Healthy Sleeping

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As a new parent, you'll be getting less sleep than usual and will likely be hearing lots of advice about what you could be doing to have ‘that baby’ that sleeps through the night. Few babies do. However there are lots of things you can do to take care of yourself and also encourage healthy sleep habits in your newborn.

Understanding your newborn's sleeping patterns and making time to nap or lie down during the day can help you catch up on sleep. Strategies to encourage a healthy nighttime routine for your newborn include: nursing, warm baths, rocking in dark spaces at night, and playing white noise.

Creating a safe sleeping environment (by following the Canadian Guidelines for cribs, cradles and bassinets) is important to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Sharing a smoke-free room with your baby for the first six months is recommended. Some parents may be interested in co-sleeping, but research indicates this is less safe. The safest way to think about creating a baby's sleeping space is to consider the ABC's - putting your baby Alone, on its Back, in an approved Crib or Cradle. Please see the resources below for more information on you and your baby's sleep in the postpartum period. Also, see our page on baby sleep patterns.