They're just so beautiful, aren’t they? All newborn babies have that soft, beautiful skin, sweet-smelling heads, and just the most adorable features. I remember each one of my children as newborns, and each of them would make me smile for the whole day after just a glance of their cuteness.
But being a first-time mother (and second and third and…) is an enormous responsibility fraught with unlimited questions. It can be difficult to understand how to feed and swaddle and feed and burp and how to simply just take care of your newborn - this doesn't always feel like a wonderful experience and can definitely feel overwhelming!
Fear not, we’re here to help, whether you are a new parent, a veteran parent who is just starting out with newborn care or maybe a grandparent, getting back into the swing of things. For our Handy Hints and Tips to Help Newborn Baby Feed & Sleep, keep reading!
- The Routine for Your Newborn Baby – Gentle, consistent routines is a must and is a great way to encourage better sleep. The Eat-Sleep, Sleep-Play routine (or E.A.S.Y. for the Baby Whisperer fans out there) is great for encouraging better sleep as it gently guides sleep and feeding times. Your routines don’t have to be dictated by the clock. Instead, you can use your baby’s feeding and sleep cues to help shape your routines.
- Time for Newborns to Wake Up During Daytime Feedings - This is a great way to help your baby sort out day/night confusion. Your newborn should be awake for at least 45 minutes during the first six weeks following birth.
- Breastfeeding – To breastfeed or not to breastfeed? That is the question for a lot of moms. On the one hand, breastfeeding provides scientifically backed benefits that are hard to not at least consider during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. Breastfeeding can be a wonderful way to feed your baby and is great for bonding. However, many moms find breastfeeding more difficult than they thought and factors such as time (mama is always on call), watching your diet and eventual return to the workplace can be difficult too.
- The 3-To-4 Month Sleep Regression – Why is it in a newborn-focused article that we include a link to this 4-month regression? This is the first major sleep regression that a baby experiences, and it often bites parents in their backsides. This regression is a shock to most parents. Just as they are able to get their baby to sleep well at night and nap better, this regression leaves them stunned. The baby is fussy and sleepless, leaving mom and dad wondering what has happened.
- Co-Sleeping – You can co-sleep with your newborn baby by room-sharing and co-sleeping While this arrangement might work for some families, others find it more hassle than it’s worth and can accept the inconvenience of walking down the hall every night to change diapers or feed their baby. You can also room-share - your baby can sleep in your portable crib or bassinet next to your bed. If you need to ease night time nursing, you can use an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. Many families love co-sleeping because it makes night time breastfeeding so easy. If you plan to co-sleep, it is important that you do so safely.
- Negative Sleep Associations – Many strategies and techniques that you use to help your baby sleep in the first weeks and months of life can become bad sleep associations. Your newborn will soon need you to rock, hold, swing, feed, or play with her to sleep. The process of teaching your baby a new way to fall asleep is called sleep coaching. Don't be alarmed that your newborn might form sleep associations. We recommend that you do everything you can to help your baby sleep for the first two months after birth. Once you feel secure and your baby is ready, you can gradually work towards independent sleep. You can, for example, try to get your baby up slightly in the morning so that they are ready to go.
- Growth Spurts – Your baby will experience many growth spurts during their first year. However, a lot of them occur in the newborn stage and it is important to be aware of when your baby will experience these growth spurts. Also, it is crucial to ensure that you are feeding your baby frequently during these periods. Although it may seem like your baby is only eating and sleeping during a growth spurt period – don’t worry, that's perfectly normal.
- Swaddle Your Baby – Swaddling has been part of caring for babies for centuries — millennia, really. It makes a baby feel like they're back inside the womb — or like they're being snuggled close. It has been shown to help many babies sleep better and it can be particularly helpful for babies with neurologic problems or colic. Swaddling may require you to experiment with different techniques until you find the one that suits your baby. A great place to start with swaddling is with the experts at Love To Dream. You should always keep in mind the safety aspects when swaddling your baby and especially to never place a baby face-down in a crib. Also, babies don’t have to be swaddled. If your baby is happy without swaddling, don’t bother.
- Reflux – Many babies will spit-up from time to time, but true reflux can cause severe stomach acid problems and even vomiting that makes it almost impossible for them to sleep. There are many ways to treat reflux at home. You can help your baby sleep better even if reflux symptoms are severe.
- Fussiness in Newborns – It is normal for newborns to have fussy spells, and fussy times of the day. Many newborns become fussy in the late afternoon or early evening. This is known as “The Witching Hour”.
- Colic in a Newborn Baby – If your baby seems fussy or just doesn't settle, it may be colic. Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there's no obvious cause and is a common problem that should get better by around 3 or 4 months of age. Remember that crying is normal during the newborn stage. If the crying lasts more than an hour, you might have colic.
- Wear Your Newborn Baby – Baby-wearing is a great way to bond with your baby and improve your sleep. Babies can calm down even the most fussy and colicky when they are held close to their parents. Reflux symptoms can be managed by wearing your baby.
- Sunshine and Fresh Air – What does sunshine and fresh air have to do with sleeping? Plenty, actually. Did you know that sunlight can help your baby correct her day/night confusions by helping to reset their circadian rhythms? It can, and we'll talk more about that shortly. Fresh air is also helpful - studies show that babies who get a good amount of fresh air every day (such as from a 20-minute walk) are able to sleep better and for longer periods.
- Day/Night Confusion in Your Newborn Baby – Babies don’t come from the womb knowing the difference between day and night. In fact, many newborns are confused about the days and nights. You can correct the day/night confusion if your baby is awake all night and sleeps most of the day. You can play and feed your baby in brightly lit rooms during the day. At night, keep the room darkened and your interactions to a minimum.
- Baby Massage – For newborn babies this is very relaxing. While a bath might not be the most relaxing thing you can do with your child, baby massage can! A baby massage is proven to be beneficial for both parents and babies as it both relaxes and promotes sleep.
Have you tried any of these? How did it work out? Perhaps we missed something and you have a wonderful tip - we (and everyone else!) would love to here from your experiences. Sign off in the comments!
