#4mythThe next myth of the series I have seen multiple times in families with newborns that are trying to swap around their newborn’s day/night cycle.  Sleeping them in the light to teach them the difference between night and day.  As we will talk about in the next myth  about swaddling, our newborns may sleep perfectly in the light or being unswaddled for the first three weeks of their lives, this is due to being born with their mother’s melantonin (the sleep hormone).  After this time you will notice they will suddenly wake up and napping/sleeping will more then likely become more difficult.  As our little ones are becoming more aware of their environment and those things/people surrounding them.  Which is when they will start to produce their own melantonin, which is only produced in the dark.

Just as most adults would confess they usually shut their blinds during the day if they are going to take a nap, as light hinders our ability to sleep.   The same applies to your newborn.  A dark sleep environment is definitely more acclimating to a good nap than sun streaming through the window.

If that won’t help my little one learn learn the difference between day and night, what will?  The first thing that you will want to do is wake your newborn for feeds during the day.  You will also want to do these feeds in the lounge or out where there is a lot of natural sun light, noise, and a lot of stimuli.  Allow them to play and this is a great opportunity for tummy time, after feeds during the day.  Have fun and enjoy some bonding time with your newborn, while they are awake.

So on the flip side, any night wakings should be treated as dull and boring.  Mom or dad don’t smile, laugh, or talk at baby.  Night feeds should be done in a dim room with a small night light.  Think less stimulation.  This feed should be quick and with no fuss, diaper changing should be done quick and only if needed, then our little one should be  re-swaddled and put back to bed shortly after.

With these strategies we will in a few short weeks help teach our newborns the difference between night and day.  Which should help with momma’s/baby’s feed/sleep schedule as well