Unless he is hungry, cold, or uncomfortable, it is normal that your newborn baby will spend at least 60% of his time asleep but you may also find that there are some occcasions, whatever you try to do, baby wont sleep.
It is important that your baby learn to distinguish between day and night. When it becomes dark outside, close the curtains and turn the lights very low. Dimmer switches may be useful to help you achieve this and they can be bought fairly cheaply. Make sure he is warm enough, and when he wakes during the night, if you decide to feed him then feed him relatively quickly and quietly without turning the lights up; Also be careful not to play with him or get him excited as this will make it more difficult for him to get back to sleep. In time, he'll learn the difference between a day and a nighttime feeding.
Your baby may fall asleep immediately after and sometimes during a feeding. He will probably be indifferent to noises such as doors shutting or the radio and in fact, may find certain noises soothing. Babies sleeping patterns do vary though, so if your baby is wakeful after a feeding, don't insist that he should stay in his crib. In fact, keeping him awake for a short time will often be beneficial to his sleep anyway.
You will probably find it easiest to let your baby sleep in something that makes him portable. During the day, a car seat with a carrying handle is ideal if you drive. If you don't have a car, a portable bassinet is suitable both day and night since it is easily movable; some types can be attached to a wheeled chassis to become a carriage. When he outgrows a bassinet he will need a proper crib. If you are trying to create a good daytime sleep routine though, it will always be best to let your baby sleep in his crib during the day whenever possible.
Sleeping With You: Some parents opt to have their newborn sleep with them because night feedings are easier to cope with. It shouldn't be a difficult habit to break after a couple of weeks. If you do sleep with your baby, there is little chance of rolling on top of him, but if you're worried you may prefer not to have him in your bed.
Maintain Temperature: Pay careful attention to the temperature of your baby's room. Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults. To maintain the right level of warmth they need a relatively constant temperature and enough blankets or sleeping clothes to keep them warm - but not too warm.
Sleeping Outdoors: Except when it's chilly your baby will normally sleep quite happily outdoors but make sure he's wrapped up and visible at all times and never place him in direct sunlight; choose a shady area or protect him with a canopy. If it is windy, put the hood up on the carriage or bassinet to act as a windbreak. A mesh net will protect him from insects if they are a problem in your locality.
Keep The Baby Comfortable: Your newborn will need to be changed often, and while he is sleeping he should wear something that gives you easy access to his diaper. An all-in-one stretch suit - one with a drawstring at the end so it doesn't ride up his back - can be very useful. It is important that your baby does not get too hot or too cold. In warm weather a diaper and an undershirt, t-shirt or vest will be sufficient.
In the winter, you can check that your baby is warm enough by touching the back of his neck with your hand. His skin should feel about the same temperature as yours. If he feels too hot and clammy, dress him in a lighter sleeper or remove a blanket.
Stimulate Sleep: Encourage your baby to sleep at night by tiring him out in the day with plenty of stimulation: talk to him, pick him up, and give him lots of different things to look at. If he wakes up a lot in the night because he is wet, use double diapers or diaper liners, and if he cries when you leave him, don't immediately return and pick him up. Rocking his cot, removing a blanket, or changing his position may be sufficient.
Early on, swaddling or wrapping your baby in a shawl or blanket may help him sleep; the sensation of being tightly enclosed gives babies a great feeling of security. It is also a useful way of calming a distressed baby.
To swaddle your baby, you need a shawl or small blanket. Fold the shawl in half to form a triangle and lay your baby on it, aligning his head with the longest edge. Then fold one point of the shawl across your baby and tuck it firmly behind his back. Do the same with the other point. Tuck the bottom of the shawl back underneath your baby's feet to keep them covered.
The close wrapping holds your baby's arms in a comfortable position that feels safe and secure and may also help him sleep longer. If his limbs move while he is asleep, he is less likely to wake if swaddled. Not all babies like swaddling and if yours doesn't, don't worry. It is safe to swaddle your baby in cold weather, but keep a check on her temperature by touching his skin. Unwrap him right away if he feels or looks too hot.
If you found these tips useful, take a look at The Baby Sleep Solution -the 35 minute audio program which will show you the easy way to teach your baby to sleep through the night, every night. It's at www.babysleepsolution.com
