During the first few days of life, a newborn’s main activity is sleeping.  According to experts, a one month-old baby spends around 22 hours a day sleeping, which slightly decreases as weeks go by to reach around 19-20 hours at four months. Naturally this can vary considerably: some newborns sleep more and others less, but generally speaking if a baby is well, is feeding properly and looks lively but not nervous, there is no need to worry if he sleeps less than others, or if he wakes up more frequently during the night. Every baby is different and already in the first few weeks shows his own personality.  Bearing this concept in mind, it is clear that it is not necessary “to make” the baby sleep at all costs, but foresee the most suitable conditions in the room where he sleeps, to improve relaxation and tranquillity. First of all a newborn has to be satiated – he will not fall asleep when he is hungry – already in the digestion phase and nice and clean (after a nappy change). “Where” you put him down to sleep is just as important: up to six months a baby can sleep in his parents room, preferably in his own cot. The room must be well aired, therefore remember to open the window at least twice a day, at a time when the climate is milder and there is less traffic.

Use an hygrometer that shows the temperature and the humidity level in the environment. Make sure that the temperature doesn't exceed 19-20 degrees in the room. If the environment is dry, during winter, you can use an electric humidifier or add water (always without essences) to the special containers placed on the radiators. If on the other hand it is warm and the climate is damp, you can use a dehumidifier. The use of air conditioning should be avoided. Above all, don't smoke, even in the other rooms, and don't cover the baby too much. During the first few weeks, when the baby can feel disorientated outside his mother’s womb, you can encourage him to sleep by rocking him in your arms a little, walking around the room with very low lights. When you realize that he is about to fall asleep, put him down in the cot, so that he gets used to the feeling of falling asleep in his own bed. The best position is to lay him on his back which, according to recent research, is the best position to prevent cot death syndrome.  You can stay close to him, holding his hand or singing softly to him: it will serve to reassure him. The harsh methods, that recommend leaving a baby to cry “so he get’s used to it”, don't work and do not respond to the needs of a baby at such a tender age, more often than not they simply respond to the needs of the adults.

Information supplied by the Chicco Observatory

The Chicco Observatory follows child development with the collaboration of mothers, doctors, expert paediatricians, children’s associations and nurseries to propose the ideal solution for each phase of its’ growth.