Parenthood can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it sure does come with some challenges! One of the more common problems new parents face is a baby’s difficulty distinguishing between day and night. This can often result in sleepless nights for parents while they struggle to get their little ones on track.
If you’re feeling exhausted and frustrated from Daddy duty because your newborn is constantly throwing your routine off balance, we have good news for you: Some steps can help turn those days into nights! In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes behind this issue and provide practical tips on how to fix a newborns days and nights.
So grab yourself a cup of coffee (or an energy drink), sit back, relax, and let us take care of everything else!
What Will You Need?
- A patient and understanding mindset. Remember, newborns are still adjusting to this big world!
- Time and consistency to establish a routine. It may take time for your baby to adjust, so be patient and consistent with implementing the tips mentioned below.
- Swaddling blankets or sleep sacks. These will come in handy during nap times and bedtime.
- Low lighting at night. This will help your baby learn the difference between day and night.
- A white noise machine or app. This creates a soothing environment for your newborn to sleep in.
Once you have all of these items ready, it’s time to start working on fixing your newborn’s days and nights!
10 Easy Steps on How to Fix a Newborns Days and Nights
Step 1. Establish a Routine:
Start by establishing a daily routine for your newborn. Newborns thrive on predictability; a structured daily routine can help regulate your baby’s internal clock. Feed them, change them, play with them, and put them to sleep at the same time each day. Remember, consistency is key here. It might take some time, but your persistence will eventually pay off.
Step 2. Create Clear Day and Night Environments:
During the day, keep the house well-lit and engage with your baby through playtime, eye contact, and conversation. This activity and light exposure help reinforce the idea that daytime is for being awake and active. Contrastingly, at nighttime, dim the lights and limit the stimulation.
Lower your voice, keep the environment calm and quiet, and try to limit loud noises. This will help convey to your baby that nighttime is for sleeping. These clear distinctions between day and night environments can be a powerful signal in resetting your newborn’s sleep schedule.
Step 3. Use Swaddling Techniques:
Swaddling can be incredibly effective in helping newborns sleep during the night. This technique mimics the warmth and security of the womb, which can be comforting for your little one. Wrap your baby snugly in a swaddle or a sleep sack for naps and bedtime. This can signal to them that it’s time to rest and sleep. Remember always to place your swaddled baby on their back to sleep, and ensure the swaddle is not too tight to inhibit breathing or cause overheating.
Step 4. Introduce a Bedtime Ritual:
Bedtime rituals can be a great way to signal to your newborn that it’s time to sleep. This can include bathing, reading a story, singing a lullaby, or giving a gentle massage. Perform these rituals in a calm, soothing setting with dim lights and soft sounds. Over time, these actions will become associated with going to sleep, helping your baby to wind down and prepare for a restful night.
Step 5. Limit Nighttime Interactions:
When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, try to keep your interactions to a minimum. Speak softly, keep the lights dim, and avoid engaging in play. This will help your baby understand that nighttime is not the time for activity. Additionally, if your baby needs a diaper change or feeding at night, do so as quickly and quietly as possible. This way, your newborn will be less likely get confused between day and night.
Step 6. Utilize White Noise:
White noise machines or apps can be a game-changer in promoting sleep.
The consistent white noise can mimic the noises your newborn hears in the womb, creating a familiar and soothing environment that encourages sleep. This can help your baby associate the sound with bedtime, and the consistent noise can also mask other household sounds that might wake your baby. Introduce white noise during your baby’s bedtime routine and keep it on throughout the night.
Step 7. Encourage Daytime Feeds:
Feeding your baby more often during the day can help them differentiate day from night. Offering frequent feeds during the day ensures that your baby’s longest stretch of sleep aligns with nighttime. Be sure to wake your baby to feed if they sleep for long stretches during the day. This way, the baby will have less need to wake for feedings during the night, encouraging them to sleep for more extended periods.
Step 8. Keep Your Baby Active During the Day:
Make sure to keep your baby engaged and active during daytime hours. Play with your newborn, introduce various toys, or even take them outside if the weather permits.
These activities will help them expend energy during the day and encourage them to sleep for longer periods during the night. However, be sure the activities are age-appropriate and not overly stimulating, as it could lead to over-tiredness and make it difficult for your baby to wind down when it’s time to sleep.
Step 9. Practice Patience:
It is crucial to remember that adjusting a newborn’s sleep pattern doesn’t happen overnight. There may be many nights of interrupted sleep and days where your baby seems to have their days and nights reversed despite your best efforts. It’s essential to be patient and consistent. Keep practicing these steps, and eventually, your newborn will start to understand the concept of day and night. Feel free to seek advice from healthcare professionals if you’re struggling or concerned about your baby’s sleep patterns.
Step 10. Consult a Healthcare Professional:
If, despite your efforts, your newborn continues to be confused day and night, it may be time to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance based on their expertise and your newborn’s needs. Remember, every baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for all.
A healthcare professional can offer personalized advice and strategies to help regulate your newborn’s sleep schedule effectively. They can also rule out any underlying issues affecting your newborn’s sleep patterns. Seeking professional advice can be an essential step in fixing your newborn’s days and nights.
By the end of this process, your newborn will hopefully have their days and nights aligned, allowing for more restful nights for both you and your little one.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
Tip 1. Understand Your Newborn’s Sleep Cycles:
Unlike adults, newborns have a different sleep cycle, falling directly into REM sleep, a lighter sleep stage. This means they wake up more often. Understanding this can help you adjust your expectations and react more calmly when your baby wakes up at night.
Tip 2. Turn the light off:
When feeding or changing your baby at night, try to do so in the dark or with a low-light nightlight. This helps maintain the distinction between day and night for your newborn.
Tip 3. Try a Dream Feed:
A dream feed refers to a calm, quiet late-night feed. You gently rouse your baby without fully waking them to feed. This can help your baby sleep longer stretches at night and get more nutrition during the day.
Tip 4. Avoid Eye Contact During Night Feeds:
While it might seem counterintuitive, avoid eye contact during night feeds. Babies are easily stimulated. By avoiding eye contact, you’re signaling to them that it’s time to sleep, not play.
Tip 5. Be Consistent:
Consistency is vital when it comes to creating a sleep schedule. Make sure you’re consistent with your daytime and nighttime routines. This will help your baby understand what is expected and adjust their internal body clock accordingly.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to fixing your newborn’s days and nights.
5 Things You Should Avoid
Thing 1. Overscheduling:
Avoid planning too many activities for your newborn during the day. Overstimulation can lead to overtiredness, making it harder for your baby to settle and sleep at night.
Thing 2. Skipping Naps:
Never skip your baby’s daytime naps to make them sleep longer at night. This can result in an overtired baby with difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Thing 3. Rushing to Respond:
Avoid rushing to your newborn at every slight sound during the night. Sometimes, babies make noises in their sleep. Give them a little time to self-soothe and go back to sleep alone.
Thing 4. Inconsistent Routine:
Avoid inconsistencies in your baby’s sleep routine. Consistency in bedtime routines is critical to helping your newborn differentiate between day and night.
Thing 5. Ignoring Signs of Sleep Readiness:
Never ignore your baby’s sleep cues. If your baby is showing signs of tiredness, don’t delay bedtime. Doing so can make it harder for them to fall asleep and may disrupt their sleep cycle.
By following these additional tips and avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to fixing your newborn’s days and nights.
Conclusion
As a parent, trying every possible solution you can find online and anywhere else can be tempting, but ultimately, the best approach is to start simple and observe your newborn’s habits. Listen carefully for hints that they are exhausted or overstimulated, as these will be your best guides for when to intervene.
With skill, patience, and a few tools along the way, you’ll soon find yourself with a baby who is sleeping both day and night like clockwork! So if you’re having trouble finding out how to fix a newborns days and nights – don’t worry!
Believe in yourself and know that many resources can help you get to an even keel. You may not have all the answers right now – but trust me, it will eventually make sense. Hang in there, and good luck!
