Newborns sleep a lot but often wake frequently due to their underdeveloped circadian rhythms. Understanding baby sleep cycles can help parents set realistic expectations and develop gentle sleep routines that promote longer rest periods.
Creating a consistent bedtime routine with dim lights, soft music, and swaddling can signal sleep time. Using a white noise machine and keeping nighttime feedings quiet and calm helps encourage better rest. Over time, babies develop more predictable sleep patterns.
During the first few months, babies experience active (REM) sleep, which leads to frequent wake-ups. As they grow, they begin to have longer stretches of deep sleep. Encouraging self-soothing techniques, such as placing the baby down drowsy but awake, can help build good sleep habits.
Tracking sleep patterns in a journal or using a baby sleep tracker app can help identify trends and make adjustments to nap and bedtime schedules. Parents should also be flexible, as sleep regressions and changes are normal in the first year.
