Fourth Trimester Sleep Suggestions
Your fourth trimester isn’t the time to worry about setting up your new baby’s sleep…
or worry that you’re making bad bed habits (spoiler: there are no bad bed habits at any age).
This is because your baby is born naturally nocturnal (EVERY baby is!) and trying to set up a sleep or nap schedule can feel more frustrating than freewheeling with it.
Sleep can be a little erratic at this age and stage and that’s totally normal, but hearing this doesn’t make it any less tough or tiring for you of course!
my sleep suggestions for your first three months - AKA the fourth trimester:
Try not to worry about making ANY bad bed habits. There’s none at any stage but especially at this age!
Ditto, worrying about getting your new baby to sleep drowsy but awake or by themselves. It’s normal for your baby to need help getting to sleep. This is never a negative anything at any age!
Press pause on nap gaps. Trying to get a naturally nocturnal baby into nap gaps is at best tricky and worse impossible! I generally suggest noticing their nap rhythm and rolling with that for the first few weeks. I don’t suggest starting any nap gaps/wake windows/nap routine until around 8-10 weeks.
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Don’t worry where the naps happen.Contact and carry naps ALL count as sleep and there’s no such thing as junk/less restorative sleep during the day.
It’s always ok to comfort your baby if they cry. Comfort doesn’t depend on the clock.
You can’t spoil your baby by holding them, responding to their cries or giving them what they need. They aren’t made of cheese!
It’s totally NORMAL to need frequent feeds at night and not sleep through the night.
Getting outside, fresh air and natural light during the day (when you’re both ready) is great for you and their circadian rhythm.
Keep the curtains open and your days light and bright.
It’s always ok to meet their needs and make eye contact at night, but try to keep it as calm and dark as possible.
Only change their nappy at night if needed.
