The Importance of Sleep in Newborn Babies: Tips for a Restful Sleep

Hey there, new parent! Been typing things like “how to make baby sleep at night” or “why my baby is not sleeping deeply”? You’re not alone, and this guide is here to help.

Sleep might feel like a distant memory right now, but this time, let’s talk about your baby’s sleep. But if your baby is not sleeping, or you’re wondering why your newborn is not sleeping, don’t worry, parent, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with sleeplessness in infants, especially in those first few months.

In this blog, we’ll share simple, effective tips on how to make baby sleep at night, understand the reasons behind sleeplessness in infants, and offer gentle solutions to help you both get the rest you need.

Why Is Sleep Important for Babies?

Sleep is one of the most important building blocks of an infant’s growth. It’s the cornerstone of early development. Babies spend a significant part of their day asleep, on average 14 to 17 hours, which Sleep Foundation's research indicates is essential for early development, especially in the first few months of life. Here’s why that’s so essential:

For their Immunity 

Regular and adequate sleep supports a baby’s immune system. During sleep, their tiny bodies produce proteins called cytokines, which help fight off infections and inflammation.

For their growth

A lot of an infant’s sleep is spent in the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage, which is when the body releases growth hormones. These hormones are essential for physical development, including the growth of muscles and bones, as well as for maintaining a healthy weight. Numerous studies claim that individuals who sleep less than the recommended amount show less physical growth than those who sleep well.

For their happy mood

Just like us, babies too find it hard to stay happy and jolly when their sleep needs aren’t met. Once you are an expert in this, you will get a glimpse of a baby’s crankiness to remind you of their sleep time.

For their brain

As Stanford Children's Hospital research shows, adequate sleep duration helps with white matter development in the brain, which is very much needed for effective communication between brain regions. Well-rested infants often tend to be less cranky and have a receptive behaviour for learning new things from their surroundings.

For reaching milestones at the right time

Getting enough sleep will help their body and brain function properly, which will lead them to reach age milestones at the right time.

Sleep Schedule Chart  for Newborns

Research-based baby sleep statistics and developmental data visualization

How to Help Your Baby Sleep at Night?

For newborns, it can be challenging to establish a consistent sleep schedule due to frequent nighttime feedings. But over time, you can gently guide your baby toward a more restful nighttime routine.

Important Reminder: Every baby is different. Some may love being rocked to sleep, others feel comforted by gentle music, while some prefer white noise or a quiet room. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s important to find what works best for your baby.

1. Establish a Bedtime Routine

Establishing consistent bedtime routines, as Mayo Clinic recommends, helps signal to your baby that it's time to wind down. You can try :

• A warm bath

• Changing into clean, comfy night clothes

• Dimming the lights

• Singing a lullaby or playing calming music

These cues can help your baby associate these actions with sleep and relaxation.

2. Choose Comfortable Clothing

Soft, breathable fabrics are essential. Even if an outfit seems fine to you, check that it doesn’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin or cause them to overheat. You can use organic cotton or bamboo fabric cloth , flannel for cold weather, and make sure you are not overdressed, which may lead to suffocation and overheating. Generally, a footed onesie with a baby swaddle wrap or a sleep sack is ideal for a soothing newborn to sleep.

3. Swaddling

Proper swaddling technique guide for better baby sleep

Many infants feel more secure when swaddled, as it mimics the feeling of being in the womb. A snug (but safe) swaddle can help soothe your baby and prevent them from waking due to the startle reflex. It might be a reason for sleeplessness in infants, so make sure your baby is okay for swaddling, or else you can go for sleep sacks, which adjust their body temperature and provide a snug feeling for their happy sleep.

4. Keep the Sleep Space Clear

Avoid placing toys, bottles, pillows, or loose blankets in the crib. A clutter-free sleep space helps reduce the risk of suffocation.

5. Expose them to natural daylight during the day.

This helps your baby’s body clock begin to understand the difference between day and night. When combined with regular feeding times and gentle activity during the day, it encourages longer, deeper, and more restful sleep at night.

What Not to Do:

• Avoid Co-sleeping:
  Having your baby sleep in the same bed as you increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It's safest for your baby to sleep in their crib in the same room.

• Don’t Let Your Baby Sleep on Their Stomach:
  Always place your baby on their back to sleep—this is the safest position. Some parents often find it hard for their baby to sleep on their back, but ensure this to avoid any potential risks.

•  Don’t Keep Baby Awake During the Day to ‘Tire Them Out’:
  This often backfires. Overtired babies can struggle more with falling and staying asleep. Instead, help them nap during the day as needed.

•  Don’t Swaddle If They Can Roll Over:
  Swaddling should stop once your baby shows signs of rolling to prevent them from getting stuck in an unsafe position.

Why My Baby Is Not Sleeping Deeply – Common Causes of Sleeplessness in Infants

Sleeplessness in infants is a very common issue for new parents. Babies may not sleep deeply for many reasons, like hunger, frequent night feedings, or simply not knowing the difference between day and night yet. These are all normal parts of early development and often take a little time to settle into a healthy sleep pattern. If you’re constantly searching ‘why my baby is not sleeping deeply’, know that broken or shallow sleep is a normal part of development and can improve with gentle guidance.

Some of the common reasons for shallow or broken sleep in babies include:

• Growth spurts cause them to wake more often. These are temporary but can affect their sleep.

• Not getting enough milk to feel full and settled. Sometimes, even if you’re feeding your baby for a long time, they might not be getting enough milk to feel full, and that can also affect how well they sleep.

• Wanting physical comfort or touch to feel safe. These are the times when contact naps are very important.

• Contact naps involve a baby sleeping while physically touching their parent, with the parent wide awake. This must strictly not be confused with co-sleeping, where the parent and the child are sleeping. This is not always encouraged, as there is a chance of the baby developing a habit of dependent sleeping.

• Sleep progressions or regressions as they grow

• Diaper discomfort. This is also another matter that cannot be overlooked. Many parents have noticed sleep issues linked to skin reactions from diapers. If your baby has rashes, redness, or seems restless during sleep, try switching to a  baby diaper brand that’s more gentle or breathable.

When to seek help?

• If the sleeplessness in infants is affecting their overall well-being, you must immediately seek professional help.

• Persistent fussiness 

• If the baby is sick and is impacting their sleep schedule, do not delay consulting a pediatrician.

• Showing consistent sleep issues 

• Follow your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to seek medical help for your child. When it comes to your baby, there’s no such thing as “just taking it easy.” Your instincts matter.

As a final note, let us remind you of this. Every baby and their sleep patterns are different. If your baby finds it hard to sleep after being swaddled or rocked like ‘other babies’, it is okay. If they do not sleep deeply, even if you took all the right steps, it is still okay. It is you and your baby, and eventually, you are gonna figure it out. So, stay calm and discover what is ideal for your baby’s sleep.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why my newborn is not sleeping ? Is it hard to implement a sleep schedule during the newborn stage?

Yes, honestly, it is. In those early weeks, babies don’t follow a routine. They wake up often for food, and their body hasn't yet figured out the difference between day and night. 

2. Why is my baby not sleeping at night?

It’s a common question for exhausted parents. Sleeplessness in infants can be caused by hunger, overstimulation, teething, or simply adjusting to life outside the womb. Establishing consistent routines can really help over time.

3. Why is my baby waking up the moment I lay her down?

This happens to almost every new parent! You rock or feed your baby to sleep, then gently lay her down...and TADA! The little one is wide awake. They may feel more restful in these contact naps, but you can let her learn to sleep independently. Also, you can reduce the movements very slowly and keep her in the crib while she is wide awake. 

4. How do I make sure he’s awake long enough during the day?

As we discussed earlier, there is no need to make them awake in the day for better sleep at night. The newborns are yet to learn about these differences, and may feel more restless if we disrupt their sleep cycle.  We can teach them a routine by actively engaging with them during the day and exposing them to daylight. At night, you can create a soothing and peaceful environment in which their body will learn to associate the time with sleep and rest.

5. What is SIDS?

According to American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines, SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It’s the sudden, unexplained death of a healthy baby, usually during sleep and under 1 year of age. Never co-sleep with your baby, and always help them to sleep on their back, which will lessen the risk of SIDS.

6. What if my baby is not sleeping, no matter what I try?

It can feel frustrating when you’ve followed all the tips and your baby is not sleeping well. Remember that every baby is unique, and sleep habits take time to build. Keep experimenting with gentle routines, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatrician if needed.