By Catherine Thompson at Completely Baby 

Image by Daniella Photography

Welcoming a newborn into your life is a beautiful experience, but it can also bring challenges, especially when it comes to sleep and feeding. In those early weeks, parents often find themselves struggling with establishing a routine, understanding their baby’s sleep patterns, and figuring out how to feed their little one. With a little guidance, this stage can feel less overwhelming, allowing you and your baby to settle into a rhythm that promotes connection in order to thrive!

Key Takeaways

In this article, we’ll cover:

1. How to understand and navigate your newborn’s unpredictable sleep patterns.

2. Practical tips for creating a safe sleep environment.

3. Effective feeding strategies to support both nourishment and restful sleep.

4. How to establish a gentle rhythm that works with your baby’s unique temperament and needs.

Understanding Newborn Sleep Patterns

Newborns have unique sleep patterns that can be confusing for new parents. Unlike adults, babies sleep in shorter cycles and often wake frequently, needing a feed or comfort. On average, newborns sleep between 16-17 hours across a 24hr period, but like us adults every baby has their own unique sleep needs so take this as a guide! Newborns don't have the ability to distinguish between night and day. They will likely have wakeful and unsettled periods, which can feel exhausting at 2am when you naturally have that drive to sleep, but it’s normal for this stage of development.

Here are a few key things to know about newborn sleep:

• Short sleep cycles: Newborns sleep in cycles that last about 20-30 minutes, often waking between cycles.

• Active sleep: Babies spend a lot of time in a lighter, more active phase of sleep (similar to adults’ REM sleep). This means they may twitch, stir, or even make noises during sleep.

• Frequent waking: It’s common for young babies to wake every 2-3 hours, particularly for feeds, as their small stomachs require frequent nourishment.

During this period, it’s important to adjust your expectations. It’s less about trying to get your newborn to sleep through the night and more about learning how to care for your unique baby and understanding what works for them and what doesn’t.
Just as newborns have feeding cues, they also have cues that say “Hello, I’m getting ready for sleep”, so looking for these behavioural changes can support you in helping them to find sleep more easily. That being said, some babies are easier to read than others!

Creating a Safe Sleep Environment

At Completely Baby, I follow the Safe Sleeping Recommendations outlined by Red Nose Australia. Safety is paramount when it comes to sleep, especially for newborns. Following safe sleep guidelines can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe during sleep. Here’s some key points to keep in mind:

• Place your baby on their back: Always place your newborn on their back to sleep, as this is the safest position.

• Use a firm, flat surface: Ensure your baby’s cot has a firm mattress with a fitted sheet, free from any loose bedding or toys.

• Maintain a consistent sleep environment: A cool, quiet, and dark room is ideal for sleep. Avoid overheating by dressing your baby appropriately and maintaining a comfortable room temperature.

These steps create a safe and supportive environment, allowing your baby to rest well whilst giving you peace of mind.

Newborn Feeding: Building a Foundation

Feeding is just as important as sleep, especially in these early weeks as you and your baby are getting to know each other and they are adjusting to feeding in a different way!

Sleep and feeding are interconnected, you can’t look at one without looking at the other! Whether you’re breast or formula feeding, newborns need frequent feeds due to their small stomach capacity. Here are a few feeding tips to keep in mind:

• Frequent feeds: Newborns typically feed every 2-3 hours, and as I Mum myself I appreciate it can feel like an exhausting cycle of feeding and sleeping. This, however, is completely normal, and as your baby matures they will naturally extend their time between feeds.

• Responsive feeding: Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues (such as sucking on their hands or rooting), and feed on demand rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. This helps ensure your baby is getting enough nourishment and helps build a secure feeding rhythm. A calm baby will likely be easier to feed!

• Burping: After each feed, gently burp your baby to help release any trapped air, which can make them uncomfortable.

• Toolkit: Making feeding as efficient as possible in the middle of the night is important to maximise yours and your baby’s rest. My friends at Bubka suggest having a pair of Eco-Friendly Breastmilk Savers on your bedside to catch the letdown on your other breast as you are feeding bub- especially in those first 6 weeks as your body is regulating milk production. If you need to express, keeping the Bubka Move Breast Pump within reach will also keep things efficient and easy allowing you to multitask and speed up that night wake. 

Remember, feeding is not just about nutrition—it’s also a time for bonding and observing your baby. Holding your baby close during feeds and establishing a comfortable environment helps to set yourself up for this caregiving moment, if you have a partner or family member around - it’s important they nourish you also!
An advocate for early education and support, don’t underestimate the value of engaging with a Lactation Consultant early on. 

Establishing Healthy Sleep Foundations

Whilst newborns don’t come with manuals, you can start establishing rituals and cues that signal when it’s time to sleep or feed. These cues will provide predictability for your baby and can help make transitions smoother:

• Bedtime routine: At around 6-8 weeks, you could introduce a simple bedtime routine to signal that it’s nighttime. This might include a warm bath, massage, soothing sounds and a feed in a dimly lit room.

• Day and night differentiation: Help your baby understand the difference between day and night by keeping daytime naps lighter (in a naturally lit room) and nighttime sleep more quiet and dark.

• Swaddling: Wrapping your baby can be an effective method to support your newborn to find calm and settle for sleep. Always consider your baby’s stage of development and discontinue wrapping once your baby’s startle reflex is lessening and they are showing signs of rolling.

These rituals are not about forcing sleep but rather creating a consistent pattern of events leading up to sleep, that your baby will begin to recognize and expect as they grow.

Common Challenges: Navigating Sleep and Feeding Struggles

It’s natural to face challenges with sleep and feeding, especially as every baby and parent is different. Here are a few common hurdles parents encounter during this age and tips to overcome them:

• Crying: It’s normal for your newborn and young baby to have unsettled periods. Babies cry as a way of communicating a need to us and sometimes we can’t always soothe them, which can leave you feeling deflated and stressed. Reading around this subject can help support you, see Settling Crying Babies Factsheet. 

• Frequent night feeds: Your newborn baby will need frequent feeds overnight and nappy changes! Look at your support network to help you during the first few weeks, getting in some early nights and rest where possible throughout the day.

• Cluster feeding: Some babies go through periods of cluster feeding (feeding more frequently than usual), especially during growth spurts. While this can be exhausting, it’s temporary and helps meet your baby’s increasing nutritional needs.

Understanding these challenges and equipping yourself with strategies ahead of time will help you get through these moments in time and support your baby’s development.

Where to Next?

If you’re struggling with your baby’s sleep and looking for a holistic approach in child development, I’m here to help. With a background in health and education, I take a personalised approach to support families with their infants and toddlers. Whether you need in-home or remote guidance, I offer solutions tailored to your child’s unique needs. As an experienced baby sleep consultant, I’m committed to helping you and your baby find the right rhythm for restful nights and easier days.

SPECIAL OFFER: My first ebook, Connect to Thrive - A Holistic approach to the first four months gives you a comprehensive take on the fourth trimester.

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If you prefer to chat directly Let’s talk !  Book a free 15-minute chat today to discuss how I can support your family’s sleep needs.