Your baby sleeps more than you do?
Sleeping Patterns & Techniques for those Restless Newborns
It is not uncommon for your newborn to be sleeping in fragments, causing you to feel exhausted and fatigue. On average, a newborn sleeps for 16 hours a day. Well rested, aren't they? You, on the other hand, not so much. Having to accommodate your sleeping pattern to your baby can be stressful at times, but you can make the process easier for both you AND your baby by doing the following:
Establishing a Routine
Establishing a 'bedtime routine' will make it easier for the baby to understand that nighttime is sleep time. Putting your baby into pajamas, giving the baby a bath, singing a lullaby, reading a story, and giving a goodnight kiss are all ways to establish a routine. The best way to encourage a routine is consistency.
Learn the Signs
In order to ensure your baby sleeps at the times they are tired, you need to recognize the signs that show the baby is sleepy. If you miss the baby's signs, they may have trouble falling asleep when they are no longer tired. Some of the common signs are: -Yawning -Jerky movements -Becoming quiet -“Grizzling” or being fussy -Rubbing their eyes -Making a sleepy sound -Crying -Clenched fists -Waving arms and legs about
Understand the Different Sleep Phases
The different phases of sleep for a newborn are: drowsiness, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, light sleep, deep sleep, and very deep sleep. Being aware of these different sleep phases will help you take advantage of the activities you should do while the baby is sleeping. For example, when the baby is in a deep sleep to very deep sleep would be a good opportunity for you to do the dishes, talk on the phone, or even take a quick nap! To learn more about the sleeping phases you can go to this website: http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/newborn/behrslep.html
Teach Night and Day
In order to encourage your baby to be on the same sleeping pattern as you, you must distinguish between 'night' and 'day'. When the baby is awake, play and bond. Expose the baby's bedroom to light. Do not worry about daytime noises (phone, music, dishwasher, etc). During the night, do not fuss around with him by talking or playing. Dim the lights and use soothing tones and minimize noise in the house.
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/is_my_child_tired.html/context/730