Your Baby's Sleeping Patterns (Don't Worry, They'll Change!)
Newborns up to 3 months old generally sleep for most of the day, somewhere between 16 and 20 hours. The sleep periods are divided evenly between night and day (sorry!). The longest time they usually sleep at stretch is about 4 or 5 hours, and then they will wake up because they are hungry. If your child is able to sleep through the hunger, make sure that you offer extra feedings when he is awake to make up for it.
When your child wakes in the night and it's not time for his feeding, make sure to wait a few minutes before you go to him. He may be able to go back to sleep by himself, so let him try. If he does not go back to sleep within a few minutes, go ahead and see what he needs, but do it quickly and quietly. Do not play with him or talk to him unnecessarily. Have a low-wattage light to use for nighttime feedings and diaper changes. He should learn right from the start that nighttime is for sleeping.
Establish a nighttime routine as early as possible. Plan nightly activities that allow your kid wind-down time. A bath, book and a lullaby work well, or whatever fits your lifestyle. Place him in his crib when he is drowsy, but not yet asleep so he learns to fall asleep on his own. Never allow your baby to go to sleep with a bottle. This may get him to go to sleep, but it can also cause baby bottle tooth decay.
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