providers at leitchfield pediatrics

If you have a newborn, it’s common to experience sleep issues, both for your newborn and yourself. Establishing healthy sleep patterns is important for both of you. Your pediatrician can help. Dr. John Evans, Dr. Anthony Smith, Dr. Jessika Young-Purcell, and Dr. Elizabeth Stivers at Leitchfield Pediatrics in Leitchfield and Breckinridge County, KY, offer comprehensive medical care for children of all ages, including newborns.

What You Need To Know About Newborns and Sleep

Newborn babies need many hours of sleep daily to aid growth and development. If your newborn has interrupted sleep, it can affect your baby's health. First, it’s important to try to sleep when your baby sleeps so you can stay rested to care for your newborn.

To establish healthy sleep patterns for your newborn, it’s helpful to follow a few simple tips like these:

• Your newborn will sleep for a few hours at a time, so your baby can feed every 2 to 3 hours
• Try to start your day at the same time, including getting your newborn up when you get up in the morning
• Have your newborn enjoy sunlight, to make your newborn feel comfortable and warm
• Put your newborn down for a nap right away when your newborn shows signs of being tired
• Try to keep a consistent bedtime, so your newborn gets used to a routine
• Start a sleeping ritual, like singing to your baby, rocking, or reading to your baby
• When your baby wakes during the night, keep the lights low, feed your baby, and put your baby down for the night again, without any wake time

Want To Know More About Newborn Care and Sleep?

To learn more about establishing healthy sleep patterns for your newborn, call Dr. John Evans, Dr. Anthony Smith, Dr. Jessika Young-Purcell, and Dr. Elizabeth Stivers at Leitchfield Pediatrics in Leitchfield and Breckinridge County, KY. You can reach them in the office by calling (270) 259-5691, so call today.