Kiddipedia
Bringing home a new baby for the first time is an exciting time for any family but whether it is your first baby or not, there is no question that the new arrival is going to mix things up when it comes to your routine both during the day and at night. This upheaval can unsettle even the most experienced of parents and the exhaustion that comes with this stage of life can be difficult to navigate.
To help this stage be as smooth as possible here are some tips to managing and planning a routine for a newborn baby.
1) A NEWBORN’S NEED FOR SLEEP
All babies are different and their sleep needs will vary. However, most newborn babies sleep for between 14-17 hours each day. Each period of sleep can last between 40 mins and 2 – 3 hrs depending on the time of day and how well they have fed. Babies who are smaller will likely wake with hunger more often as their tummies are smaller and so will eat less in each feed. Newborn babies’ sleep cycles are 40 minutes in length and some babies will need resettling after each cycle.
2) FEED/ PLAY/ SLEEP ROUTINE
This is the most common routine recommended for babies. The idea is that as soon as your little one wakes up from a nap, they are fed. The rationale for this is based on the very small amount of time that babies are able to be awake for. This period of time is known as an “awake window”. Newborn babies (up to 8 weeks) may be able to stay awake for a period of time that ranges from approximately 45 minutes to 1.5hrs and this will lengthen as they grow. The priority at that time is to ensure that they have eaten and then whatever time is left is an opportunity to take your baby out for some fresh air, allow them to “play”, sing to them or spend time with visitors.
3) LEARNING YOUR BABIES’ TIRED SIGNS
As all babies are individuals, they will each communicate differently as to when they need their needs met. These needs may be hunger, tiredness, whether they are too hot or cold and when they are in pain. When babies are tired, there are often early signs that they are becoming tired and their “awake window” is coming to an end long before they become upset, yawning or rubbing their eyes. Some common tired signs for young babies include:
- Wanting to be held
- Sucking on fingers
- Clenching fists
- Pulling ears
- Arching back or jerking limbs
- Looking away from you
- Staring into space
If you are noticing these signs, it is a signal to get your baby ready for their next sleep.
4) SETTING UP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAY AND NIGHT
When a baby is born, its internal body clock is undeveloped and has no awareness of the difference between day and night. It can be helpful to help start to develop this awareness from the earliest days. The simplest way to do this is to decide what defines “morning” for you and what defines “bedtime.” Any time a baby wakes up between “bedtime” and “morning time” should be treated as a night feed. Keep the environment darker, calmer and with less stimulation. In the same vein, the first feed of the “morning” should be met with a “good morning”, think about getting your baby dressed for the day and allow some light into the environment. Finally, the final awake window prior to bedtime should be spent in a way that is preparing for night time. This may include a bath, baby massage, soft music or even reading stories on a rocking chair.
5) DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUR FAMILY
As your family adjusts to your new person, extended family and friends may also place demands on your time wanting to visit or chat or to meet your baby. In the early days, remember it is ok to set your own foundations and have some ground rules to allow your routine to gently fall into place. Don’t feel pressure to wake your baby so that visitors can see them or to go out into crowds before you are ready. In the very early days, no two days are the same and sometimes not even two “eat, play, sleep cycles” are the same. Be reassured that this is entirely normal. Stay open to adapting and changing plans last minute – the routine at this stage should be based on getting to know your baby and working out what is best for them rather than specific times and activities.
These tips are a base to guide you with some knowledge in these early days and weeks with your little one. Enjoy getting to know them and having them in your world – it goes very fast so enjoy it! Congratulations!!
By Ariella Lew Bsc (Paediatric Nursing)
Ariella Lew is a highly qualified paediatric nurse and the Founder and Director of Kids on Track Consultancy, a private practice based in Melbourne. Ariella consults both locally and overseas, providing expert advice and management strategies for families requiring support with their child’s behaviour, and development. Ariella works with clients aged 0-18. Ariella is a parenting expert and has experience advising on all aspects of parenting including toilet training, discipline methods and family dynamic struggles. Ariella has specialisations in disability, neurodiversity and chronic illness and works with schools and allied health professionals to ensure behaviour plans and goals are personalised and appropriate. Ariella has significant experience working with families to help them gain access to the NDIS and leads a team of passionate support coordinators and advocates who work with families to get the most out of their NDIS plan.
