Newborn Sleep Survival Kit

The First Six Weeks

Those first six weeks with a newborn are a beautiful blur—a mix of oxytocin highs and sleep-deprived haze. If you’re reading this with one eye open while cradling your baby at 3 AM, you’re not alone. At Little Lambs Lore, we’ve been there—and we’re here to help.

Using the best of Helen Moon’s Cherish the First 6 Weeks and Cara Dumaplin’s Taking Cara Babies philosophy, we’ve put together a quick practical newborn sleep survival guide to help you lay healthy foundations—gently, confidently, and without pressure.

Week 0–6: The Fourth Trimester Mindset

Your baby has just left the womb. For them, the outside world is loud, bright, and unfamiliar. This is not the time to “sleep train”—it's time to nurture, observe, and create rhythms, not rigid routines.

What this means:

• Feed on demand, roughly every 2.5–3 hours during the day

• Hold and soothe without guilt—this builds trust and calm

• Aim for full feeds, not snacks

• Use white noise, swaddling, and motion to recreate the womb

  
  

Your Survival Sleep Kit : No, it’s not all swaddles

1. Day-Night Differentiation: Keep days bright and noisy, and nights dark and calm. This helps set your baby's circadian rhythm early.

2. Full Feeds, Every Time: A well-fed baby sleeps better. Gently keep baby awake for feeds—tickle feet, change nappy midway, or burp upright.

3. Wake Windows Matter: Your newborn can only stay awake 45–60 minutes at a time. Don’t wait for overtired cries—watch for yawns, glassy eyes, or turning away.

4. Practice One Nap a Day in the Cot: While contact naps are gold, try one nap daily in the bassinet to build sleep confidence—for both of you.

5. Evening Routine Starts Early: From week 3, begin a simple bedtime routine: dim lights, bath, massage, feed, lullaby. Same steps, same order. It signals, sleep is coming.

   
   

Let’s Talk Night Wakings

Expect 2–3 wakeups per night at this stage—it's biologically normal. But by spacing daytime feeds and ensuring full feeds, many babies start stretching longer naturally by week 6–8.

If your baby wakes often and isn’t hungry, try:

• Re-swaddling

• Offering a pacifier

• Rocking briefly before re-feeding

  
  

What About the Dream Feed?

Introduce a dream feed (usually between 10–11 PM) from around 3–4 weeks if baby is gaining well. Gently feed while baby is semi-asleep, which can help reduce early night wakings.

Cherish, Don’t Chase

Remember to cherish the first six weeks. It’s not about sleeping through the night or fixing anything. It’s about bonding, learning your baby, and surviving with sanity and snuggles.

Final Thoughts for Sleep Deprived Parents

There’s no perfect path—only the one that works for your baby, your family, and your mental health. One good nap in the cot is enough. One decent stretch at night is progress. And one calm parent? That’s gold.

You’re doing better than you think.