newborn sleeping

When you're being kept awake at night, it might seem to make sense to try to keep your baby awake as much as possible during the day, so that he'll need to sleep more at night, but a well rested baby will sleep better through the night. So allow your newborn to sleep regularly through the day.

Learn to read your babys signals. At first it might be difficult to tell whether your baby is crying because he is hungry, bored or tired, but if your baby is pulling at his ears, or rubbing at his eye, then he's probably tired. if you can, then try putting him down to sleep in his bed as you first notice signs of tiredness so that he doesn't become over-tired and find it harder to sleep.

Mid-feed nappy changes - Sucking is a tiring job and many newborns will fall asleep directly after a feed, often falling to sleep on the breast. Change your babies nappy in the middle of the feed then your baby can sleep once he is feed.

Using a baby carrier or sling - Baby carriers are great for being able to give your baby the reassurance of your closeness while leaving you able to get
things done.

Going for a walk in the pram - A daily walk in the fresh air will do your newborn the world of good and the motion can help send baby to sleep.

Giving him lots of fresh air - Lots of fresh air will help your newborn sleep better, both day and night, so do take him out and about as
much as possible.

Avoiding day-time quiet - New babies are used to plenty of noise in the womb so there's no need to tip-toe around them during the day to get them to sleep.
In the long run it is best they learn to sleep through the usual household noises.

Once your baby is six weeks to two months old you'll be able to do more to help him learn the difference between night and day and settle into a night-time
routine with longer stretches of sleep at night.