Type “Is it ok if my newborn isn’t napping during the day?” into Google and you will get over a million results. This is a pretty clear sign that a lot of people are worrying about the amount of sleep their tiny baby is getting. And that’s completely normal.
Being a new parent can be pretty overwhelming. Add to that the fact that people will often ask “Is she sleeping well?” and the pressure is on. Enter Google.
But before we jump to conclusions about your 4 week old being a terrible sleeper, let’s dive into the facts and lay out some tips.
How much sleep your newborn needs
Your baby needs between 14 and 20 hours of sleep in the first few months of their life. But, as you’ll have noticed, this doesn’t tend to happen all in one go. Mainly due to the tiny capacity of their stomach. Babies simply can’t hold onto enough milk to get them through 16 hours. That’s why they tend to settle into an Eat, Play, Sleep routine.
Your baby needs this sleep for them to grow, and for them to consolidate the learning going on during the day. You can read more about the importance of sleep for your baby in my guide to sleep regressions.
Why your newborn isn’t napping during the day
The thing is, babies haven’t read any of the sleep manuals. They don’t know how long they’re meant to sleep for, and they rely on us to help them.
There are many reasons why your newborn might be finding it hard to nap:
- Wind or colic
- Hunger (perhaps a growth spurt)
- Overstimulation
- Understimualtion
- A change in routine or environment
- A bird sneezed 3 blocks away…
Seriously, sometimes there is no actual reason.
How to help your newborn nap during the day
Fortunately, even when dealing with the weirdest reasons, here are some things that can help:
Look out for sleep cues
Getting to know your baby is a full-time job in the early weeks. Spend some time watching your baby and working out what they do when they’re getting sleepy. Noticing those sleep cues and acting swiftly can make the difference between an easy-to-settle baby, and total nap refusal.
Here are some sleep cues:
- Yawning
- Eye rubbing
- Making fists
- Jerky movements
- Pulling “grimace” faces plus red eyebrows
- Fussing
- Waving their limbs around
Have a routine
Once you’ve noticed these sleep cues, it’s time for you to give your baby some cues. Have a mini-routine for nap times. This doesn’t need to be as involved as your bedtime routine, but just a few familiar pointers can help your baby feel comfortable.
You might simply have a cuddle and a feed in a comfy chair, before putting your baby down drowsy. Or you could sing a favourite song or read a story. These little touchpoints can help your baby learn when it’s time to nap.
Be flexible
Some days your baby won’t nap. There might be an obvious reason, like an illness, or something smaller like room temperature or wind. On these occasions, it’s best to be kind to yourself. Go for a walk, or put on some soothing music. Reset and try again in 30 minutes. Getting more and more stressed in a darkened room isn’t good for anyone.
Reach out for support
If you’re struggling with your newborn’s sleep then I have some great resources to help you. You can access my online courses, or contact me for more one-to-one support. I love helping families overcome their sleep struggles, leaving them well-rested and more confident.
