Your little one is finally here! Bringing your newborn home from the hospital is so exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Nighttime can feel especially daunting at first, when everyone (including your baby!) is adjusting to new routines. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a veteran, we hope you find these sleep tips for newborns helpful and encouraging.
Remember That You are a Great Parent
This might not seem like a sleep tip, but it’s important to remind yourself that you are the best mom or dad for your baby. We mean it! It’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we’re sleep deprived or stressed (or both!). So remember to be kind to yourself during this transition into a new season.
Consider a Simple Routine
Even when your baby is young and not very interactive yet, a simple routine can help set the tone for sleep. Whether that includes a bath, reading a book, singing a song, turning the lights out, changing into a sleep sack, or something else, try following the same simple routine for bedtime. Additionally, this can help parents slow down and remain relaxed before bedtime.
Turn on a Sound Machine
Sound machines are great tools for helping babies sleep. Read about sound machine safety for newborns.
Sleep Training
There are a wide variety of sleep training classes for parents, including online group classes, self-paced courses, and one-on-one coaching. Taking a sleep training class does not mean you’ve failed as a parent. When parents and babies can both sleep, the whole family functions better. Most of us are our best selves when we sleep well, so get help from a professional to make sleep happen for everyone in your family.
Don’t Compare
Finally, don’t compare your newborn’s sleep patterns to your friends’ babies, babies on social media, or even your previous children. Every baby is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sleeping. Don’t get discouraged if your journey is different than someone else’s.