All About Newborns
Congratulations!
You’ve welcomed a new addition to your family. Now, you’re sitting here at 8pm, wanting to go to bed, but you don’t know what to do with your newest arrival. If that’s you, I’ve been there too.
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends the following for reducing the risks of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome):
Place your baby on their back for all naps & at night
Use a firm, flat sleep surface
Never sleep with your baby, room share instead
Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area (swaddle or sleep sack and pacifier are ok)
Here are some tips to help you out:
Use a white noise machine. In the first few months, we are trying to re-create the womb. When your baby was in your womb, it was not quiet; there were lots of noises. For example, the sounds of your heartbeat and blood swooshing around. Ensure the noise is under 70 decibels.
Ensure the room is dark. Again, recreating the womb. Even a little bit of light can stimulate your baby.
Swaddle your baby. Babies are born with a startle reflex called the Moro Reflex. This reflex can cause your baby to wake from sleep. When you swaddle, you decrease that movement.
I hope these tips help you get a few hours of sleep. Just remember, newborns need to be fed often, even at night. If what you’re doing is not working for you – be sure to check out my blog for more resources or get in touch with me to book a consult.
