The first days: how to help your baby sleep well

Photo credit: Angie Brette

Get used to the idea: in the first few days, your baby will spend more time in the arms of Morpheus than in yours! Newborns sleep 16 to 20 hours a day!

So you might as well give baby the best conditions right away so they can sleep peacefully!

Tip no. 1: A well-dressed baby is a baby who sleeps well.

A newborn can't regulate their own temperature. So you'll need to make sure you dress them warmly, even in the middle of summer.

Baby generally needs 3 layers to sleep:

Layer no. 1: a cotton bodysuit

Go for “crossover” style bodysuits (or “wrap bodysuits”): they'll save you from handling baby too much during changes. Why cotton? Because synthetic materials can irritate baby's delicate skin.

Layer no. 2: a velour sleepsuit. Choose sleepsuits that open at the front: sleepsuits that open at the back force you to lay baby on their tummy, and they hate that!

- Layer no. 3: a velour baby sleeping bag.

Also called a sleep sack, it keeps baby warm while sleeping. It should be nice and thick and suited to newborns' size (size 0-3 months, 50cm), because if it's too big, baby could get lost inside it, which could be very dangerous. A little tip: take a look at the zip of your future baby sleeping bag before buying it and make sure it lets you open the sleeping bag out flat, like an open book. It may not seem like much, but this little detail will make your life much easier!

In very hot weather, the maternity unit's medical staff may suggest removing one of the three layers.

Tip no. 2: Lay baby on their back.

For your baby's safety, put them to sleep on their back. Medical professionals strongly advise against letting baby sleep on their tummy. Numerous studies have shown that the risk of sudden infant death syndrome is higher when babies sleep on their tummy.

Tip no. 3: Leave nothing in their crib.

Here too, for your baby's safety, leave nothing in their crib to avoid any risk of suffocation: no blanket and no pillow.

And what about the comforter? It’s a no-go at night, as it could interfere with your baby’s breathing. Under your supervision, you can let them have a comforter during the day: they’ll love holding it in their hands.

Tip no. 4: Thumb or pacifier? Let baby choose.

Sucking brings baby real comfort. Some babies will naturally find their thumb, while others will meet this physiological need with a pacifier.

Both methods have their pros and cons. So you might as well let baby choose.
Since you can’t predict which your baby will prefer, take one or two pacifiers suitable for newborns (size 0-3 months) to the maternity ward.

The Thumb vs Pacifier showdown:

Pros of the thumb: it is always available and baby can find it on their own. It doesn’t stop baby from expressing themselves
Cons of the thumb: sucking beyond the age of 2 can contribute to deforming the palate and cause misaligned teeth. It’s hard to stop baby from sucking it.

Pros of the pacifier: it is less harmful to the palate than the thumb. It is easier to give up than the thumb.
Cons of the pacifier: it is less hygienic than the thumb and can stop baby from expressing themselves. It is harder to find at night than the thumb. Parents also far too often tend to give it to baby as soon as they cry, which can have negative consequences on baby’s development.

Help! Nothing's ready!

If you haven’t bought anything for baby’s sleep yet, don’t panic! You’ll find everything you need for baby’s first nights in our lovely My First Sleeps Pack, which you can put together in the colours of your choice. Inside, you’ll find a velour baby sleeping bag in organic cotton suitable for newborns, two pacifiers and a pacifier clip, a comforter and a pretty cloud-shaped night light.

For clothes, take a look at our made-to-measure My First Outfits Pack too. You’ll find a wide choice of organic cotton bodysuits, sleepsuits and going-home outfits suitable for newborns.

And once you're home, where should baby sleep?

Everyone in their own bed! Letting baby sleep in the parents' bed is dangerous. When you get home from the maternity unit, put baby to sleep in their own bed, ideally placed in your bedroom. As far as possible, avoid the cot for the first few weeks. Go for a crib or a Moses basket, which are better suited to their size: baby will love the feeling of the sides around them, which remind them of being in mum's tummy. For your baby's safety, check before buying that the sleeping solution meets the European standards in force: EN 1466 for Moses baskets, EN 1130 for cribs and EN 716 for cots.

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.