Hristiyana Pandeliеva, Baby sleep coach, MC MARKOVS: Golden Rules for Easier Newborn Sleep.
The first weeks with a newborn are full of excitement, fatigue, and often sleepless nights.
Every parent wants to help their baby fall asleep more easily and peacefully. The truth is, newborn sleep is completely different from that of older babies or adults.
However, there are several tried-and-true approaches that can make falling asleep easier — both for the baby and for you as parents.
Newborn Sleep: What You Need to Know
Newborns sleep a lot, but in short stretches. Their sleep is lighter and more sensitive. They often wake up — for feeding, due to discomfort, or simply because they haven’t yet learned to self-soothe.
A key point here is observation: learn to recognize the signs of sleepiness.
These include:
- yawning
- a glassy-eyed stare
- flushed cheeks
- rubbing their eyes or tugging at their ears
The ideal time to put a baby to sleep is before they become overtired. An overtired baby falls asleep more slowly, often cries while being soothed, and tends to wake up more frequently afterward.
Create a Bedtime Ritual
It doesn’t matter whether your baby is 2 weeks or 2 months old — establishing a routine from the start helps build a sense of security.
What can a bedtime ritual include?
- A warm bath
- Gentle massage
- Cuddling, a soft lullaby, or speaking in a gentle tone
- Dimmed lights and a quiet environment
- Swaddling (if your baby likes it)
Even if the ritual is short — for example, 10 minutes — what’s important is consistency. This helps your baby learn that sleep follows the routine.
