Establishing Healthy Sleeping Habits - The First Month

Developing a healthy sleep foundation is very important during the first year. However, during the first month, your baby needs time to figure out living outside the womb, and you need time to learn your baby’s cues and temperament. Don’t worry about getting everything “just right” or having a reliable schedule.

During your baby’s first month, focus on 2 key areas: feeding habits and your self-care 

Consider the items below as trial runs when appropriate. Don’t stress about sticking to a routine yet–it’s too soon. Infants change rapidly during the first month, there is little time to set “cruise control” before it’s time to “change speeds” again. During the second month, you can work on establishing routines. However, we don’t want to dismiss concerns about sleep during the first month al  

Two Healthy Sleep Habits to Practice the First Month

1. Learn your baby’s sleepy cues - We want you to be aware that as your baby gets older, you will start to see signs—sleepy cues—which is your baby’s signal that they are getting tired. If you’re able to notice those signs, putting your baby to sleep when you notice the earlier signs will be much easier than if you wait too long, and they get over-tried. Do we all miss those signs initially? Absolutely. But do try and get to know your baby's unique cues. Knowing their earlier sleepy cues will be very helpful for the next year or longer.  

Here are some familiar sleepy cues:

• Early Signs Your Baby is Sleepy:

  • blank stare

  • averting gaze

  • redness around the eyes

  • turns head away from you (and any stimulation)

• Signs Your Baby is Getting Very Sleepy:

  • yawning

  • rubs eyes

  • pull ears

  • beginning to get fussy 

• Signs of an Overtired Baby:

  • inconsolable crying

  • rigid body

  • making fists

  • arches back

2. Try To Put Your Baby To Bed While Still Awake And Calm, Which Will Teach Them To Fall Asleep Independently  

Put your baby to bed while they are still awake but calm. They can even be drowsy but still awake. The drowsy state (still awake, but dozing off) will be easier to get them to fall asleep, so this might be the ideal way to start off teaching them to fall asleep independently. 

Try this once or twice a day. It can be anytime you recognize the sleepy signals — day or night. Eventually, you’ll want this to be part of bedtime and nap routines. But for now, keep it simple. 

Always, lay your baby down on their back, in an infant-safe bed with no blankets, pillows, toys, or any other items nearby. Just give your baby a minute awake in their own bed, and allow them to try and fall asleep on their own. Falling asleep without any parental intervention, such as feeding or rocking, will be something that all infants will need to learn. More on this healthy habit to come in our 4 week to 3 month section. Give it a test run for now.