Calgary Baby Guide 2022-2023

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Weeks 4-6 The maternal melatonin that was present for the first three weeks of a newborn’s life has worn off and babes are becoming more alert. It is common to see crying peak at 6 weeks. Babes are able to now stay awake for 60-90 minutes at a time and are starting to distinguish between day and night. If you can, try to pay attention to awake windows and offer sleep every 60-90 minutes (60 minutes for 4 week olds, increasing to 90 minutes by the time they are 6 weeks old). This will prevent babies from getting into overtired states from which it can be difficult to achieve sleep. As newborns start to sleep more at night and less during the day we can expect a total daytime sleep of 4-5 hours, divided into several naps, and total night time sleep of 11-12 hours (with feedings). We also begin to see the baby sleep cycle emerge. Babies’ sleep cycles are 45-50 minute long. They are in a light, or active, sleep for the first half of their sleep cycle (approximately 20 minutes) making it common to see them wake within the first 20 minutes of sleep due to their own movements, or happenings in their environment. The second half of their sleep cycle they are in a deep or quiet sleep; their faces are restful, their limbs are floppy and they don’t wake as easily. Swaddling in the newborn period is a great tool to use because it creates a sensation of physical security and prevents babes from being distracted by their own uncoordinated limb movements. White noise is another great tool for newborn sleep (and beyond) because it replicates the “whooshing” sound newborns heard constantly in the womb and it blocks out environmental sounds which may awaken the babe when they are in a lighter stage of sleep. If you notice it’s been 90 minutes or so since your baby’s last period of sleep see if they need some help settling off to sleep and begin to set the scene. Feeding, cuddling, bouncing, rocking are all great ways to encourage newborn sleep as they may not always fall asleep on their own accord. 10 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2022/2023 Edition
Weeks 7-12 Babes are able to stay awake for 90 minutes at a time now with a daytime sleep need of 4 hours, split into several naps, and a night time sleep need of 11-12 hours (with feedings). At this age a baby’s body is producing its own melatonin (the sleep hormone) and a dark environment begins to play a key part in sleep. Melatonin is produced in response to a dark environment and its production is blocked by light. Therefore the cue of a dark environment can be helpful for naps and bedtime. This is a great time to introduce a gentle routine: consistent times for sleep, feeds, and a bedtime routine. If independent sleep is something you feel like working toward, you can also practice putting your baby down awake to sleep. When you notice your baby is becoming drowsy or is due for a nap or bedtime, put them down to sleep from an awake or drowsy state and allow them to fall asleep on their own with you by their side. If your newborn is colicky or dealing with reflux, they may still require your help to fall asleep until their colic subsides (typically around 12 weeks) or reflux improves. These babes often need a lot of hands on support and settling to fall asleep so give them whatever they need! Remember, it is normal for different babies to require different amounts of assistance to fall asleep. Try your best to not to compare your baby to others. Normal sleep for your baby might look like: • contact naps (i.e. baby being held for naps) • motion sleep (cars and strollers for example) • independent sleep from the get-go • sleeping in short spurts • long stretches of sleep The journey to independent settling can happen at any time, typically 4 months of age and onwards depending on the baby and family. Having a baby that can independently settle may be a goal for some families and not important to others. Healthy sleep can be fostered in either setting so let’s build and maintain supportive parenting communities where all sleep is good sleep! Warmly, Sara Davis, BscN, Cert. Infant & Child Sleep Consultant sara.davis@cheerfulmornings.ca www.cheerfulmornings.ca www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2022/2023 Edition • 11
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