Infants Sleep Tips: Building Confidence in Your Baby's Sleep

Navigating the early months of your baby’s life can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to sleep. Parents often find themselves unsure of what to expect, let alone how to handle sleep-related challenges. Here are our favorite tips to not only manage, but feel confident during this crucial stage of development.

Infant Sleep: What to Expect in the Early Months

The first few months of an infant's life are a whirlwind of adjustments. As your baby transitions to life outside the womb, your primary focus should be survival and adaptation. The only thing that will be regular will be irregular sleep schedules,, but that’s completely normal!

But remember: don’t pressure yourself to create the perfect sleep schedule immediately. Instead, think of these early months as an opportunity to plant seeds for healthy sleep habits. With patience and small, intentional steps, you’ll set the stage for better sleep as your baby grows.

Actionable Tips to Support Infant Sleep

1. Day vs. Night Differentiation

   • Encourage exposure to natural light during the day by taking your baby outdoors if possible or sitting near windows with strong, natural light.

   • Keep daytime environments filled with natural noise, while nights are quieter and darker, with the help of white noise machines if needed.

     
     

2. Swaddling and Soothing Techniques

   • Using a swaddle can decrease the startle response in infants to help them sleep more soundly.

   • Focus on calming routines like gentle rocking, soft singing, or a warm bath before bedtime.

     
     

3. Follow Your Baby’s Cues

   • Watch for signs of sleep readiness, such as rubbing eyes or fussiness. When these cues appear, provide a calm environment for rest.

     
     

4. Embrace Contact Naps

   • Contact naps—when your baby naps while lying on you—are completely normal in the newborn stage. At this stage, you cannot "spoil" your baby by holding them while they nap.

     
     

5. Gradual Introduction of Independent Sleep

   • When your baby is calm and drowsy, try placing them in their crib or bassinet to sleep. If they resist, don’t worry. Keep trying when the opportunity arises without creating undue stress for either of you.

     
     

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Many parents feel pressured to achieve milestones like sleeping through the night within weeks. Books and social media often paint an unrealistic picture of what infant sleep “should” look like. Here’s the truth: most newborns are not ready for long stretches of independent sleep or rigid schedules.

Forgoing these expectations is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and your baby’s well-being. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to infant sleep. Trust your instincts and focus on what works for you and your baby.

How Momentum Parenting Can Help

At Momentum Parenting, we know how important it is to help parents feel confident in their infant’s sleep journey. Our evidence-based parenting courses offer tailored strategies that work for a variety of parenting styles. These courses are built on years of research and are designed to empower you with tools to navigate parenting challenges effectively.

Our workshops address everything from newborn sleep struggles to toddler tantrums, offering support in areas like:

• Sleep foundations and routines.

• Building confident parenting habits.

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Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding what works for you and your child. With Momentum Parenting, you’ll gain insights grounded in science and delivered with a compassionate, practical approach.

Final Thoughts: Start Small and Stay Confident

The early months of parenting can be both exhausting and magical. With these infants sleep tips, you can focus on the small wins, like helping your baby distinguish between day and night or simply surviving those long nights. Confidence comes with time, patience, and the right support.

Ready to take the next step? Explore Momentum Parenting’s workshops and resources to learn how our proven strategies can help you build the foundation for a happy, healthy parenting journey.

For more tips and resources, follow us on Instagram and sign up for our free guides to get started today. Let’s build a parenting approach that works for you—because every family deserves a little momentum.