Expert Insights on Baby Sleep

Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and author of the popular book The Happiest Baby on the Block, shares his strategies on helping babies sleep better. Along with his wife, he developed the SNOO Smart Sleeper, a robotic bassinet that aids in sleep by mimicking comforting motions and sounds. Here, he explains effective methods for soothing and improving infant sleep.

Contrary to the saying “sleeping like a baby,” newborns tend to sleep in short, scattered bursts throughout the day and night. While driving a baby in a car might encourage longer sleep, there are simpler, home-based ways to recreate that experience.

The primary reason behind infant sleep challenges is often the abrupt loss of the womb’s calming sensations—continuous rocking, rhythmic sounds, and snug surroundings. For nine months, babies are used to these, so adjusting to a quiet, still world can be challenging.

If parents adopt a “fourth trimester” mindset by providing womb-like comforts—rocking, white noise, and close contact—their babies generally sleep more soundly. Dr. Karp recommends the “5 S’s” as key strategies:

1. Swaddling: Wrapping babies snugly mimics the secure feel of the womb, reducing startling and enhancing sleep. Swaddling should be phased out around two months as babies start to roll.
2. Side/Stomach Position: This calming method involves holding the baby on their side or stomach to soothe, before placing them on their back to sleep safely.
3. Shushing: Low-pitched, continuous white noise replicates the loud, constant sounds of the womb and should be played during naps and at night.
4. Swinging: Gentle rocking calms sleepy babies, while quicker, smaller motions can soothe fussier ones. Babies are used to this movement from their time in the womb.
5. Sucking: Offering a pacifier can help comfort and relax babies who are particularly fussy.

To further reduce nighttime awakenings, consider adjusting feeding routines. During the day, feed your baby every one to one-and-a-half hours to decrease night feeds. Dream feeding—a feed between 10 p.m. and midnight—can also reduce early night waking.

Another technique, the wake-and-sleep approach, involves slightly waking a baby after putting them down to sleep. This helps babies learn to settle themselves back to sleep, reducing future sleep disruptions.

Lastly, prioritize safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): have the baby sleep alone, on their back, and without loose bedding or crib bumpers. These precautions are essential for safe and restful infant sleep.