Ah, the elusive dream of a newborn sleeping through the night. If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably heard all the advice and tips about getting your little one to sleep soundly through those early months. And let’s be real—while it might feel like an impossible goal, it doesn’t hurt to try, right?
So, here are a few steps that could help your newborn sleep a little better at night. Spoiler alert: some of these might require patience (and possibly a lot of coffee), but every little bit helps!
1. Make Sure Your Newborn Baby’s Belly Is Full
This one’s pretty straightforward—make sure your little one is well-fed before you lay them down to sleep. A hungry baby is rarely a sleepy baby. If you’re breastfeeding, ensure your baby is getting a full feed, and if you’re bottle-feeding, make sure they’ve had enough to fill them up before bedtime. A full tummy helps keep your baby satisfied and less likely to wake up looking for more food just a couple of hours later.
2. Get the White Noise Going and Blackout Curtains
Creating the right environment can make a huge difference in your baby’s sleep. White noise helps to soothe them by masking other sounds that might wake them up, like a door creaking or a car passing by. Consider a white noise machine or even a fan to create that calming sound. And don’t forget about blackout curtains! Newborns are not fans of bright lights, especially at night. Darkening the room as much as possible helps signal to their tiny bodies that it’s time to sleep.
3. Wait 2-3 Years Until You are Well out of the Newborn Phase
Wait, what?! Yes, I know this sounds a bit like a joke, but let’s be honest: getting a newborn to sleep through the night is no easy feat, and they are still learning their sleep patterns. Some babies take a bit longer to adjust. So, while you may get some longer stretches of sleep here and there, don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, most babies don’t consistently sleep through the night until they’re between 2 and 3 years old. So, hang in there, friend!
BONUS: Swaddle!
While swaddling is no longer the norm for every parent, many find that it helps their baby feel secure and calm—just like being in the womb! Swaddling can prevent the startle reflex that might wake your baby, and it also helps them feel snug and safe. Be sure to swaddle them properly (no tightness around the hips!) and give it a try if you think it will help. My kiddos loved being swaddled and it truly helped us all get better sleep.
Hang in there, mama (or dad)! I totally get that the sleepless nights can feel endless, and my own kids still don’t have this whole “sleeping through the night” thing down perfectly. But remember, you’re doing an amazing job, and this phase will pass. In the meantime, make sure to capture these early days with newborn photos to look back on once they finally do sleep through the night. It’s a beautiful, fleeting time, and I’d love to help you preserve those memories at Alabaster Photos. You’ve got this!