Newborn babies can definitely bring great joy but along with it also comes sleep deprivation. Most babies don't stay asleep for more than two to three hours at a time, day or night. So, it could only mean you'll be up for several times -- resulting to a tiring routine for you.
Well, no need to worry. Although it may seem like an eternity, sleep-deprivation won't last that long because by the time your baby turns three months, he will eventually develop regular sleep patterns. However, it may not be the pattern you've dream of. So, to help your newborn establish the pattern you want, follow these simple steps:
Spot the signs that your baby is ready to sleep.
During his first three months, recognize the signs that he is tired. Those common signs include: yawning, losing interest in his toys, rubbing his eyes and even whining and crying.
If you spot these signs, try to put him down. Don't wait until your child is too tired to put him in bed because an overtired baby has more trouble staying asleep.
Set the day-night sleep cycle.
You can start teaching your baby the difference between day and night when he is about two weeks old. Keep the daylight hours stimulating and fun for your baby. After you feed your baby, play with him and play music with him.
At nighttime, give your baby a signal that it's the end of the day and it's a perfect time to rest. Hence, you can keep the lights low and turn down the noise. Doing this routine every day can teach your baby that daytime is for play time while nighttime isn't. He will then learn to sleep on his own when it's dark.
Give your little one a chance to fall asleep on his own.
When your baby is about six weeks old, you can teach him how to fall asleep on his own. When you notice he is sleepy put him down, then just let him sleep on his own while lying in his bed.
Just follow these simple steps and your baby will surely have good sleeping habits.
