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 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’s
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.