Expert Shares Strategies for Helping Newborns Sleep Better

New parents often face challenges when it comes to ensuring their newborns get adequate sleep. Fortunately, sleep expert Erin Junker, an infant and toddler sleep consultant with The Happy Sleep Company, emphasizes that there are effective strategies available to help families establish a healthy sleep routine from day one. During an interview on CTV Your Morning Ottawa, Junker provided insights into how parents can better support their infants’ sleep needs.

Establishing a sleep routine does not require a strict schedule. Instead, Junker advises parents to pay attention to their child’s sleep cues. “Routines don’t need to mean rigid. It doesn’t need to mean, and shouldn’t mean, by the clock for a newborn or really young infant,” she stated. By recognizing when their newborns show signs of tiredness, parents can facilitate timely naps and prevent their children from becoming overtired and fussy.

Creating a conducive sleep environment is essential for both infants and adults. Junker suggests that making the sleeping area dark and quiet can significantly enhance sleep quality. “We all sleep best when it’s very dark and very quiet, that’s what tells our brains that it’s time to go to sleep,” she explained. For optimal results, parents might consider installing blackout blinds or using curtains to eliminate light. Additionally, incorporating a white noise machine can help mask disruptive sounds that could interfere with sleep.

For families planning to travel with their newborns, Junker recommends bringing portable blackout curtains and white noise machines to maintain a consistent sleep environment. While responding to an infant’s needs is crucial, Junker also highlights the importance of providing cues to signal that it is time for rest. “We can’t just say it’s time to go to bed; they don’t understand what that means,” Junker remarked. Instead, establishing a simple routine can communicate to infants that sleep time is approaching.

Incorporating activities such as a nightly bath can serve as a strong cue for sleep. “That might be a nice little bath every night before you start their bedtime routine, that cues to them, ‘oh this means my big, long sleep in my crib is coming up soon,’” Junker noted. Alongside bath time, dressing babies in pajamas and reading a bedtime story can further reinforce the sleep routine. “Those are some good cues to line up for your baby before its sleep time,” she added.

As new parents navigate the complexities of infant sleep, the insights provided by Erin Junker offer valuable guidance. By focusing on their newborns’ needs and establishing gentle routines, parents can foster a more restful night for themselves and their children. With these strategies in mind, families can look forward to a more peaceful sleeping experience.