October 3, 2025

Newborn Sleep, But Make It.... Doable.

Every Monday I do a Q&A, and this past Monday was no different. Every now and then I get a goodie question and when someone asks me about newborns–I get excited:
So then they replied with this.
And…well…fair. If my voice is now paired in your brain with “the most tired you’ve ever been,” consider this your quiet-reading version. Here’s the best of that episode—cliff notes you can forward to a brand-new mum. Full listen here: HOT FIRE Newborn Episode with Marlie
Newborn Sleep, But Make It Doable
1) Schedules vs rhythms
  • Skip the clock. Newborns aren’t 9:00-on-the-dot creatures. Follow wake windows instead.
    • 0–4 wks: ~45–60 mins
    • 4–10 wks: ~60–90 mins
    • 10–16 wks: ~75–120 mins
  • Watch sleepy cues (zoned-out stare, red brows, slower movement) and start wind-down before the overtired cry.
2) Day vs night (circadian basics)
  • Day: lots of natural light, normal household noise, feeds, interaction.
  • Night: keep it boring—dim lights, minimal chat, back to bed after feeds. Consistency here teaches their little body what’s what.
3) “Bad habits” aren’t a thing (yet)
  • In the newborn stage, you get approximately 7,000 “get-out-of-jail-free” cards. Do what works.
  • Amanda’s rule: A problem is only a problem if it’s a problem for you. If you enjoy feeding to sleep, contact naps, or that 5 a.m. chest snooze and everyone’s happy—carry on.
4) A gentle experiment: put down happy-awake
Once per day, when baby is fed, burped, comfy, and content, try laying them down before they’re drowsy. If it bombs, scoop back up and assist. Try again tomorrow. This builds the “I can do this” file in their little brain without pressure.
5) Pacifiers: the honest take
  • Great tool for soothing now.
  • Later (4+ months) some babies wake fully to replace it, which can fragment naps/nights. Not a universal truth—just keep an eye. Easy to phase out when you’re ready.
6) Naps & “Do I wake them?”
  • Aim for 1 longer nap (up to ~3 hours) and cap other naps at 1–2 hours if days are getting too snooze-heavy and nights go sideways.
  • If weight gain/feeding has been a concern, follow your clinician’s guidance on waking to feed—especially in the early weeks.
7) Night stretches (are they okay?)
Yes, if your provider says baby doesn’t need overnight wake-to-feed. Celebrate the unicorn nights. Don’t panic when they vanish the next day. Newborns are a new baby every 24 hours.
8) Co-sleeping, chest naps & the 5 a.m. cuddle
If that early-morning snuggle buys everyone two golden hours and you love it, keep it. Reassess only if it starts breaking the rest of your night.
9) Room-sharing vs nursery
  • Guidelines often suggest room-sharing for longer; lots of families transition earlier.
  • If you move baby, do a few daytime crib naps first so you trust the set-up. Monitors can amplify every grunt; tiny Toronto houses carry sound just fine—do what lowers anxiety and keeps everyone safe and rested.
10) Temperament matters
Some babies are chill; some are spicy 🌶️. Don’t label it permanent. At this age, things change constantly. What’s tough at 8 weeks can be breezy at 12.
The Newborn Starter Routine (0–12 weeks)
  • Feed on demand (watch baby, not the clock).
  • Wake window guardrails (see above).
  • Wind-down in 5–10 mins: swaddle (per current safety guidance), darken space, white noise, cuddle, bed.
  • One daily “happy-awake” lay-down practice.
  • Daylight in the mornings/afternoons; dark + dull at night.
  • Movement naps (pram/carrier) are allowed—mix ‘em with one “at-home” nap when you can.
  • Your sanity counts. If you’re unravelling, the “right” plan is the one that helps you sleep.
From 12 weeks onward (not sleep training—just shaping)
  • Start a predictable evening flow (feed → bath/wipe-down → PJs/sleep sack → short book/song → bed).
  • Edge feeds a touch earlier in the routine so baby isn’t always finishing asleep on the breast/bottle.
  • Keep practising the happy-awake lay-down at least once daily.
  • If you choose formal responsive sleep training (after ~4 months), expect protest/crying because the rules change—that’s normal. You never have to abandon your baby; we can stay responsive and consistent.
Quick FAQ
“Will I ruin everything if I feed/rock to sleep now?” No. Newborns aren’t forming lifelong habits—they’re surviving and growing. You can gently shape later.
“My newborn naps 30 minutes. Broken?” Nope. “Crap naps” are common up to ~6 months. March on to the next wake window.
“Is a long day nap stealing my night?” Sometimes. If nights are rough, try capping some day naps (keep one long, cap others at 1–2 hrs).
“Pacifier—yes or no?” Yes if it helps now; reassess at 4+ months if you’re seeing constant re-plugs.
Hot links & help
Take what serves you, leave the rest, and remember: it’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering for your next tiny stretch of uninterrupted sleep.

Whether you’re at the beginning stages of sleep training with your baby or you just want to improve your mental health as a parent, the sleep consultants at Baby’s Best Sleep are here to help.

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