Let me guess. Does your newborn seem to cry, or feed all day long?
Does he wake repeatedly, even when he's only had 10 minutes sleep?
Are friends and relatives telling you he has reflux?
Over tiredness is a common reason for unsettled behaviour in newborns.
If your baby is struggling to sleep then check out these:
3 simple tips
1. Limit awake time
A newborn (first 8 weeks) can usually only stay awake happily for a maximum of 45mins. The longer he stays awake beyond this, the harder it will be to settle him to sleep and frequent wakings will be more likely. Try and get him back to bed well within this time frame and start from the very first nap of the day.
2. Create womb like conditions
Newborns become over stimulated very easily as they get used to the sensations of life outside the womb. Try and recreate womb like conditions at sleep time by swaddling baby securely and by lying him still. If your baby needs a little extra help, then white noise will block out other distracting sounds. Womb noises are thought to sound as loud as a vacuum cleaner so make sure the volume is up. Newborns LOVE IT!!
3. Resettle
If your baby wakes after 10 mins (very common in an overtired baby), and you want him to sleep in the cot, try and resettle without picking him up . Repeatedly picking him up will only overstimulate him further and may interrupt his ability to fall back asleep. 2 firm hands on either side of his body with a gentle pat or rock, is often all it takes to reassure a new baby.
Babies are born knowing how to sleep. They've already been doing it on and off for months, so it's not something we need to teach them. Just keep them clean, fed and comfy, reduce stimulation and they'll usually figure out the rest, in their own good time.
Love Katie
Midwife, Sleep Consultant & Postpartum Doula
www.katiesbabies.com.au
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