The arrival of a baby is an exciting time that new parents find incredibly beautiful but also particularly challenging. Especially the first four weeks are eventful, as mom and dad get to know their baby and its signs for, e.g., hunger, sleep, and closeness. A particularly significant topic that is central from birth is baby sleep in the first month. In the following blog post, we will take a look at baby sleep in the first four weeks, how much sleep your baby needs, how the awake phases are distributed throughout the day, and how the sleep cycle of a newborn works. Additionally, we will provide tips on how to make baby sleep in the first month as restful as possible for your newborn.
How much does a newborn sleep in the first month?
In the first weeks after birth, babies sleep a lot, and a day-night rhythm is not yet established. Infants spend most of the day and night sleeping. On average, this is 16 to 20 hours daily. However, keep in mind that baby sleep always occurs in short intervals and is interrupted by feeding or bottle feeding, short awake phases, and diaper changes.
How many awake phases does my baby have in the first month?
Newborns have only short awake phases in the first month, lasting between 30 minutes and an hour. During this time, your baby is often fed or changed, and there are brief interactions with the parents. The attention span is still limited, and your baby will get tired quickly.
Does my baby have a sleep rhythm in the first month?
In a newborn, the sleep cycle is not yet mature. Babies initially sleep in short intervals and cannot yet distinguish between day and night. To help your baby learn a day-night cycle, you can introduce brightness and movement during the day and keep interactions subdued at night, speaking softly and using only dim lighting.
How often do babies wake up at night?
In the first weeks after birth, babies wake up every two to three hours. This is completely normal, as the stomach is still very small and requires food more frequently. As your baby grows and gets older, the sleep cycle will change, and there will be phases where your baby sleeps better and unfortunately also worse again. In the third and fourth week, it may already happen that your baby sleeps in longer intervals and wakes up less than in the first two weeks of life.
Tips for baby sleep in the first month
Maintain plenty of physical contact
After birth, your baby experiences different temperatures, the breeze on its skin, and perceives brightness and darkness as well as sounds and voices more intensely for the first time. What is obvious to us is a completely new and exciting, and perhaps even frightening experience for your baby. Through your closeness and plenty of physical contact, your baby feels safe and secure, as it recognizes your voice, your heartbeat, and your presence. The security you provide helps your baby find calm and sleep more easily.
Use a large nursing pillow
With an XXL nursing pillow, you can make yourself and your baby comfortable not only while breastfeeding: It also supports you while sleeping by providing a pleasant sleeping position where you can keep your baby close to you. For your baby, our XXL nursing pillow serves as a soft baby nest or acts as a safety barrier to prevent falling out of bed or off the sofa.
Rest and ensure relaxation
The birth was exhausting, your day-night rhythm has now changed, and being awake at night is challenging. It's clear that the days are now significantly more tiring, as your newborn wants full attention. This can lead to a daily routine consisting only of cuddling, breastfeeding, changing, and sleeping. This can be quite draining. Therefore, it is important to rest and relax after birth and during the postpartum period. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps, even if that is often easier said than done. If you like, seek help from friends and family for household chores or shopping.
Develop a routine
You will quickly notice that you and your baby develop a shared routine and a kind of rhythm, as you understand each other and you learn to interpret its signs and needs. Some parents track sleep, awake, and feeding phases using apps. This can help you develop a rhythm and routines. To help your baby fall asleep well, try to establish a calming routine.
Baby sleep in the first month: Conclusion
Baby sleep in the first month is still completely arbitrary and challenging, but it is a temporary phase. With plenty of calm, patience, a loving environment, and closeness, you can help your baby develop a kind of rhythm.
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