Things I wish I knew:
- 💤 Babies sleep a lot in the first few weeks
- Up to 16 hours a day. However, this sleep is split into short naps of about 30 minutes on average. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” doesn’t really work! I was a zombie, especially the first month when I had to breastfeed without using a bottle. After one month, I started using bottles and had someone else take care of the baby while I took longer naps​
- 🛏️ Some babies sleep through the night from the start:
- However, you should wake them up to eat so that they don’t lose more than 7-10% of their birth weight (your pediatrician will advise you on this)
- 💤 Sleep regression:
- Sleep patterns are always changing. Babies stop sleeping at any given time. Whether you call it sleep regression or not, there’s nothing you can do but hang in there. This too shall pass.​ I found myself reading all the articles about 4-months sleep regression – that in the end didn’t help me at all – either that the fact that I was not alone. Read more about sleep regression.
- 🌡️ Ideal sleeping temperature:
- The ideal temperature for a baby’s room is between 68-70°F (20-22°C). It’s better for the baby to be cool rather than overheat, as overheating can increase the risk of SIDS. (Sleep Foundation)​​ (Sleep Advisor)​​ (Web-Pampers-US-EN)​
- 👗 How to dress your baby for sleep
- Here is a quick guide on how to dress your baby to sleep
Do’s:
- 🌞 Help regulate their circadian rhythm:
- Babies don’t open their eyes much in the first weeks. You need to help them regulate their circadian rhythm by exposing them to sunlight during the day​ .
- 🛌 Room-sharing:
- For the first 6 months, it’s recommended to room-share (not bed-share!) as it reduces the risk of SIDS by 50%. We had her sleep in the nursery but always had someone there. You can have the baby sleep in your bedroom, but be prepared for both parents to be woken up. Instead we took turns sleeping on a foldable twin bed in her room. And this way we also thought her that her room is the sleeping area
- 🌀 Use a fan to circulate the air is recommended, especially if the room is dry or if you are using a heater
- 🛌 Back sleep
- It is crucial to always put your baby to sleep on their back on a flat and firm surface. This practice has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Since the Back to Sleep campaign started in 1994, the rate of SIDS has decreased by about 70% in the U.S. and 81% in the UK​ (Verywell Family)​​ (Safe to Sleep)​​ (The Lullaby Trust)​.
- Personal story: At some point, we considered letting our baby sleep in the car seat all night because she slept so well in it. However, I learned that you should not leave your baby in a car seat for more than 2 hours due to potential strain on their spine and the risk of airway obstruction. Babies should not be unsupervised in the car seat either. I’m glad I read about this because my boyfriend was trying to use either a car seat or a bouncer for her to sleep at night​
- 🛏️ Swaddling: When sleeping, swaddle the baby tightly as it recreates the womb environment. A sound machine also helps.
Dont’s:
- 🛌 Bed-sharing:
- Bed-sharing significantly increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation, especially for infants under one year old. Studies show that bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS by up to 50% and accidental suffocation deaths by as much as 20 times​ (Verywell Family)​​ (Safe to Sleep)​​ (The Lullaby Trust)
- However, if you really “have” to do it, there are ways to do it “safer” – but I still if you can avoid it don’t do it. Here’s how?
- 🛌 No blankets or pillows in the crib:
- Don’t put any blankets, pillows, loveys, or anything that can fall into the crib. We bought a mobile to put on top of the crib, but our doula removed it on the first night, saying it’s not like in the movies
- 🚼 Stop swaddling after baby can roll over:
- Don’t swaddle the baby after they can turn from back to tummy. It’s very dangerous if they are swaddled in that position because they can’t get out of it, usually around 3-4 months
- 🕰️ You can’t sleep train the baby before 4-6 months old:
- Babies are not developmentally ready for sleep training before 4-6 months(Cleveland Clinic)​​ (What to Expect)​​ (BabyCenter)​
- 👗 Don’t Use Weighted Sleep Sacks
- Weighted sleep sacks are not recommended for babies due to safety concerns. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), using weighted blankets, swaddles, or sleep sacks can increase the risk of SIDS and suffocation. These items can cause overheating and may prevent a baby from moving freely if they roll over, which can lead to suffocation​ (Sleep Advisor)​​ (Sleep.com)​​ (Saatva)​
- There are many highly reviewed ones out there, such as Magic Merlin or Nested Bean. Don’t do it!
- 👗 Avoid overdressing: Make sure you don’t overdress your baby. To check, put a hand behind their neck—if they are hot, remove some clothes. Overheating is more dangerous than being cold. I once brought the baby to a restaurant where she was under a heat lamp, and she overheated. She was drenched in sweat and had wet hair. I was so scared! I quickly removed her clothes and woke her up