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Newborns: Sleeping, Crying & Everyday CareNewborns: Birth - 2 Months

Introduction

Taking care of your baby includes keeping them safe and healthy. By meeting their everyday needs like sleeping, bathing, diapering and more, you’re also setting the foundation for a lifetime of good habits.

All babies cry and they cry for many reasons. On this page, you’ll also learn how to plan ahead so you’re ready for the times when your baby’s crying becomes too much.

Waking and sleeping

Sleep patterns

A newborn’s sleep patterns are quite different from older children and adults. Once you understand these patterns, it’s easier for you to read your baby’s cues and respond to their needs. When you respond early to your baby’s cues, you’ll also help them learn good sleeping habits.

As your newborn’s stomach can only hold a small amount of milk, they’ll need to wake up to feed often. They’ll usually sleep an average of 1–3 hours at a time, day and night.

For the most part, your baby will feed and sleep when they need to. They’ll develop their own feeding and sleeping patterns that will change as they grow. As long as your baby is healthy, gaining enough weight and growing, you do not need to wake them to feed. Sometimes, if they become excessively jaundiced or they‘re not gaining weight as they should, your health care provider may give you different directions. Be sure to follow those instructions until your baby is no longer jaundiced or is gaining weight as they should.

How long do babies sleep?

As babies get older, they’ll be able to sleep for longer periods at a time. For the first few months they’ll usually sleep about 2 hours at a time, and seldom more than 3–4 hours, for a total of about 14–17 hours a day.

Waking

Newborns have 3 different states of being awake:

  • Quiet alert state: Newborns spend very little time in this state (only about 2 ½ hours per day). Your baby will be calm and relaxed, and their breathing will be regular. They’ll often look at your face and may copy the movements of your face. This is a great time for you to gently talk and sing to your baby.
  • Active alert state: As your baby moves into this state, they’ll wriggle, flap their arms and kick their legs. When your baby shows these cues, they may be trying to engage with you, or they may need a change in activity. Watch for their cues and think about what your baby might need, like a feeding, burping or diaper change. As your baby gets older, you’ll also see this state when they’re excited and having fun.
  • Crying state: Babies cry to tell you they feel upset. Your baby might be hungry, tired, over-stimulated, uncomfortable, afraid, lonely, sad or in pain. There are different kinds of crying for different feelings or needs. At first it may seem confusing, however, you’ll soon learn what your baby’s different patterns of crying mean. When you respond to your baby’s cries, they’ll learn to trust that you’ll be there to help them and meet their needs.

Sleeping

A newborn’s sleep pattern includes quiet sleep, active sleep and a transition state. Babies go back and forth between these 3 states every 30 minutes or so while sleeping.

  • Quiet sleep: Your baby lies very still during quiet sleep. Their heart rate and breathing is regular and their face is relaxed. This is the deepest level of sleep.
  • Active sleep: Your baby may move their arms and legs and make different faces during active sleep. This is the lightest sleep state so your baby can wake easily in this stage. You may think they’re waking up, but if you wait a few minutes they may go back into a quiet sleep on their own.
  • Transition: This is the in-between state that happens when your baby is falling asleep, waking up or moving between quiet and active sleep. During transition, babies respond to voices and sounds by opening their eyes and starting to move. If you hear your baby moving around, listen quietly for a few minutes. They may go back to a quiet sleep on their own or they may be ready to get up. Either way they’ll let you know!

Babies will continue to wake to be fed during the night for many months. You can help your baby start to learn that nighttime is also for sleeping. Here are some suggestions to help your baby learn the difference between day and night:

During the day

  • Keep your home light and bright
  • Don’t worry about noises such as phones, music and dishwashers
  • Play and talk with your baby

During the night

  • Keep lights dim or off
  • Reduce noise
  • Keep feedings quiet and voices low

Having a general routine every day helps babies feel more secure. Follow your baby’s cues for feeding and sleeping. Try to have a regular routine for your baby’s care like bathing and play time. Aim to be predictable yet flexible when needed. Being too strict does not work well because babies’ needs change from day-to-day.

Tips when putting your baby to sleep

  • Put your baby to sleep when you first notice they’re sleepy. The sooner you put them down to sleep, the better. If you wait too long, they may get overtired and have trouble relaxing and going to sleep.
  • You’ll know your baby is sleepy when they’re fussy, rub their eyes, pull their ear or yawn. They may also have red rimmed eyes.
  • It may take some time to learn your baby’s sleep cues and patterns. Until you do, for the first 6−8 weeks, you can expect your baby to be tired and ready to sleep after being awake for about 2 hours.

Crying

Your baby's crying

All babies cry and they cry for many reasons. Crying is a way your baby communicates with you and tells you that they need your help. It may mean they need a diaper change, to be fed, burped, held or cuddled. It may mean that they need sleep, or perhaps they don’t feel well. Sometimes you won’t know what your baby is trying to tell you. There may be times when your baby can’t seem to stop crying, no matter how you try to soothe them. Try to make your baby more comfortable during this time. As a new parent, you’ll soon learn your baby’s cues and that your baby cries differently for different reasons.

It’s more important for you to stay calm than to stop the crying. Know that even if you cannot calm your baby, they’ll still know that you love them and that you’re trying. Ask for help when you need it.

When your baby is crying, always take a moment to calm yourself first by using self-regulation strategies before you try to calm your baby. Babies cannot calm themselves on their own. Your calm manner will help them learn, over time, how to calm themselves. This takes many years, although the process starts when they are tiny babies. Research has shown that when babies are consistently comforted when they are under 6 months of age, they cry less after 6 months of age.

Babies cry from birth and the amount they cry changes as they grow. You may notice that your baby’s crying:

  • typically starts to increase at about 2 weeks old
  • peaks around 2 months old
  • starts to gradually lessen when they’re 3–4 months old

On average, babies cry about 2 hours in total throughout the day. Some babies cry more and some cry less. Babies can:

  • sometimes cry for 30–40 minutes at a time
  • cry more in the afternoon or evening
  • sometimes look like they’re in pain when they’re crying

Cuddling does not spoil babies!

Holding your baby close and cuddling them helps them feel safe and secure.

Take time for yourself

Try to take some time for yourself and get sleep when you can.

“Sleep—make sure you talk to your partner or a close family member if you’re not getting enough of it. Without it, you lose your ability to think clearly, reason, and your emotional regulation goes out the window. If you’re experiencing feelings of anger, rage or violence, it’s really important to tell someone and get the support you need. Do not let the shame take hold.”

~Maha, mom of two children

Coping with crying

Plan ahead so you’re ready for the times when your baby’s crying becomes too much. Talk to people you trust. Sometimes you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling. Make a plan to call them to come over right away if you’re getting frustrated. Keep their phone numbers handy for yourself and for other caregivers. The Crying Plan – Take a break, don’t shake printable is your own plan to help you cope when you are feeling overwhelmed.

You may not be able to soothe your baby even if you’re doing all the right things. When your baby cannot stop crying, you may find yourself feeling frustrated or angry as your stress level rises. If this happens:

  • Put your baby in a safe place, like their crib, cradle or bassinet.
  • Leave the room and gently close the door.
  • Take time to calm yourself before you try to soothe them again.
  • Ask your partner, friends or family for help.

Short periods of crying while you calm yourself will not hurt your baby. Holding your baby when you’re frustrated or angry can lead to shaking.

A Crying Plan resource that parents can use to find tips to calm baby, themselves, and list who to contact if they need help
Tap or click to expand

Take a break, don’t shake

Frustration when dealing with a crying baby is the number one reason for shaking. Never shake your baby or child for any reason.

Babies and young toddlers have heavy heads and weak neck muscles. Even a few seconds of shaking can cause blindness, hearing loss, inability to walk, learning problems, and in some cases may even cause death.

Asking for help...

It’s okay to ask for help.

You can call Health Link at 811 to get health advice 24/7 from a nurse.

Colic

Sometimes a baby will cry for longer periods of time, no matter what you do. This type of crying could be colic. Colic is when a healthy baby is irritable, fussy or cries for 3 hours or more a day, more than 3 times a week, for at least 1 week.

Colic tends to start when babies are between 3 weeks and 3 months old. It usually stops by the time your baby is 4–6 months old.

Colic tends to follow the same pattern of typical crying. It’s at the high end of the normal range and is often louder, more frequent, and lasts longer. Colic can be very upsetting and exhausting for parents, so be sure to take good care of yourself. Take breaks when you can and seek out help from other adults that you trust. See the Crying Plan – Take a break, don’t shake for things you can do for yourself and your baby.

Call Health Link at 811 or your health care provider NOW if your baby has any of the following:

  • they cannot stop crying and you’ve done everything you can to soothe them
  • is crying and you feel stressed, frustrated, angry or alone

Sometimes, talking with another person, especially in the middle of the night, can help.

Tips when leaving your baby with other caregivers

  • Write out a list of what usually works to help soothe your baby. Share your Crying Plan with your caregiver if you like.
  • Leave instructions for feeding your baby.
  • Tell caregivers that you’ll come back, if they need you.
  • Come home when you say you will.
  • Tell caregivers to put your baby on their back in a safe place, like their crib, cradle or bassinet if they’re starting to feel frustrated with their crying. That’s the safest place for your baby.

Bathing

How often to bathe your baby

Babies do not need a full bath every day. Frequent full baths can dry out your baby’s skin, so it’s better to limit them to a few times a week. After your baby is 1 week old, a full bath in a sink or a baby bathtub 1−2 times a week is often enough.

In between full baths and before your baby is 1 week old, you can clean your baby using a sponge bath (washing with a wet sponge or washcloth instead of in a sink, basin or baby tub filled with water). While giving your baby a sponge bath, lay them on a clean towel, cover the areas of your baby that are not being washed to help keep them warm and dry the wet areas as you go. Wash your baby’s face, hands, bottom and genitals with a warm, wet face cloth at least once a day and whenever needed.

Bathtime safety

Keep your baby safe during a bath by having your hands on your baby at all times in or around water. Never leave your baby alone around water, not even for a second. Babies do not have good head control, which means they can drown in as little as 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water in just a few seconds. If you’re using a baby bath seat, ensure that you’re with your baby at all times. Bathtub rings are not safe to use as they can tip over when the suction cups become loose and your baby will not be able to get out of the seat.

Getting ready for a bath

When getting ready to bathe your baby:

  1. Make sure the room is warm.
  2. Take off any jewellery that could scratch your baby.
  3. Put everything you need within easy reach.
  4. Lay out a blanket or towel next to the sink, basin or baby bathtub to lay your baby on.
  5. Fill the sink, basin or bathtub with the least amount of warm water needed.
  6. Check the temperature of the water with your wrist or elbow. The water should feel warm to touch, not cold or hot.

Bathing your baby

When giving a bath, support your baby’s head and neck, and slowly lower them into the water. At first, your baby may not like it as it’s a new experience, so sing or talk gently to your baby to help calm them. Always keep one hand on your baby. Use a clean washcloth and plain water. Babies don’t need soap as it dries out the skin. You may use a small amount of baby shampoo once in a while if needed. Make sure to rinse it off.

Caregiver holding onto newborn while giving them a bath in a plastic basin partly filled with clean, plain water.

Start by washing your baby’s face and work your way down from the cleanest to the dirtiest parts of their body:

  1. Wash your baby’s eyes and outer ears and then the rest of their face. Be careful no soap gets on their face, if you’re using soap.
  2. Wash their scalp and hair.
  3. Clean skin creases in their neck and underarms.
  4. Wash the rest of their body.
  5. Clean your baby’s genitals and the skin creases in this area last:
  • For baby girls, wipe gently from front to back. This will help prevent spreading germs from their bottom to their genitals.
  • For baby boys, wipe their penis and then their bottom. If the penis is covered with skin (foreskin), do not pull it back. The foreskin will loosen on its own when your child is 3–5 years old. If your baby has had their foreskin removed (circumcision), your health care provider will explain how to care for the area. If you have any questions or concerns, talk with your health care provider.
  1. Gently dry your baby’s skin, including the skin creases, with a soft towel.

You don’t need to use lotion or baby powder after a bath as these can irritate your baby’s skin. Baby powder can also cause choking and breathing problems for your baby.

Circumcision

Circumcision is a personal decision. It’s not recommended as a routine procedure for all newborn males, but there may be benefits for some. For more information, talk with your health care provider or visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Circumcision.

Eyes, ears, nails & mouth

Your baby’s eyes, ears, nails and mouth need gentle cleaning and care.

Eye care

Your baby’s eyes may be swollen or have small amounts of discharge after birth. Sometimes the discharge can last up to a year if they have blocked or narrow tear ducts. This is normal. To care for your baby’s eyes:

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Use a clean, soft, wet washcloth to wipe from the inner corner to the outer corner of your baby’s eyes—use a different part of the cloth each time you wipe.

Call Health Link at 811 or your health care provider if you notice any of the following:

  • they have a yellow or white build-up in the corner of the eye
  • the eyelids are sticking together
  • one or both eye(s) look red and swollen

Ear care

Use a clean, damp washcloth to clean only the outside of your baby’s ears. Never use a cotton-tipped applicator inside your baby’s ears as it can poke a hole in their eardrum. It can also push wax into their ears and cause a wax build-up or blockage, which can cause temporary hearing loss.

Nail care

Your baby’s fingernails and toenails may be quite long when they’re born. Your baby’s skin is attached to the underside of the nail and can be easily damaged. The best time to care for your baby’s nails is when they’re asleep in the quiet sleep state.

To care for your baby’s nails, use an emery board and gently file the nail. If you’re using nail clippers, only use the ones made for babies. Push the pad of your baby’s finger away from their nail so you don’t cut their skin.

Your baby’s nails

Never bite your baby’s nails as this could cause an infection.

Mouth care

A healthy mouth is important to a newborn’s overall health. Here are some tips for keeping your baby’s mouth clean:

  • Clean your baby’s gums with a soft, clean, damp washcloth every morning and night.
  • Do not put bottle nipples or soothers in your mouth. If you share saliva with your baby, it can pass germs to them that can cause tooth decay.
  • Do not let breastmilk or formula stay for long periods of time in your baby’s mouth. Avoid propping up the bottle for feeding and remove your breast or the bottle from your baby’s mouth when feeding stops.
Caregiver lifting baby’s upper lip and wiping gums with clean, damp washcloth. Baby does not have any teeth.
Reproduced with permission from Van Mierlo, A. (2017). Tap or click image to expand.

Soothers

Babies suck when they drink. Sucking is also a natural way for babies to comfort themselves when they’re tired or upset. Sucking for comfort starts early in life. It usually decreases as children get older.

Your baby may suck their thumb, fingers or fist for comfort—or you may decide to use a soother. It’s easier to stop a soother habit than a thumb-sucking habit.

Soothers (pacifiers) are often used to help babies calm and self-soothe. Research tells us that using a soother may help reduce the risk of SIDS. However, the research is not clear if soothers will interfere with breastfeeding or not. Soothers can be used if your baby is growing well and you use it once you know your baby is fed and no longer hungry. If you use a soother, and your baby falls asleep and it falls out, there’s no need to place it back in their mouth.

Babies don’t need a soother all the time. They need to be able to coo and babble.

If you’re using a soother:

  • it should not replace feeding, holding, or comforting your baby.
  • never tie a soother around your baby’s neck as it can strangle them. You can use a clip with a short ribbon (about 15 cm or 6 inches) to attach the soother to their clothing instead.
  • do not dip your baby’s soother in sugar, honey or drinks with sugar or alcohol. This could make your baby very sick.

To keep your baby’s soother safe and clean:

  • boil it in water for 2 minutes or according to the instructions on the package before using it for the first time. Cool it completely before using.
  • wash it often with hot, soapy water. Rinse it after each use.
  • do not put it in your mouth as this transfers germs from your mouth to your baby’s mouth.
  • check it regularly. Throw it away if it’s cracked, has a hole or is torn.
  • replace soothers at least every 2 months.

Diapering

Overview

Whether you use cloth or disposable diapers, change them often to keep your baby comfortable and to prevent diaper rash. Babies use at least 10 diapers every day. Your baby may cry when you’re changing their diaper. Talk or sing to them to help calm them, and to help them start understanding words and routines.

Make a separate area for diapering. If you can, set it up near a sink and away from areas where food is prepared, stored or eaten. Clean your diaper change area often.

Caregiver cleaning baby’s bottom with a soft cloth before putting on a clean diaper. Baby is lying on its back on a soft surface. Caregiver is holding onto baby’s feet with their free hand.

Changing your baby's diaper

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Place your baby on a safe, flat surface.
  3. Take off the dirty or wet diaper.
  4. Clean your baby’s diaper area from front to back, with a warm, wet, soft washcloth or alcohol-free baby wipes.
  5. Dry their diaper area with a dry cloth or leave the diaper off until the area dries to prevent diaper rash.
  6. Put on an unscented barrier ointment or cream.
  7. Put on a clean diaper.
  8. Put disposable diapers in a covered diaper pail or garbage can right away, and empty it often. Keep dirty diapers out of reach of children and animals.
  9. Clean and sanitize the diaper change area.
  10. Wash your hands again.

Diaper rash?

If your baby has a diaper rash, you can use a small amount of a zinc-based cream. Talk to your pharmacist about which cream to use.

Keeping your baby safe when diapering

  • Always keep one hand on them—even tiny babies can move.
  • Never leave your baby alone, even for a second, on any surface where they could roll off and fall.
  • If there are safety straps, use them when changing your baby on a table or raised surface.
  • Keep all pins, creams and dirty diapers out of their reach.

Call Health Link at 811 or your health care provider if your baby has a diaper rash and you notice any of the following:

  • lasts longer than 2 days
  • looks like blisters
  • looks like a burn or is bright red
  • looks like red dots or bumps

Tips for cleaning cloth diapers

  1. Remove stool from the diaper if you can. Flush the stool down the toilet.
  2. Fill the diaper pail ¾ full of water.
  3. Put soiled washcloths, cloth diapers and diaper clothing in a covered diaper pail.
  4. Wash these items in a washing machine in hot water, every 2−3 days, using the sanitize cycle, if you have one.
  5. Put these items in a hot dryer or hang outside in the sun.
  6. Wash your hands with soap and hot water after changing your baby’s diaper, cleaning the cloth diapers, and after cleaning the changing area.

Dressing your baby

Choosing safe and comfortable clothing

Newborn-sized clothing fits for a very short time, so get only what you need. Always choose sleepwear that fits your baby. Dress your baby to keep them warm, not hot—overheating can increase the risk of SIDS.

To keep your baby safe and comfortable, choose clothing that:

  • Fits well—if it’s too big it can ride up and could suffocate your baby
  • Is non-flammable
  • Does not have small buttons, drawstrings or decorations that could come off
  • Is easy to put on such as clothing with a wide neck opening so it fits over your baby’s head
  • Does not have a hood

When going outside in cold weather:

  • Put a hat on your baby and cover their hands and feet.
  • If you’re choosing a warmer, hooded sleeper for outdoor use, make sure you choose one with a ‘break-away’ hood that is attached with Velcro® or snap attachments. Fixed hoods can catch on things and strangle your baby.
  • Dress your baby with 1 more layer of clothing than you’re wearing.
  • Do not use scarves or anything with drawstrings, as they can strangle your baby.
  • Do not stay outside for too long.

Winter clothing and car seats

Bulky winter clothing could affect the harness system of your car seat. In the winter, use thin, warm layers like a fleece or a light snowsuit with legs, not a bunting bag style. Once your child is in the seat, and the straps are secure, a blanket or cover can be placed over them. Check that the straps are snug each time.

Washing your baby’s clothes

How you wash your baby’s clothes is important as they have very sensitive skin and can develop skin rashes. When washing your baby’s clothes, blankets and other items that touch their skin:

  • Wash with a mild soap before using items for the first time.
  • Rinse twice or add 125 ml (½ cup) of vinegar to the rinse.
  • Do not use fabric softeners or scented soaps as these can irritate your baby’s skin.