Gentle Newborn Sleep Prep - How to set them up for good sleep
One of the most common questions new parents ask is:
“How can I help my newborn sleep better?”
Here’s the truth: newborns are not meant to sleep through the night. In fact, none of us truly do. But the real question is: what’s the very best sleep a newborn is capable of - and how can we gently encourage that from the start?
This is where newborn sleep prep comes in. Unlike “sleep training” (which usually starts from 5–6 months onwards), newborn sleep prep is about laying healthy foundations. It’s not about forcing your baby to do anything, but instead about using simple, loving parenting strategies that encourage your little one to build good sleep patterns naturally.
Why Sleep Prep Matters
Think of sleep prep as creating the right environment and routines so that your baby gradually learns:
The difference between day and night
How to settle more easily
That sleep is safe and consistent
These small steps make a big difference later on, helping your baby transition into longer stretches of sleep as they grow.
1. Focus on the Sleep Environment
Your baby’s sleep environment is one of the most powerful tools you have.
Light and dark cues: Use daylight and lights on during the day, and keep nights dark with blackout curtains. Darkness triggers melatonin, the “sleep hormone,” which helps your baby rest more deeply.
Daytime vs. nighttime YOU: During the day, be animated, playful, and engaging. At night, switch to calm, quiet, whispering - “boring but soothing.” This helps your baby learn that daytime = playtime and nighttime = rest time.
2. Start a Gentle Bedtime Routine Early
Even newborns benefit from a simple, consistent bedtime routine. It doesn’t have to be strict - just a few flexible steps you repeat each night:
A wash or bath
A final daytime feed
A lullaby or cuddle
Settling in their nighttime sleep space
Finishing the routine in the room where they’ll sleep helps babies feel secure when they wake for feeds during the night.
3. Try the “Feed Upon Waking” Rhythm
During the day, feed your baby when they wake rather than before naps. This:
Supports digestion
Gives them energy for playtime
Prevents strong “feed-to-sleep” associations
The one exception? The bedtime feed - which beautifully prepares your newborn for their longest stretch of sleep.
Small Changes, Big Rewards
Newborn sleep prep is about building gentle rhythms that make life easier for both you and your baby. Over time, these small shifts reduce reliance on rocking, feeding, or motion to get to sleep - and instead, support your little one in becoming a confident, healthy sleeper.
💛 Inside our Parent Portal Membership, you’ll find an entire section dedicated to newborn sleep and wellbeing. You’ll get step-by-step guidance, tried-and-tested routines, and the reassurance that you’re not alone in figuring all this out.
👉 For Less than £1 a day you can set your family up for calmer nights, healthier sleep and more confidence in those early weeks/months and when you no longer need it, you can cancel anytime!
