Top 10 Newborn Baby Sleep Secrets
From birth to one and a half to two months of age, a baby’s biological clock is not yet set, but healthy sleep is essential for proper physical and mental development.Therefore, it is very important that a newborn sleeps about 19-21 hours a day. Try different methods and "tricks" to help your baby fall asleep and extend their sleep. Don’t be afraid that your baby will get used to a specific pattern.
Here are some effective tips that will help your little one sleep soundly:
- Breastfeeding, or Bottle-feeding at Mother’s Breast
Sucking calms a newborn's nervous system. It also helps babies sleep longer and keeps them from waking up hungry. If you’d rather not associate feeding with sleep (since there can be drawbacks), try feeding first, then do something different—such as singing a lullaby, giving a gentle massage, or changing the diaper. - Rocking
Rocking can easily soothe your baby. You can rock your baby in your arms, in a stroller, or in a rocking chair. Always rock the baby gently to prevent dizziness, which could lead to a brief loss of consciousness that may be mistaken for falling asleep. The rocking motion is relaxing and reminds babies of a mother’s movements in the womb. When rocking your baby in your arms, the closeness also soothes them. Sometimes the baby prefers to be rocked by mom, sometimes by dad—experiment to find what works best for your baby and family. Rock your baby, but be careful not to tire yourself out. - Dim Light
Turning off the lights in the room helps your baby gradually learn the difference between day and night. Night is for sleeping. There will likely still be some disruptions in the sleep schedule, but patience pays off. If you need light to see the baby, their crib, or to change a diaper, use a nightlight with a dim red or yellow glow. This soft light, or total darkness, helps the body produce melatonin, which the body needs for healthy physical and mental growth.
If you want to know how well your baby is developing, try our Parents Mentor Test. The results of this unique test will help you understand what your baby truly feels and needs during this stage of life. - Lullaby
Psychologists say children who fall asleep to their mother’s lullabies tend to be more successful and less vulnerable to mental disorders. Even if you think you can’t sing, simply reading lullaby lyrics in a sing-song voice will work wonders. Calm and gentle singing creates a positive association with sleep and bedtime, while your baby falls asleep seeing your smiling face. - Bathing
Bathing is one of the most common bedtime rituals for babies. Most infants relax after a bath, though a small number become more alert and energetic. Sometimes, a tired and sleepy baby gets a boost of energy and no longer looks ready for sleep, delaying bedtime by 30-40 minutes. For these babies, try bathing earlier in the evening. - White Noise and Natural Sounds
Today, special apps and devices called "sound conditioners" can generate white noise.
When used, "white noise" masks other sharp sounds. Its monotonous nature helps babies fall back asleep if they wake up unexpectedly, relaxing their brains. White noise is especially helpful until about 4 months, before babies develop their own sleep patterns. This effect is not addictive, and babies will fall asleep without it as they grow. The hum of a fan, which sounds like rain or a river, is often used. If white noise feels unnatural, try gentle natural sounds like running water or leaves rustling.
For best results, keep white noise or natural sounds at a similar volume to running shower water (about 50 dB). Follow safety precautions—do not place the sound source closer than 1 meter to your baby. Let it play for 2-3 hours; it isn’t necessary to leave it on all night. - Massage
The gentle touch of a loving adult is beneficial to infants. A 7-minute massage can help your baby relax and unwind from any recent stimulations. Gently rub your baby's legs, hands, and neck, and stroke their back and tummy clockwise. There’s no need to twist or bend their legs before bedtime, unless your baby has gas—then you may help by gently bending their legs toward their chest to ease discomfort. - Swaddling
Some babies wake after sudden arm movements—a normal newborn reflex called the Moro reflex.
To prevent this, swaddle the baby’s arms. In this case, always lay the swaddled baby on their back—never on their side or stomach. - Stay Calm
Babies quickly sense an adult’s mood. Keep calm and confident in your actions, and use a soft, gentle voice. Your touch should be tender. You might talk softly about the day’s events: where you’ve been, what happened, or tell your baby about bedtime rituals like bathing, massages, or putting on pajamas. While your newborn may not yet understand, these routines create positive habits for the future. By 3-4 months, your baby will begin to understand your words. - Shifting the Baby to Bed 20 Minutes After They Fall Asleep
To avoid frequent awakenings, wait about 20 minutes after your baby falls asleep—when sleep is stable—before moving them to bed.