Moms, dads and caretakers are often concerned with the bedtime, since this is a crucial moment that can influence babies’ development. There can be many tips and tricks as to how to make the newborn sleep, but we’ll show you that relying on the basics might be worth it.
Every child has their own routine and it’s part of the parenting journey to figure out what is the best way to get your newborn to sleep.
But here you can find some strategies that make it easier for your Little One to relax and associate these moments with sleep time.
Tips to Help Your Newborn Sleep
A list with actionable and simple steps to help your baby fall asleep.
Calming Bedtime Routine
Don’t overstimulate the newborn just before their bedtime.
Everyone else in the house should participate, as this helps create an association between a certain tone of voice, volume, and lightning, and the time to rest.
Differentiate Night and Day
Help your newborn associate the different times of the day, and accustom their routines according to each.
In practical terms, this would mean making sure your baby is out playing (yet safe from sun damage) while it’s still bright outside.
Whenever and wherever the baby takes a nap, keep the room quiet, with less lightning, and at a pleasant temperature: this will help when it’s night time and you’re aiming to get longer periods of sleep.
Swaddling Strategies
The idea behind it is bringing the baby back to what they probably felt while being in the womb—notably, the safest place to be when the baby is developing.
Wrapping your baby’s body will help to regain this feeling of security and comfort.
Appropriate Sleep Clothing
Make sure the baby is set to sleep in appropriate clothing according to the climate.
Also, avoid clothing that can limit their movements too much, or even cause unwanted accidents such as choking. When choosing sleeping clothes for newborns, prioritize those that don’t have any loose strings or buttons that can untangle.
Setting the Ambience
Once you’re figured out the right habits and schedule that will be followed to put the baby to sleep, prepare the room they’ll be sleeping in.
Dim the lights of the room where the baby will be at, including the bathroom when they’re taking a bath. Lower your tone of voice and put yourself in a state of calm so that the baby can follow, relax and go to sleep more easily.
Bonus: you can also try white noise as a strategy to soothe the baby and get them to sleep—just be careful not to overuse it and don’t put the volume exceedingly high.
Safe Sleep Environment: What Research Says
Creating a safe sleep environment is essential when learning how to get a newborn to sleep safely and consistently.
Research shows that simple choices can significantly reduce the risk of sleep-related incidents, including SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). These recommendations are designed to support both safety and peace of mind.
- Your baby should always be placed on their back to sleep, for naps and nighttime alike.
- Use a firm, flat mattress in a crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards.
- Like tight clothing, soft surfaces and inclined sleepers should be avoided, even for short periods!
- Keep the sleep space clear and simple. Pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and crib bumpers should stay out of the crib.
- If warmth is a concern, a properly fitted sleep sack is a safe and effective alternative.
Newborn sleep duration
As the baby is now part of the outside world, there’s so much their littles bodies have to interact and cope with.
Naturally, this effort comes with a strong characteristic: newborns sleep a lot. Maybe not for long periods of time at once, but they do need rest.
Babies up to 3 months old usually sleep at least 14 hours a day. It’s also very likely that they’ll wake during the night because they need to eat.
Recognizing Your Baby’s Sleepiness Cues
Learning to recognize sleepiness cues can make it easier to understand how to get your newborn to sleep before becoming overtired.
Newborns often show subtle signs that they are ready to rest, and noticing them early helps sleep come more naturally.
You may observe quieter behavior, slower movements, or less interest in interaction. Your Little One might briefly stare off, blink more slowly, or seem calmer than usual. These early cues are often the best moment to begin the sleep routine.
Physical signs can also appear, such as rubbing eyes, mild fussing, or yawning. In fact, yawning usually means your baby is already very tired, so responding to earlier signals can help prevent difficulty settling down.
Reasons Your Newborn Might Not be Sleeping
If you’re struggling with your baby’s sleep at night, reassess your routine and check off these possibilities. If the difficulty of sleep continues, consider consulting a pediatrician.
- Your baby might be hungry: try to stimulate them to eat more.
- They might be overstimulated: maybe they can’t tell night from day because they don’t associate the sunlight with activity and the night time with resting. Check the topics above regarding sleep routine and ambience.
- Are they experiencing pain or discomfort? Lightly touch and massage your baby’s body to make sure there are no signs of inflammation or swelling that would require medical assistance.
What to Do When Your Newborn Wakes Frequently at Night
Frequent night waking is completely normal in the newborn stage and does not mean something is wrong!
Your baby’s small stomach and developing sleep cycles naturally lead to multiple awakenings, especially for feeding.
When the baby wakes up, keep interactions calm and brief. Use low lighting, speak softly, and focus on meeting their immediate needs, such as a diaper change or room temperature discomfort. This helps reinforce the difference between night and day.
After soothing your baby, place them back in their sleep space while they are drowsy but still awake. Over time, this gentle consistency supports longer sleep stretches as your Little One grows.
When to Consult a Pediatrician or Sleep Specialist
If you have ongoing concerns about your newborn sleep, it may be time to consult a pediatrician. Seek guidance if your baby seems consistently uncomfortable, is not gaining weight, or shows signs of extreme sleep disruption beyond typical newborn patterns.
Poor sleep over time can affect a baby’s mood, feeding, and overall development. A healthcare professional can help identify underlying issues, such as reflux or feeding challenges, and offer personalized guidance.
Trust your instincts as a parent. Reaching out for professional support is not a sign of failure, but a proactive step in supporting your baby’s health and your own well-being.
Want more tips on helping your Little One thrive? Subscribe to our newsletter and join our community of parents today!