How to set up a safe sleep environment for your newborn
By Livia Gamble
Bringing a newborn home for the first time is exciting but also a tiny bit terrifying.
For parents keen to understand what those first few weeks will be like, we’ve got some good news for you: newborns spend their days eating, pooping and, of course, sleeping – making it really important to set up a safe sleep environment.
Not sure where to begin on getting their sleep set-up right? Here are some safe sleep facts to get you started. We’ve also thrown in some information about newborn sleep patterns that will hopefully quell any doubts you might be having.
Newborn sleep patterns
Newborns spend a lot of time asleep, but parents need to remember that all babies are different. So what might be the norm for one baby, could be totally different for another. Just put your blinkers on and focus on the precious gem in front of you.
Here’s what you might expect from your newborn baby’s sleep pattern.
- The amount of sleep varies, but newborns usually sleep about 16 hours every 24 hours in short bursts, with feeding and changing in between.
- Newborns have two sleep cycles – active sleep and quiet sleep – and it takes around 40 minutes to move through both cycles. At the end of the cycle, your baby might wake up for a little while and need help settling into the next cycle.
- There’s no such thing as night and day for a newborn yet. But don’t worry, exposing your baby to light and playing during the day can help them adjust. At around three months, your baby should start sleeping for longer stretches through the night.
- It’s common for babies to need night feeds to help them settle.
Now that you have some idea of what to expect, it’s time to set up a safe sleeping environment.
Setting up a safe sleep environment for newborns
1. Newborns sleep on their backs
When setting up a safe sleep routine, newborns should be put to sleep on their backs – not their side or tummy.
Red Nose says: “Research has found that sleeping your baby on their back greatly reduces the risk of sudden and unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), which includes SIDS.
“This is because healthy babies placed on their back to sleep are less likely to choke on vomit than tummy sleeping infants.”
For more information on safe sleeping, visit Red Nose.
2. Avoid bed-sharing
As tempting as it might be to drift off together in the comfort of your bed, it’s recommended that babies have their own space to sleep.
A great alternative is room-sharing where the baby sleeps in a cot next to your bed – something the Raising Children Network recommends for the first 6-12 months.
That said, where your baby sleeps is a personal choice. For parents wanting to use a nursery, a baby monitor can help you keep an eye on your newborn while they sleep, giving you extra peace of mind.
Read reviews for baby monitors. Shop baby monitors.
3. Not too hot, not too cold – just right
Dressing your newborn appropriately for bed is key to making sure they don’t get too hot or too cold during the night. Think about how you would dress in the given temperature, and go from there.
As newborns regulate their temperature through their face, it’s essential to keep their head uncovered. Don’t worry if their hands and feet are cold – that’s normal. You can gauge your baby’s actual temperature by feeling their back or tummy.
Swaddling is a good bedtime option for newborns; it helps with settling and keeps them in the safe sleep position on their back. Choose lightweight cotton or muslin wraps and stop swaddling once your baby can roll over (around four months). If you’ve never swaddled a baby before, here’s how to do it safely.
Read reviews for swaddles, sleeping bags and wraps. Shop sleepwear.
4. Use a cot that meets Australian and New Zealand Standards
Whether you’re buying it new or second hand, a cot must meet the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for Cots.
Avoid cot bumpers, pillows, doonas, soft toys, and sheepskin or lamb’s wool. And make sure the mattress is firm fitting, and there aren’t any gaps between the mattress edge and the cot.
For more information on what makes a safe cot, visit Red Nose.
Read reviews for cots. Shop cots.
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