Newborn Baby Sleep: 6 Ways to Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits
At Ducky Zebra, we know that sleep (or lack of it!) is a huge topic for new parents. While our organic cotton sleepsuits can help keep little ones comfortable through the night, we also know that every baby is different - there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep. That’s why we spoke to Vicki Crawford, a Sleep Consultant from Little Seedlings, about how to support your baby (and yourself!) when it comes to newborn sleep. Whether you're navigating those first few weeks or looking for ways to encourage healthy sleep habits, Vicki’s expert advice can help. Here’s what she had to say…
How newborn baby sleep works
As a new parent or parent to be, sleep is one of the biggest topics parents often find themselves googling. How much sleep should they be getting? When should they wake up? How do I get them to sleep longer?
The truth is newborn sleep is different to that of babies, toddler and adults. Rather than sleeping in cycles of light and deep sleep, newborns experience two sleep states: active sleep and quiet sleep. Understanding these differences can help you create healthy sleep habits from the start.
Newborns spend about 50% of their sleep in active sleep — a light sleep state where you might see them twitch, move their arms, make sucking motions, or even smile. This is completely normal!
In contrast, quiet sleep is a deeper, more restful sleep where babies are still, breathe slowly and are harder to wake.
Often we can think that a newborn is awake, when actually they’re in an active sleep and not awake.
6 ways to Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits for Newborn Babies
1. Start a simple but effective bedtime routine
A bedtime routine doesn’t have to be elaborate, but consistency is key. Creating a routine with simple steps that you can stick to each night is a great way for your newborn baby to start to learn it’s time to sleep.
A simple routine might look like: bath, baby massage, read a book, feed, swaddle and bed.
You want to keep the environment calm and avoid stimulating them.
2. Focus on day and night differentiation
Newborns can often get day and night confusion when they are born. When babies are still inside, they often sleep more during the day when they are being rocked to sleep as we move around and then awake at night when we are more relaxed.
You can help set their internal clock by making daytime and nighttime different. During the day feed in well lit areas, keep the house light even for naps and don’t worry about making noise. Whereas in the nighttime keep the room dark and quiet, use soft voices and keep interaction minimal.
3. Check their sleep environment
Creating a comfortable and safe sleep space can make a big difference to how well your newborn baby settles.
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- Room temperature: the optimal room temperature for a baby is between 16-20˚⁰c.
- Dress baby in layers: dressing babies in layers rather than heavy tog items means you can add or remove a layer if they are too hot or too cold. Sleep sacks and swaddles often have the tog rating and temperature on the label.
- Safe sleep: always place your baby down on their back, on a firm mattress with no loose bedding. Sleep spaces should be kept completely clear.
- Dark: newborn babies sleep best in a completely dark environment. If you need a light keep it dim (red or amber light glows are the best to use). Black out blinds/curtains can be a great investment.
- White noise: white (or another colour) noise can be great in the 4th trimester to help your little one transition to being in the world. However, it can become a sleep aid meaning they need the white noise to help them sleep. If white noise is being used I recommend it is played all night rather than for 20 minutes.
4. Try out le pause
Le pause is the brief moment French parents wait before responding to a baby's cry, allowing the infant to self-soothe and potentially fall back asleep independently.
When your newborn stirs or makes a noise, pause for a moment before responding. As we know newborns spend 50% of their sleep in active sleep - taking a pause before stepping in allows your baby to switch back to a quiet state if they aren't actually awake.
5. Make bedtime feed the biggest
Making your bedtime feed the biggest makes sure that their tummy is full before going into night sleep. One of the best pieces of advice I love to share is to feed a baby before their bedtime routine, as well as at the end. Not only does this ensure they have a full feed, but it also allows time for them to digest the biggest part of the feed before settling down for night sleep.
6. Power nap
When we hear about babies sleeping close to bedtime, we often think ‘danger nap,’ but for a newborn, think ‘power nap.’ Doing this means your baby isn’t overtired going into bedtime and has enough energy to get through the bedtime routine.
At Ducky Zebra, we believe in keeping little ones comfy and cosy, whether they’re wide awake or fast asleep! Our organic cotton baby sleepsuits are designed for snuggly nights and relaxed days, helping your baby feel at ease no matter their sleep habits. Not only are they soft and breathable for sensitive baby skin, but they also have a two-way zip for easy nappy changes.
Every baby is unique, and sleep approaches can vary from family to family. Take the tips that feel right for you, adjust them as needed, and most importantly — trust yourself and your instincts as a parent!
If you have more questions or need additional support with newborn sleep, you can find Vicki at Little Seedlings, where she offers expert guidance tailored to your family’s needs. And if you're looking for soft, breathable newborn baby clothes to support your baby's comfort, check out our playful sleepsuit designs. Because no matter how the night goes, they deserve to wake up happy!
About the Author: Vicki Crawford is a certified infant sleep consultant passionate about helping families get the restful sleep they all deserve. As a mum of two, she understands the challenges of sleep deprivation and is dedicated to providing gentle, effective solutions for better sleep for everyone.
