Newborn Sleep Tips

• Try different tips to help your newborn sleep. Monkey Business Images Ltd/Valueline/Getty Images

  You can probably say good-bye to a good night's sleep, at least for a few months, once you have a newborn. It is completely normal and necessary for a newborn to wake up every few hours for feedings. The good news is the rough sleep pattern usually only lasts from four to six months according to WebMD. You can try different tips to get your newborn to sleep.

Day and Night Lights

• It is important to make sure things are bright during the day and dim at night so you can begin regulating your newborn's internal clock. That means even when your baby is napping during the day, keep the curtains open and avoid blocking out light. At night, dim the lights even if your newborn is not asleep.

Day and Night Activities

• Keep things active and stimulating for your baby during the day. Play with her a lot and don't worry about any noise stimulation such as TVs around her. You should make eye contact during the day not only to keep your baby awake, but also to boost brain development and bonding. Avoid talking, singing or making eye contact with your newborn during late night feedings. An article in Parents magazine likens eye contact late at night to him drinking a double latte. When you make eye contact with your baby, their heart rate and blood pressure rise and they become more awake.

Limit Your Caffeine

• It is important to limit your caffeine intake if you are breast feeding. Caffeine can flow through to your breast milk. According to one article in Parents magazine, if your breast milk contains caffeine, it stays with your newborn for 96 hours.

Sleeping

• Swaddle your baby in a blanket when you are trying to get him to go to sleep. Swaddling mimics the feeling of the baby in the womb and helps them to feel safe and secure. Put your newborn's crib in your room, near your bed and bring them into bed for feeding. This helps you go back to sleep after feeding.

Angle the Mattress

• Angle the crib mattress if your newborn spits up a lot or has reflux. Keep your baby's feet lower than their head when you angle the mattress so his food stays put. Change the support platform on one side of the crib if your model allows you to; otherwise put blankets and pillows under one side of the mattress. Make sure the mattress is just at a slight incline, not so tilted that your baby slides down. Check with your pediatrician to make sure this is okay for your infant.

Use a Swing

• Put your newborn in a swing. The swing imitates the same feeling as the mom's movements when the baby was in the womb. These movements will often lull an infant to sleep. Put the swing on whatever speed comforts and soothes your newborn. You can also put your baby in a sling and walk around to mimic the womb.

Nighttime Routine

• Establish a nighttime routine as early as possible. Put her to bed while she is drowsy, but still awake. This will help her learn to soothe herself and fall asleep on her own. You don't have to wake your baby up if she falls asleep while feeding in order to keep the routine. You can also start a routine, such as giving your baby a bath before bed, to establish a routine.