How to Break a Newborn Baby out of Sleeping Habits
Newborn babies can sleep up to 16 hours per day. (See Reference 1) Typically a baby will take several naps that can range from two to four hours in length. Unfortunately, the sleep habits of your newborn may conflict with your schedule and cause you to be unable to get any rest. If you would like to attempt to change a newborn baby's sleeping habits, there are several steps you can take.
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Instructions
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Determine when you'd like your baby to take his longest "nap". Most (but not all) babies take several small naps and one long nap per day. The longer nap typically lasts four to six hours, and the shorter nap lasts about two to four hours. Knowing when you'd like the baby to take her longest nap (presumably during the night) will help with the next step.
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Establish a routine for your newborn. Newborns need to eat every two hours. By waking your newborn every two hours for feeding, you will not only meet his dietary needs, but you will also encourage him to reserve the long nap for the hours you have determined. Be sure not to wake the baby during her long nap and allow her to miss that feeding. Setting a routine will put your baby in the habit of sleeping through the night and waking during the day.
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Set the mood for sleep and for the hours when the baby is awake. Some babies will only sleep when they are held or in a dark room, while others can sleep alone in their cribs with all the lights on. Learning the sleep preferences of your newborn and setting the mood for sleep will help to break his sleeping habits and create new ones.
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Tips & Warnings
Each baby is different, and these tips may not work on every newborn.
