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Understanding your newborn's sleeping needs

Getting a newborn asleep can be a challenge, because their sleep is so different from ours. But the best attack is a good defense. If you know as much about your baby's sleep as possible, you avoid any bumps on the road.

Your baby's sleep will change as he/she grows larger. Indeed, your baby's sleep may be affected when she reaches certain developmental miles. As a fresh parent you can expect this:

0-3 months

First of all, know that newbornsmanysleep ... only not always to one piece. And it is difficult to have a large schedule, because newborns still have to start producing melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

It is normal for a newborn to sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day! But this sleep is split into small fragments - naps can take between 20 minutes and 2 hours, and the night sleep usually takes about 2-3 hours.

Newborns also have small stomachs - that of a baby of a week is about the size of an apricot - so they often need to wake up to eat, about every 2-3 hours.

The most important thing is to take regular naps. Try to put them to sleep after 45-60 minutes of awakening. Sleep leads to more sleep, so good sleeping days mean better night sleep!We also recommend waking up a newborn after a 2 hour nap, so they can eat enough during the day and notte getting a lot of sleep during the day.

Sleeping will be a valuable asset for mothers and fathers during this period, so have realistic expectations. But laying a good sleeping base isSunImportant.

newborn in the MamaRoo Sleeping Bed

3-4 months

Around 12-16 weeks babies start producing their own melatonin, also called the sleep hormone. Melatonin is what encourages us to go to sleep at night and sleep until morning. Although babies in this age group themselves are beginning to produce melainone, they do not yet produce a "full" amount of melaEURONE to sleep all night long, so don't expect that now! It often disappears around 3 or 4 am, so early morning hours can be heavy. Bake, move and noise can really help. Make sure the room is super dark too!

Children aged 3-4 months start taking very short naps, because babies then just start learning to go to sleep independently and may have trouble staying asleep. This is normal! Keep offering every 1.5 to 2 hours of naps to avoid overfatigue.Remember that the more they sleep during the day, the better they sleep at night! 

The biggest development change is that many babies are starting to roll around this time, which can cause major changes in their sleep, including the dreaded sleep regression of four months. There are many ways to stay ahead of these changes andimplementing proactive routinesto reduce the impact on your family's sleep, such as sufficient resting time on his/her abdomen during the day. Also, keep in mind that when they are rolling it is no longer safe to bake them in, so they can wake up more often.

4-6 months

This is when many parents report that they see great improvements in their babies'sleep. Your baby can now sleep longer pieces and hopefully you will get some more rest too!

Babies can handle being awake longer and you can get them on a schedule. From 4-7 months we offer 3 naps at 9.00, 12.00 and 15.00 hours. Bedtime should not be later than 6.30 pm. Always use an early bedtime if you have a day off!

Mother puts baby in the MamaRoo Sleeping Bed

In the development, babies can start with solid food around this time, which can disturb sleep when they have trouble digesting what they eat. Try new foods earlier in the day instead of introducing them at night so that they have more time to digest!

As their melatonin production increases, babies around this age can outgrow their need for movement. You will find that they sleep better without it. You can move the MamaRoo Sleep Cradle always adjust when you notice your baby is ready to teat in preparation for the transition to its crib.  

Other keys for sleep success

For sleep success you want to use the tools to help your baby get the best night's sleep. The first and most important thing is that your baby has a safe place to sleep. AAP recommends roommate with your baby (no bed-sharing) for up to 6 months. This can be a co-sleeper or a crib like theMamaRoo Sleep BassinetMake sure your baby's sleeping space:

  • Solid
  • Flat
  • Detailed - narrow-close bedding and no loose items

For warmth, your baby can wear a baked cloth if he or she can't roll over yet. Transition to a sleeping bag when they start rolling - a portable blanket is much, much safer than a loose one. And always put the baby on his or her back!

You will also want the environment to be conducive to sleep - noise often helps because it evokes the sounds of the womb, which is relaxing and reassuring for babies. (It also covers up outside noises, such as barking the dog or your TV!) A stand-alone white noise machine can be a great way to get stable, continuous white noise, or theMamaRoo Sleep Bassinethas built in the white noise.

Babies also sleep best in dark, cool environments - the ideal temperature is about 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. And although fresh newborns can often sleep fine in lighter rooms, it helps pitch dark develop their melatonin, especially in those harsh early morning hours, so it is worth making sure that their room is very dark from day one.

Babies thrive on routine as well - research has shown that babies from three months of age can rely on patterns to tell them what's going to happen. So try to create a consistent routine every time your baby goes to sleep, whether for a nap or bedtime, to help him understand that sleep is coming. It doesn't have to be long or complicated! Read a story quickly, put it in their sleeping bag or scarf, turn on their white noise, turn off the light and put it down. (You can also add a quick song or

If the baby sleeps well, you sleep well too. Knowing what to expect and preparing yourself for success is the key to a good night's sleep for the whole family.

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