New parents are experts in dealing with exhaustion. Though newborns sleep for 16 to 17 hours every day--more than half the day--they do it in short stretches that don't give their sleep-deprived parents much opportunity to catch up on their own sleep. Putting a newborn on a sleep schedule requires commitment and consistency--two things new parents may find hard to come by. But sticking with a schedule can pay off with more sleep for all of you.
Step 1
Make the difference between awake time and sleep time clear to your baby. When it's daytime, talk and sing to your baby and play with her. At night or at nap time, use a soft voice and respond to your baby's needs matter-of-factly.
Step 2
Pay attention to your baby's sleep patterns and base your schedule around your baby's internal clock. You'll increase your chances for success by working with your baby's natural tendencies instead of trying to impose an arbitrary schedule.
Step 3
Start establishing a routine once you've figured out your baby's general sleep schedule. Create a series of actions you can use to clue your baby in that it's time to sleep. For bedtime, you might give your baby a bath, change him into his pajamas and read him a story to set the stage for sleep. Nap time might start with a story and a gentle back rub.
Step 4
Put your baby in her bed when she's sleepy, but still awake so she can get into the habit of falling asleep on her own.
Step 5
Resist the urge to immediately run to your baby whenever she makes a noise or fusses during sleep time. Babies are prone to nighttime squirming, startling and twitching, but these movements don't necessarily mean they're waking up. Wait to see if your baby settles back down on her own before going to check on her.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't let your baby get into the habit of falling completely asleep while breastfeeding or drinking his bottle. Keep your baby awake during mealtime, then help her settle down to sleep after eating. Newborns shouldn't sleep longer than five hours during the night or the daytime for the first five to six weeks of life. They need to eat that frequently during those early days to get the nutrients they need.
- Always put your baby to sleep on her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
