Don’t let your baby sleep in his carrier, sling car seat or stroller. Babies who sleep in these items can suffocate. If your baby falls asleep in one of them, take her out and put her in crib as soon as you can

·         Don’t put your baby to sleep on a waterbed or sofa.

·         Remove any hanging window cords or electrical wires near where your baby sleeps.

·         Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping.

Give babies space to breathe – no pillows, bumpers, blanket or toys.