We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep but if only it was so simple for new parents! With feeds, nappy changes and the fact that your new arrival has NO idea what time it is (there’s no clocks in the womb!) , every parent is going to struggle with their new, unpredictable sleep pattern.
Here’s our favourite sleep tips to help you and your newborn get the best possible night’s sleep along with your newborn.
1. Create a relaxing sleep environment for you and baby
To help you drift off as quickly as possible once your baby is asleep, your bedroom should be a place for rest and relaxation so make sure that it’s clutter free and calm. Create a sleeptime atmosphere by lowering your voices and the sound on the tv or radio. Use dimmer lighting and avoid having bright screens like the television or laptops and tablets in the bedroom, which can be distracting.
2. Establish a bedtime routine for your baby
Create a sleep routine for your baby at bedtime to help them form a habit of knowing when it’s time to sleep. Winding down before bed is so important to promoting a good night’s sleep.
Between 3 and 6 months, your baby’s bedtime, nap times and wake-up times should start to increasingly fall at around the same times every day. You should learn to anticipate your baby’s sleep times and aim toward putting them down when they’re sleepy, but still awake. This will help teach them how to fall asleep on their own. That said, don’t feel pressured if it doesn’t always go to plan – a bit of flexibility will help keep things relaxed.
3. Create your own bedtime routine
Just as it’s important to establish a bedtime routine for your newborn, you should also be thinking of how you can create your own bedtime routine. Having a warm bath or reading a book can help you unwind. Try sprtizing a natural Sleep Spray in your room and on your pillow before you get in to bed. You should also try to avoid technology like smartphones and tablets at least an hour before bed, as these screens can overstimulate your brain.
4. Try not to stress, you’re doing a great job
This is one of our most important sleep tips for new parents and it’s a tricky one. Newborn babies are programmed to learn to sleep on their own (otherwise known as ‘self-soothing’). A common problem is sometimes new parents can overdo it trying to help their little one go to sleep.
5. Sleep when your baby sleeps
Of course napping won’t replace your full 8 hours sleep, but when nights with a newborn leave you sleep deprived, try to fit in a daytime nap. Many parents find that sleeping when their baby sleeps is a great method for catching up on sleep for periods throughout the day. In the early days of parenthood this can make such a difference. According to the National Sleep Foundation, a 20 minute nap can help you experience benefits like better mood and improved alertness. Leave the washing up and have that nap!
6. Use calming sleep products
Sometimes creating the perfect sleep environment just isn’t enough and your baby may need some extra help relaxing for a good night’s sleep. You could try a Kind and Calming massage oil along with a relaxing sleep spray to really help your little one unwind and sleep uninterrupted for hours.
7. An earlier bedtime is better than a late one
If you’re pushed for time and can’t stick to your usual baby bedtime routine then a great general rule is ‘an earlier bedtime is better than a late one’. You should find that your baby sleeps longer, as being overly tired makes it more difficult for babies to fall asleep.
8. You don’t have to listen to everyone’s advice
Ok, so here we are giving you sleep tips for your new baby and then telling you to ignore advice! But the point is, you’ll find some advice that works for you which doesn’t work for other new parents but you’ll figure that out along the way.
9. Don’t panic
Every baby is different and can struggle with different things so if you’re having trouble with your baby’s sleep, don’t panic. Just try and figure out what sleep tips work best for your baby and you.
