Conquering the Chaos: Newborn Sleep Tips for Tired Parents

Those first few months with a newborn are a whirlwind of emotions – pure love mixed with exhaustion! Sleep deprivation often tops the list of challenges new parents face. But fear not, there are ways to navigate the wonderful world of newborn slumber.

Taming the Startle Reflex

Newborn babies come equipped with a startle reflex, a little jolt that can disrupt their sleep. Imagine constantly being startled awake! Swaddling recreates the cozy feeling of the womb, calming your little one and promoting better sleep. However, remember to stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling over.

Daylight Party, Night time Blues?

Newborns are sleep champions, clocking in 16-20 hours a day. But here's the twist – they often sleep more during the day and party at night! This is because in the womb, your baby was lulled by your constant movement. So, how do we adjust their internal clock?

The Gentle Reset:

• Break Up Long Naps: During the day, gently wake your baby after a 2-hour nap for a diaper change and feeding. This helps regulate their sleep schedule and nighttime wake-ups.

• Le Pause: The Power of Waiting Our natural instinct is to rush to our baby's side at every peep. But here's the secret – newborns cycle through quiet and active sleep states. Sometimes they might fuss or make noise during the "active" phase, but they can settle back to sleep on their own. Give them a few minutes (Le Pause!) before intervening. They might surprise you!

Remember, consistency is key. By gently nudging your baby's sleep schedule towards a day-night rhythm and learning the art of Le Pause, you'll be well on your way to more restful nights (and maybe even some daytime naps for yourself!). Sweet dreams!