How to Put a Newborn Baby to Sleep

Newborn babies all have different sleep patterns. Some newborn babies sleep easily and often. Other newborn babies have difficulty settling and do not sleep as well.
Whether you have a newborn baby that sleeps well or has trouble, many of the techniques for settling a newborn baby and helping her to sleep are similar. Consistency is a key factor in helping your newborn baby get the sleep she needs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newborn baby
• Crib or bassinet
• Receiving blanket
• Pacifier (optional)
• White noise (optional)
• Baby monitor (optional)

1. Watch your newborn carefully for signs that she needs to sleep. Most newborns will not stay awake for periods longer than 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a stretch. When you begin to see signs that your newborn is tired, prepare to put her to sleep.
   Signs of tiredness include rubbing eyes, refusing eye contact, yawning, fussing and erratic arm and leg movements.

2. Change the baby's diaper and make sure her clothing is dry and comfortable.

3. Swaddle the baby, if desired. Some newborns sleep better and are more comfortable if they are swaddled to sleep. Swaddling is tightly wrapping a baby in a receiving blanket (or special swaddling blanket) before putting her in bed to sleep.
   To swaddle a baby, lay a large receiving blanket on a surface (an adult bed works well). Fold down one corner of the blanket slightly. Place the baby so that the baby's head is at the folded corner. Hold the baby's arms and take one of the side corners and tightly wrap it over and around the baby, tucking it in under the other side of the baby. Bring up the bottom corner to tuck the baby's feet in. Now pull the remaining corner over and around the baby and tuck it in under the baby.

4. Place the baby into her crib or bassinet while she is still awake, but drowsy. If the baby likes a pacifier, place the pacifier in the baby's mouth.
   The AAP recommends that newborns be placed onto their backs for sleeping to reduce the risks of SIDS.

5. Turn on a white noise machine. Many babies sleep better with some background white noise. Many alarm clocks have a white noise function. You could also purchase a white noise machine. Even a box fan could be used as a source of white noise.

6. Make sure that the temperature in the baby's sleeping room is between 65 and 70 degrees.

7. Turn on a baby monitor if you will be in another part of the house that is so far that you will not hear the baby.

Tips & Warnings

• Some babies prefer being swaddled for sleeping and some babies do not. Never use a swaddle on a baby that does not like it. They will let you know if they like being swaddled.

Resources

• Safe Sleep Recommendations

[patmcaudel]

on 11/4/2009 good clues, wish i had them 30 years ago! great article on putting your new born down to sleep