New parent sleep schedule - should you sleep when your baby sleeps?

Where should your newborn sleep?

For the first six months after birth, your baby should sleep close to you. It’s always best to keep them in your room as they will likely sleep much longer knowing you are there. You’ll also have to get up regularly for feeding and keeping them close can be convenient for night feeds. 

There are plenty of options for keeping your baby close at night, including a bedside cot or sleeping directly in your bed.

You may find it easier to match your sleeping times with your baby’s and watch them more closely if they need changing or feeding. Ultimately, you can make decisions about what works for you and your baby by carrying out your own research if you’re concerned about your baby’s safety. 

Your new parent sleep schedule

As a new parent, you’ll have to adjust to a brand new sleep schedule. This can be difficult for many and take time to get used to. You’ll undoubtedly be used to sleeping right through the night, but as a new parent you will have to wake up regularly for feeds and changing. 

Your baby is likely to nap a lot during the daytime. In fact, when it comes to how long newborns sleep, they can sleep for up to 17 hours a day. As a new parent you may want to spend a lot of that time catching up on chores around the house, but it really depends if you feel you are able to. It’s important to not make yourself feel guilty if you’re not getting a lot done when they are sleeping, as it is important you rest as well. 

It’s common that babies will sleep in short bursts of around 2-4 hours, and they will usually need feeding in between. Some babies may want to be fed more regularly in the first few months which is called cluster feeding, which you can learn about on the NHS website. This is nothing to worry about but it will be more likely to affect your sleep schedule to monitor and change your baby. Depending on the arrangement between you and your partner, you may want to share the feeding schedule so you can get a prolonged period of sleep. 

However, if you do want to sleep when your baby sleeps, you can do so for the first period, matching their schedule and sleeping at the same time. Letting your baby lead the routine can help you adjust to being a new parent and help your bond grow further.

You may want to sleep in between feeds where possible, to not disrupt your sleep cycle completely. However, it’s important to not beat yourself during the initial adjustment period because each experience is different for every new parent. Overall, there is a lot to consider, but following the best sleeping tips, you can build a routine that works for you, your partner and your new baby.

Looking ahead at your sleep wellness

After the initial period of adjustment, it’s a good idea to look ahead and consider how your sleep schedule with your baby will change further. The first period is going to be the hardest as you learn about your baby's needs. Especially if you’ve struggled to adjust and maintain your own schedule. 

You can learn a lot about your baby’s sleep schedule so that you know what to expect with your future routines. According to sleep experts, a baby's REM sleep begins to reduce at around 9-12 months, and they will become more active during the day as they learn. This may be when things begin to feel like they are going back to normal and you may be able to return to your own regular sleep schedule. 

How long should a baby sleep in your room?

Your baby should stay in your room to sleep for at least the first 6 months. According to the NHS, this can significantly reduce the chance of difficulty in the early period of new parenthood. 

A lot of parents will be asking themselves when a baby can sleep on their own. Overtime, as your baby sleeps more independently, you can consider moving them to a separate room if you feel safe and comfortable enough to do so.