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this is done on a bed but on the floor or a table is good. If raised off floor make sure they cannot roll off. Never leave them while changing nappy

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How do I take care of the umbilical cord stump? | NHS

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written instructions for those who prefer that

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Giving your baby a bath can be fun and a great bonding experience. But it can also make you feel nervous, especially if you're bathing your baby for the first time. These tips should give you confidence and help wash away your fears.

1. Get the room warm before you start as your baby can get cold quickly.

2. Be prepared before you start the bath by getting everything ready. You'll want things like towels, cotton wool, a bowl of warm water, a clean nappy and clothes.

3. Fill the bath with 8 cm to 10 cm of warm water. It's safest to put cold water in first, or have both hot and cold taps running at the same time. You can wash your baby in a sink or baby bath.

4. Make sure the bath water is at body temperature. It shouldn't feel too hot or too cold. You can check this by putting your elbow in the water.

5. Undress your baby except for their nappy. Some babies dislike being unwrapped, as they can feel unsupported and unsafe. You could keep your baby wrapped up in a towel until the last minute, if that helps soothe them.

6. Lower your little one slowly into the water so they don't feel as though they're falling. It might help to hold their arms by their sides while you lower them.

7. Lift your baby into the water with one arm behind their shoulders and neck, holding their outside arm with your hand. This helps keep their head supported. Place your other hand under their bottom. Once their bottom is resting on the floor of the bath, you can free that hand to wash them.

8. You can gently splash the warm water over your little one to wash them and their hair if you want. Keep your baby's head clear of the water. Use the other hand to swish the water over them without splashing.

9. When you finish washing your little one, get a firm grip on them as they will be slippery. You can slip your free arm back under their bottom and hold their legs, then lift them out onto the towel.

10. Dry your baby carefully, paying particular attention to any skin folds.

If you want to massage your baby, after a bath can be good time. Massage can help your baby relax and sleep. Avoid using lotions or oils until they are at least one month old.

You may find it helpful to do an NCT baby massage class with other parents with babies of a similar age to yours.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

NHS Choices Birth to Five section.

Public Health England (PHE) provides guidelines about bathing children under two safely.

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Baby bath time: a 10-step guide | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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Giving your baby a bath can be fun and a great bonding experience. But it can also make you feel nervous, especially if you're bathing your baby for the first time. These tips should give you confidence and help wash away your fears. 1.

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https://www.babycentre.co.uk/c560738/buying-for-your-baby

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good advice on choosing equipment and clothing for baby

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Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby's development and yours throughout your pregnancy.

With your permission, we'll send you information about our products and services based on what you're looking for via email, our apps, and our site. You can change your mind and withdraw your permission at any time. Different countries may have different data-protection rules than your own. By clicking the "TRACK MY BABY" button, you agree to transferring your information to countries outside of the one you live in, including the United States. You may withdraw your permission at any time. When you register on our site, we will use your information to make sure we are sending you the content that's most helpful to you. Registering also lets you be a part of our Community and other member-to-member parts of our site. Because the content you submit in the interactive parts of our site will be available to all our users and may be available to the general public, please do not provide personal or confidential information. For more details read our Privacy Policy.

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Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby's development and yours throughout your pregnancy. With your permission, we'll send you information about our products and services based on what you're looking for via email, our apps, and our site. You can change your mind and withdraw your permission at any time.

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Paul Harrison for BabyCenter

In this article

Why does my baby need tummy time?

Tummy time is a great way to encourage your baby to get moving and start building the strong muscles in their upper body that they'll need to control their head, roll over and crawl (NHS nd, HAWC nd).

If you place your newborn on your chest, you can use tummy time to bond with your baby too. It's the perfect opportunity for lots of cuddles and gazing into each other's faces (AAP 2013). An ideal time to try it is when you're doing skin-to-skin with your baby.

If your baby has lots of tummy time while they're awake and alert it will help them to develop gross motor skills, which are the physical skills they need to get moving (HAWC nd). It's also a great way to encourage your baby to play and learn (AAP 2013).

How will tummy time help my baby?

Tummy time has lots of benefits for your growing baby. Lying on their front helps them to strengthen their back, neck and shoulders. As they get older, they will start trying to push up from the tummy position and straighten their arms. From there they may be able to roll over and start to crawl (Sheridan 2014).

Tummy time will strengthen your baby's neck muscles, which will give them greater head control. This means that they'll be able to look up and around them. Being able to see things around them will develop your baby's coordination and their ability to follow things with their eyes (AAP 2013).

If your baby spends a lot of time lying on their back, their head can become slightly flatter on one side. Tummy time can help to prevent and treat this flat area by taking the pressure off your baby's head (CNS 2016). This may help it develop into a more rounded shape.

Tummy time may also help to reduce developmental delays in babies with congenital disorders, such as Down's syndrome. One small study found that babies with Down's syndrome developed motor skills faster if they had tummy time, than babies who didn't (Wentz 2017).

When can I start giving my baby tummy time?

Your baby can start having a small amount of tummy time soon after they're born (AAP 2013). The earlier you start, the more quickly your baby will get used to being in that position. You don't need to wait until your baby's umbilical cord stump has fallen off and healed (AAP 2013). Just make sure they're on a soft blanket, if you're doing tummy time on the floor.

Put your newborn baby on your stomach or chest while you're awake and lying back on a chair, a bed, or the floor. Make yourself comfortable with a pillow behind your head and spend time talking to your baby and making lots of eye contact.

Try to give your baby some tummy time every day. Start with just a couple of minutes, two or three times a day, and gradually build up the amount of time your baby lies on their front (AAP 2017).

It's a good idea to add a minute onto each tummy time session, every three or four days (HAWC nd). If your baby gets tired or looks like they aren't enjoying it, then stop.

Work up to around 40 minutes to 60 minutes of tummy time each day (AOTA 2013). It doesn't have to be all at once - 6 sessions of 10 minutes counts too! If your baby loves tummy time and is happy to play on his front for longer, change their position regularly - about every 15 or 20 minutes (AAP 2013).

Always supervise your baby's tummy time, and never put your baby onto their tummy while they're asleep, even for short naps (AAP 2017). Sleeping on their tummy may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death), though this is rare (NHS 2015). Always put your baby down to sleep on their back (NHS 2015).

What if my baby doesn't like being on their tummy?

Some babies don't like being on their tummy at first. Being in this new position can be a strange experience for them. If you find they get fussy during tummy time, try one of these tips:

Use skin-to-skin time as tummy-to-tummy time! Hold and cuddle your baby against your chest, gaze into their eyes and listen to the beating of each other's hearts.

Lay your baby on their tummy on your lap. Or you can try the rugby hold. Lay your little one on their tummy across your forearm, and use your other arm to support them.

Place a pillow, small towel or blanket under your baby's chest to help them lift their head. You can also buy tummy time mats with a padded roll included. This will help them see more of what's going on around them.

Put out some toys that your baby can grab. The noisier the better! Try rattles or squeaky toys that they can shake or squeeze.

Talk, sing and play with your baby while they're on their tummy. They'll love watching your face and listening to your voice.

If it's warm enough, let your baby have tummy time naked or with just a vest and nappy. Put blankets with different textures underneath them. They'll enjoy the feel of different materials on their skin.

Try a little tummy time when you're doing other activities with your baby, such as drying them after bath time or changing their nappy.

Put a plastic mirror in front of your baby so that they can see themselves. It will encourage them to practice lifting their head and pushing up on their arms.
(AOTA 2013, AAP 2013, APCP nd, UAB 2006, NHS nd)

How can I encourage my baby to move during tummy time?

At first, your baby won't be able to move much. But you can still encourage them to start wriggling their arms and legs, and moving their head.

While your baby is lying on their tummy, get down to their level so that they know you are nearby. Keep talking, making funny noises, or singing to them while they lay on their stomach. This will encourage them to start trying to move their head to see you. They may also try to move their arms and legs in delight at the funny sounds their mummy or daddy is making!

When your baby is around three months old, they may start trying to push up on their arms (Sheridan 2014). To encourage them, wave a favourite toy just above them. They may look up and use their arms to raise themselves up towards the toy.

As your baby nears six months, their arms, shoulders, and back will be much stronger (Sheridan 2014).

Now you can start holding an object at their eye level, but a short distance away. This will encourage your baby to fully straighten their arms and try to reach out for the toy (AOTA 2013). Make sure you don't hold the toy too far away, though. The fun-factor will be lost if you make the game too frustrating.

Pick times when your baby is fed, contented and alert. A hungry or grizzly baby's mood will not be improved by this strange, new experience.

My baby has reflux, how should I give them tummy time?

If your baby has reflux, tummy time may be uncomfortable for them. Speak to your GP or health visitor for advice about ways to make tummy time more comfortable (AAP 2017).

Learn more about what to expect in your baby's first year with our video on baby development.

References

AAP. 2013. Tummy time activities. American Academy of Pediatrics. www.healthychildren.org. [Accessed June 2018]

AAP 2017 Back to sleep; tummy to play. American Academy of Pediatrics. www.healthychildren.org. [Accessed June 2018]

AOTA. 2013. Establishing tummy time routines to enhance your baby's development. Amercian Occupational Therapy Association. www.aota.org. [pdf file, accessed June 2018]

APCP. 2016. Tummy time: Tummy to play everyday. Association of Pediatric Chartered Physiotherapists. apcp.csp.org.uk [Accessed June 2018]

CNS. 2016. Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Positional Plagiocephaly. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. www.cns.org. [Accessed June 2018]

CPS. 2012. Healthy active living: Physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents. Canadian Paediatric Society. www.cps.ca [Accessed June 2018]

HAWC. Nd. Tummy time play. Paediatric Physiotherapy Worcestershire Children's Health Services. www.hacw.nhs.uk. [Accessed June 2018]

NHS nd. Baby moves. NHS, Start4Life. www.nhs.uk [pdf file, accessed June 2018]

NHS 2016. Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly (flat head syndrome). NHS Choices A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2018]

NHS 2015. Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). NHS Choices A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2018]

Sheridan M. 2014. From birth to five years: children's developmental progress. London: Routledge

UAB 2006. Tummy time tools. University of Alabama Birmingham. www.uab.edu. [pdf file, accessed June 2018]

Wentz E. 2017. Importance of Initiating a "Tummy Time" Intervention Early in Infants With Down Syndrome. Pediatric Physical Therapy: January 2017 - Volume 29 - Issue 1 - p 68-75

Joanne Lewsley is a freelance copywriter and editor, and specialises in creating evidence-based parenting, health and lifestyle web content.

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Tummy time is an easy way to help your baby to develop. Find out more about the benefits of tummy time and how to do it. If your baby doesn't like tummy time, find tips and advice on making it more fun.

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what your baby might be trying to tell you

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what your baby might be trying to tell you

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About baby cues and body language

Your baby's body language can tell you how your baby is feeling and what they need from you.

Your baby's body language gives you important cues about whether your baby is:

Why it's important to respond to baby cues

When you notice your baby's body language and respond to it, your baby feels safe and secure. This helps you to build a strong relationship with your baby. And a strong relationship with you and other main caregivers is vital to your baby's development.

Recognising baby cues

All babies give cues to how they're feeling and what they need from you. But each baby develops their own mix of signs to tell you how they're feeling and what they want.

And as you and your baby get to know each other, you'll begin to recognise their cues and figure out the best way to respond to your baby's individual cues. For example, your grizzling baby might look relaxed when you smile at them, or they might seem to like it better when you sing and talk to them. This helps you know how to respond the next time your baby grizzles.

Understanding your baby's cues can take practice, and there'll be times when you don't know what your baby wants. At those times, it's good to remember that warm and gentle responses from you help your baby feel safe. Your responses also build your relationship with your baby.

Watch the video to learn more about baby cues.

If your baby is unwell, they might cry, seem listless or pale, have a fever or show other signs like a rash.

Baby cues that say 'I'm tired'

Tired signs in babies include:

staring into the distance

jerky movements

yawning

fussing

sucking fingers

losing interest in people or toys.

Watch the video to see what these cues look like in real babies.

When you recognise tired signs in your baby, it's a good idea to start settling baby for sleep.

Baby cues that say 'I'm hungry'

When your baby is hungry, they might:

make sucking noises

turn towards the breast.

Watch the video to see what hunger cues look like in real babies.

Baby cues that say 'I want to play'

Cues that your baby is ready to play with you include:

eyes wide and bright

eye contact with you

smiles

smooth movements

hands reaching out to you.

Watch the video to see more signs that your baby is ready to play and to see these baby cues in action.

When you recognise 'ready to play' signs in your baby, it's a good time to smile and talk to your baby. Baby play is simple: it's all about the interactions between you and your baby.

Baby cues that say 'I need a break'

Babies who are 4 months and older might not always be ready for a nap after their play time. Sometimes they might want a change of pace or activity instead. So what do these baby cues look like?

If your baby wants a break from what they're doing right now, they might:

turn their head away from you

squirm or kick.

Watch the video to see more signs that your baby wants to change activity and to see these baby cues in action.

When you recognise 'ready for a break' signs in your baby, it's a good idea to give your baby some quiet time or a different activity. For example, if your baby turns their head away from the rattle you're showing them, you could lie your baby on their back to look at a mobile for a while.

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Baby cues and baby body language: video guide

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Baby body language gives cues to whether babies are tired or hungry, want to play or need a break. Our guide has videos so you can see baby cues in action.

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What is the Period of PURPLE Crying program?

The Period of PURPLE Crying program is an evidence-based shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) prevention program available since 2007. The program has two aims:

1. To support parents and caregivers in their understanding of early increased infant crying
2. To reduce the incidence of SBS/AHT

The program approaches SBS/AHT and infant abuse prevention by helping parents and caregivers understand the frustrating features of crying in normal, healthy infants that can lead to shaking or abuse. The program provides the opportunity for parents to learn about the crying characteristics from over 50 years of research on normal infant crying conducted by Dr. Ronald G. Barr, and other scientists worldwide.

Research

Over the last several years, the body of scientific research with the Period of PURPLE Crying has grown significantly. The NCSBS and our partners are committed to continuing to improve and strengthen the PURPLE program through on-going evaluation. Continued research with the program is what drives many of the changes and enhancements that are made to the program content and to the model. Our overall aim is build a program that is highly effective in improving parents and caregivers understanding of normal infant crying and ultimately reduce the incidence of SBS/AHT.

The following is a list of published research with the Period of PURPLE Crying. This list continues to grow, so check back often for new published research.

Randomized Control Trials

Barr, R. G., Rivara, F. P., Barr, M., Cummings, P., Taylor, J., Lengua, L. J., & Meredith-Benitz, E. (2009). Effectiveness of Educational Materials Designed to Change Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Crying and Shaken-Baby Syndrome in Mothers of Newborns: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Pediatrics, 123(3), 972-980.

Barr, R. G., Barr, M., Fujiwara, T., Conway, J., Catherine, N., & Brant, R. (2009). Do educational materials change knowledge and behaviour about crying and shaken baby syndrome? A randomized controlled trial. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 180(7), 727-733.

Fujiwara, T., Yamada, F., Okuyama, M., Kamimaki, I., Shikoro, N., & Barr, R. G. (2012). Effectiveness of educational materials designed to change knowledge and behavior about crying and shaken baby syndrome: A replication of a randomized controlled trial in Japan. Child Abuse & Neglect, 36(9), 613-620.

Other Research with the Period of PURPLE Crying

Barr, R. G., Barr, M., Rajabali, F. et al. (2019). Eight-year outcome of implementation of abusive head trauma prevention. Child Abuse & Neglect, 84.

Nocera, M., Shanahan, M., Murphy, R. A., Sullivan, K. M., Barr, M., Price, J., & Zolotor, A. (2015). A statewide nurse training program for a hospital based infant abusive head trauma prevention program. Nurse Education in Practice, 16(1).

Zolotor, A. J., Runyan, D. K., Shanahan, M., Durrance, C. P., Nocera, M., Sullivan, K., . . . Barr, R. G. (2015). Effectiveness of a Statewide Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program in North Carolina. JAMA Pediatrics, 169(12), 1126.

Barr, R. G., Rajabali, F., Aragon, M., Colbourne, M., & Brant, R. (2015). Education About Crying in Normal Infants Is Associated with a Reduction in Pediatric Emergency Room Visits for Crying Complaints. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 36(4), 252-257.

Beaulieu, E., Rajabali, F., Zheng, A., Pike, I. (2019) The lifetime costs of pediatric abusive head trauma and a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Period of Purple crying program in British Columbia, Canada Child Abuse & Neglect, 97.

Stewart, T. C., Gilliland, J., Parry, N. G., & Fraser, D. D. (2015). An evidence-based method for targeting an abusive head trauma prevention media campaign and its evaluation. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 79(5), 748-755.

Barr, R. G., Fairbrother, N., Pauwels, J., Green, J., Chen, M., & Brant, R. (2014). Maternal frustration, emotional and behavioural responses to prolonged infant crying. Infant Behavior and Development, 37(4), 652-664.

Barr, R. G. (2012). Preventing abusive head trauma resulting from a failure of normal interaction between infants and their caregivers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109 (Supplement_2), 17294-17301.

Stewart, T. C., Polgar, D., Gilliland, J., Tanner, D. A., Girotti, M. J., Parry, N., & Fraser, D. D. (2011). Shaken Baby Syndrome and a Triple-Dose Strategy for Its Prevention. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 71(6), 1801-1807.

Shanahan, M. E., Nocera, M., Zolotor, A. J., Sellers, C. J., & Runyan, D. K. (2011). Education on Abusive Head Trauma in North Carolina Hospitals. Child Abuse Rev. Child Abuse Review, 20(4), 290-297.

Stewart, T. C., Polgar, D., Gilliland, J., Tanner, D. A., Girotti, M. J., Parry, N., & Fraser, D. D. (2011). Shaken Baby Syndrome and a Triple-Dose Strategy for Its Prevention. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 71(6), 1801-1807.

Zolotor, A. (2010). Preventing Child Maltreatment in North Carolina. North Carolina Medical Journal, 71(6), 553-555.

Runyan, D. K., Hennink-Kaminski, H. J., Zolotor, A. J., Barr, R. G., Murphy, R. A., Barr, M., . . . Nocera, M. (2009). Designing and Testing a Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Program - The Period of PURPLE Crying: Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina. Social Marketing Quarterly, 15(4), 2-24.

Hennink-Kaminski, H. J., & Dougall, E. K. (2009). Tailoring Hospital Education Materials for The Period of PURPLE Crying: Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina Media Campaign. Social Marketing Quarterly, 15(4), 49-64.

Hennink-Kaminski, H. J., & Dougall, E. K. (2009). Myths, Mysteries, and Monsters: When Shaken Babies Make the News. Social Marketing Quarterly, 15(4), 25-48.

Parent Focus Groups

Focus Groups on Period of PURPLE Crying© Program PURPLE Video and Booklet Material:
In 2004, Dan Jones and Associates of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA were hired to conduct the United States Parent Focus Groups on the PURPLE materials. The primary purpose was to obtain in-depth understanding about attitudes regarding infant crying, what people know about SBS, and how new parents cope with incessant crying by their infants.

A total of six focus group sessions were conducted on September 28 - 29, 2004. Prospective participants were screened to ensure that they had infants six months old or younger. A total of 63 people participated in the research: 42 new moms and 21 new dads. Males and females were separated by groups and represented a broad range of socio-economical and geographical areas within the Salt Lake City, Utah metropolitan area.

Canadian Parent Focus Groups: Prevent SBS British Columbia also coordinated the evaluation of the PURPLE educational materials from the National Center on Shaken Baby syndrome for their suitability to the Canadian culture in 2004. Samsara Communications was hired to facilitate the focus group presentations, to train project personnel to appropriately handle the comments from participants, and to elicit feedback from participants. MTM Research was hired to analyze the results and report the key findings.

In order to meet the objectives, 8 focus group sessions were conducted between June 1st and November 16th, 2004 throughout the Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley Health regions. These areas included Chilliwack, Duncan, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, and Vancouver. A total of 66 parents (59 mothers, 6 fathers, and 1 elder) representing various backgrounds of race, economic status and family makeup participated. Participants were biological or adoptive parents of infants <6 months old (excluding the elder) and were proficient in spoken and written English.

Focus Groups on the Period of PURPLE Crying Program's Crying, Soothing and Coping: Doing What Comes Naturally Video:
In 2011, three focus groups were conducted to gather feedback on the feelings and perceptions of the narrations and content for the newly developed supplemental film on soothing and coping strategies called Crying, Soothing and Coping: Doing What Comes Naturally. The focus groups were held in Chicago, Salt Lake City and Atlanta. The focus groups in Chicago and Atlanta were conducted by Beall Research and Training. In Chicago, the focus group consisted of 12 fathers with children under two years of age. The age of participants ranged from 23 to 47. In Atlanta, the focus group consisted of 12 mothers with children under two years of age. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 39. Dan Jones and Associates conducted the Salt Lake City focus group that consisted of 9 mothers with children under the age of two. All focus groups were made up of individuals with diverse social, socio-economic, nationality and educational backgrounds.

The feedback from these three focus groups allowed the NCSBS to refine the content and narration to ensure the film was acceptable and helpful to a wide range of parents and caregivers. A full report on the focus groups conducted for the Crying, Soothing and Coping film is available from the NCSBS upon request.

Focus Groups on Period of PURPLE Crying Program Translations:
Translation Focus Group Testing: Prevent SBS British Columbia and the NCSBS staff have coordinated focus groups in the process of translating the PURPLE materials into several languages. The goal of the translation project for the Period of PURPLE Crying is to receive a culturally sensitive, accurately translated product that keeps the clarity and cohesiveness of the message.

There were additional measures added to ensure our specific translation project received the highest quality product. First, an initial focus group made up of five qualified and working healthcare interpreters analyzed the materials in order to provide suggestions to the translator in difficult areas. Secondly, once the unilingual parent focus group had viewed the product in the subject language and adjustments were made, an English back translation was requested from a separate translator with no previous knowledge of the product.

Translation focus groups will continue to occur with each new language chosen. As of June 23, 2016, the program has been translated into the following languages: Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish (Mexican-dialect), Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, French, Portuguese (Brazilian Dialect), Somali and Arabic. Through the process it has become very apparent that the program messages are relevant to all parents, of all kinds of families in all the cultures included in this process. It was a very rewarding process to know the program was valued by so many.

Contact

National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
1433 N 1075 W, Suite 110
Farmington, Utah 84025

office: (801) 447-9360
fax: (801) 447-9364

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National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome - PURPLE Crying

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The Period of PURPLE Crying program is an evidence-based shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) prevention program available since 2007. The program has two aims: 1. To support parents and caregivers in their understanding of early increased infant crying2.

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This leaflet offers helpful, practical advice to parents on looking after their baby at night.

The resource covers a range of topics including getting some rest, night feeding, safe sleeping environments and helping baby to settle. It is endorsed by the Lullaby Trust, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA).

Caring For Your Baby At Night: A Guide for Parents

Printed copies are available for £15 per pack (1-9 packs) or £11 per pack (10 or more packs). There are 50 leaflets per pack and this price includes P&P within UK. Order using the Baby Friendly Resources order form, which you can download from our Resources page.

Our accompanying health professionals' guide supports professionals who will be using Caring For Your Baby At Night with new parents. It looks at the evidence underpinning the recommendations in the leaflet and offers guidance on discussing these issues.

2017 update: following feedback from clinicians, this leaflet has been updated to include an illustration of lying down breastfeeding.

Health professional's guide to Caring for your baby at night

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Caring for your baby at night leaflet - Baby Friendly Initiative

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The resource covers a range of topics including getting some rest, night feeding, safe sleeping environments and helping baby to settle. It is endorsed by the Lullaby Trust, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA).

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Excellent evidence based information  on safe sleeping and evidence sleeping patterns 

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Excellent evidence based information  on safe sleeping and evidence sleeping patterns 

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The baby sleep
info source

For parents who wish to make informed
choices about infant sleep and night-time care.

About us

Welcome to Baby Sleep Info

This website presents research evidence about biologically normal sleep for human babies.

We discuss how infant sleep may vary due to cultural behaviours and expectations such as what babies are fed, where they sleep, and how we interpret their needs. This information is for:

parents who wish to make informed choices about infant sleep and night-time care

health practitioners who wish to share evidence-based information with parents about infant sleep.

Basis does not address clinical sleep problems or provide individual sleep advice and parents should contact a health practitioner with any concerns about their baby's health. For information about the organisations and funding that support Basis please see ' About Us '

Get the App

The Infant Sleep Info App provides key information from the Basis website in a handy format for mobile devices. Covering normal sleep development, sleep location and sleep safety the familiar info from the website is delivered in smaller chunks. Two features are exclusive to the app.

Get it Now

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Research-based information on baby sleep for parents and practitioners, covering normal infant sleep, sleep safety, where and how babies sleep, SIDS and SUDI, parental sleep and free resources.

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A survival guide for the science-minded parent

© 2008 - 2017 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved

As every parent knows, the world of newborn sleep is exotic and strange. They rack up lots of sleep overall, averaging 16-18 hours a day during the first two weeks. Yet they awaken frequently, and rarely sleep more than 4 hours at a stretch, even at night. Their internal clocks aren't yet synchronized with the external, 24-hour day.

It's a recipe for exhaustion, but understanding the science of sleep can help you cope, and avoid mistakes that can delay your child's development of more mature sleep rhythms.

In this article, you'll learn about

fundamental differences between newborn sleep and adult sleep;

circadian rhythms, and how you can help your baby get in sync with the natural day;

sleep cycles in the newborn, and how to work around them;

tips for preventing newborns from waking up; and

advice for improving your own sleep.

Throughout, I focus on babies under four weeks of age. For information about older infants, see my article on baby sleep patterns.

If you are looking for information about newborn sleep safety, see these science-based tips for reducing the risk of SIDS.

Newborn sleep patterns: Are there any?

To the sleepless parent, newborn sleep might seem totally disorganized. For example, consider these points.

1. Newborns never sleep for long.

Newborns sleep in short bouts-typically ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours-at seemingly random times throughout the day and night.

2. Newborns awaken easily.

In part, this is because they spend a large portion of their sleep time in "active sleep," a light sleep state characterized by fluttering eyelids; rapid, irregular breathing; occasional body movements; and vocalizations (grunts or brief cries).

3. Newborn sleep times can vary widely.

In the first few days, the average newborn sleeps between 16-18 hours a day (Iglowstein et al 2002). By four weeks, newborn sleep averages about 14 hours. But the range is considerable. Some four-week-old babies sleep as little as 9 out of 24 hours. Others sleep for 19 hours a day (Iglowstein et al 2002).

If your baby doesn't fit the typical profile, does that mean something is wrong?

Not necessarily. Some babies suffer from medical conditions that influence the way they sleep, so if you have concerns you should discuss them with your medical provider. But it appears that many healthy, normal newborns deviate several hours from the average duration of sleep.

Newborn sleep rhythms: Why newborns seem to sleep-and wake-around the clock

The timing of adult sleep is governed by circadian rhythms--physiological changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Many of these changes are influenced by your exposure to light.

For instance, when you expose yourself to sunlight during the day, you are helping your body calibrate it's internal clock. Even if you are sleep-deprived, morning light helps ensure that you will be more alert during the day than you are at night.

Conversely, the absence of light at night helps your body wind down. When darkness falls, your brain interprets this as a signal to start producing melatonin, a hormone that triggers relaxation, paving the way for sleep.

You can easily disrupt this process by exposing yourself to artificial light sources in the evening -- especially sources of blue light ( Wahnschaffe et al 2013). But as long as you stick with the program -- bright light during the day, and darkness at night -- you will likely find yourself in sync with the natural, 24-hour day.

And of course most adults are. But it's different for newborns. N ewborn sleep is not governed by strong circadian rhythms.

It doesn't start that way. During pregnancy, fetuses are tuned into their mothers' physiological cues about day and night.

Fetal heart and respiratory rates speed up when Mom is active and slow down when she is sleeping (Mirmiran et al 2003). Such changes may be influenced by maternal hormones, particularly melatonin. Maternal melatonin passes through the placenta, and may direct the fetus' internal clock (Torres-Farfan et al 2006).

But after birth, this intimate hormonal connection is broken. Newborns must develop their own circadian rhythms of hormone production.

Unfortunately for us, this takes time (Kennaway 1996), and the process is complicated by the fact that newborns need to feed every few hours. As a result, n ewborn s leep episodes tend to be brief, and spaced at fairly regular intervals around the clock.

When do babies develop mature circadian rhythms?
12 weeks or more is typical -- but even very young babies can begin to adapt

Most infants take about 12 weeks to show day-night rhythms in the production of melatonin (Rivkees 2003). Circadian changes in cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate alertness, may take even longer to emerge (Rivkees 2003). And, overall, babies may take 3-5 months before they "settle" at night--meaning that they sleep for more than 5 hours at a stretch (Jenni et al 2006; Pinilla and Birch 1993).

Nevertheless, newborn sleep isn't completely divorced from the natural rhythms of the 24-hour day. Studies show that circadian rhythms begin developing in the first days after birth.

For example, German and Japanese studies have reported that newborns sleep more at night than they do during the day (Freudigman and Thoman 1998; Korte 2004; Matsuoka et al 1991).

And scientific evidence suggests that even newborns are receptive to environmental cues about time. You can take advantage of this fact to help shape newborn sleep patterns.
1. Make your baby a part of your daily routine.
How to help newborns get in sync with the natural, 24-hour day
2. Reduce stimulation at night.
When parents include their newborns in their daily activities, newborn may adapt more rapidly to the 24-hour day (Custodio et al 2007; Lorh et al 1999).

One study took continuous measurements of mother-infant activity patterns for four months after birth. Newborns who were active at the same time of day as their mothers were quicker to develop mature circadian rhythms (Wulff and Siegmund 2002).

When your baby wakes for night time feedings, keep activity to a minimum. Make as little noise as possible, and avoid moving your baby around. Ideally, you want to avoid waking her "all the way up." But if that isn't possible, at least try to minimize the hustle and bustle. You want the baby to learn that nighttime is for sleep and quiet.

3. Expose your newborn to natural lighting patterns.

Light cues might not instantly synchronize newborn sleep patterns, but they help. In a study of preterm infants kept in hospital wards, babies exposed to natural lighting patterns--brighter during the day, darker during the night--adapted to the 24-hour cycle more quickly than those exposed to constant, low levels of light (Rivkees et al 2004).

In another study of full-term infants, babies exposed to more sunlight during the afternoon tended to sleep better at night (Harrison 2004).

And time spent outdoors might make an important difference. Babies who go outside experience much higher light levels than those kept indoors all day, and may develop stronger circadian rhythms as a result (Tsai et al 2012).

A recent experiment found that mothers assigned to massage their newborns with lotion at bedtime experienced better newborn sleep outcomes than mothers who massaged without lotion and mothers in a control group who didn't massage at all.

After one month, newborns massaged with lotion were falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, and awakening at night less often. Mothers using lotion actually massaged their infants more frequently, which may explain the results (Field et al 2016). An earlier study found that infant massage helped newborns develop more mature patterns of melatonin secretion (Ferber 2002).

The takeaway? More research is needed on this topic (Bennett et al 2013), but meanwhile, this seems worth a try.

5. Consider keeping track of the time of day you extract breast milk for future use.

Breast milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that is used by the body to manufacture melatonin. Tryptophan levels rise and fall according to maternal circadian rhythms, and when infants consume tryptophan before bedtime, they fall asleep faster (Steinberg et al 1992).

It's therefore possible that breastfeeding helps newborn sleep patterns synchronize with the 24-hour day (Cubero et al 2005). This hypothesis was tested by feeding infants formula fortified with varying concentrations of tryptophan. When infants were given low levels of tryptophan during the day and high concentrations at night (mimicking the natural fluctuations of breast milk), infants fell asleep faster at night and got more sleep overall (Cubero et al 2007).

Newborn sleep cycles: Why newborns are light sleepers
Newborn sleep is also characterized by sleep stages and cycles, but there are crucial differences.
When adults first fall asleep, we pass through a couple of light sleep stages, and then plunge into a bout of deep sleep.

Afterwards, we switch into REM, or "rapid eye movement" sleep, a sleep stage famous for its association with dreaming, and the loss of muscle tone. We don't move much during REM.

When REM is over, we either awaken, or return to light sleep and begin the cycle again. For the average adult, a single sleep cycle lasts about 90-100 minutes. We may partially awaken many times during the night. But we're more likely to wake up "all the way" during transitions between stages, during light sleep, and during REM.

First, babies typically begin their sleep bouts in the newborn equivalent of REM (sometimes called "active sleep").

Second, newborns in REM don't usually experience muscle atonia. Unlike us, they may thrash around, stretch, twitch, and even vocalize. The results can fool parents into thinking their babies are waking up, when they are actually experiencing normal REM sleep.

Third, newborn sleep cycles are shorter -- around 50-55 minutes for the average infant -- and REM makes up a much bigger proportion of sleep. It's not unusual for newborns to spend more than half their total sleep time in REM (Grigg-Damberger 2016). Indeed, several studies suggest that, over the course of a 24 hour day, some newborns spent may spend as much as 75% of their sleep time in active sleep (e.g., Poblano et al 2007; Sadeh et al 1996).

Fourth, while newborns do experience something roughly analogous to deep sleep, this stage, called "quiet sleep," is potentially dangerous. Characterized by slower, more rhythmic breathing, quiet sleep appears more restful ( Grigg-Damberger 2016) . But it's harder for babies to awaken from quiet sleep, which can cause trouble if the baby isn't getting enough oxygen.

This may explain why newborns don't oblige exhausted parents by lapsing into long periods of deep sleep. It's too risky. Instead, the typical 50-55 minute newborn sleep cycle includes only about 20 minutes of quiet sleep. The rest of the time, babies are either in REM or in "transitional sleep," a rather restless state that looks like a mash-up of active and quiet sleep, and which scientists don't yet understand (Grigg-Damberget 2016).

Put this all together, and you can see why parents feel their babies are such light (and erratic) sleepers. Like adults, newborns are more likely to awaken during REM, and during transitions between sleep stages. But unlike adults, newborns spend a lot more time in REM, and they transition between cycles more frequently.

And parents may sometimes mistake REM restlessness for waking -- and attempt to interact with or soothe a baby at the wrong time. In short, there are lots of opportunities for babies to wake up -- or get awakened unnecessarily.

This sounds like a raw deal for parents. But newborns probably benefit from being light sleepers. Having a low threshold of arousal may protect babies from SIDS, and active sleep might be crucial for a newborn's brain development (Heraghty et al 2008; Seigel 2005).

And if we understand the peculiar nature of newborn REM, we can learn to avoid jumping in too soon when we think a baby is awakening or signalling for us.

A baby who seems to be waking up may, if left alone, go back to sleep very rapidly.
2. Tank up the baby before you go to sleep.
How to keep your light sleeper from waking up all the way

1. Don't rush in the moment you think your baby has awakened.

As noted above, babies experience frequent arousals, but that doesn't mean they are doomed to wake up "all the way" every few minutes. Babies often jerk, sigh, or vocalize during partial arousals. If you avoid stimulating them during these moments, they may go back to sleep on their own.

Whether you breastfeed or bottle-fed, try to give the baby an especially large meal before your own bedtime. This will encourage your baby to sleep longer.

3. If you feed your baby formula, try to find one that includes DHA.
4. Check out my article on baby sleep aids.
DHA is a fatty acid found in fish oil and other dietary sources. It's important for brain development, and may play a role in shaping sleep patterns as well.

In one study, children who consumed low levels of DHA had reduced amount of slow-wave (deep) sleep (Faglioli et al 1989). In another study, pregnant women with higher blood levels of DHA gave birth to babies who spent more time in quiet sleep (Cheruku et al 2002).

DHA is found in breast milk, so it's plausible (though unproven) that boosting a nursing mother's DHA intake could improve a newborn's sleep patterns. If you use formula, it seems like a good idea to find a baby formula that contains DHA.

There you'll find tips for improving newborn sleep, and avoiding practices that are either unhelpful or potentially hazardous.

What about you? Tips for improving your own sleep

But recent research confirms that all naps are not the same. When you're sleep deprived, the brain compensates by rendering naps more restorative than usual.
Newborn sleep patterns take their toll on parents. In a study tracking the sleep patterns of mothers from pregnancy through the postpartum period, maternal sleep worsened after childbirth and continued to deteriorate until about 12 weeks postpartum (Kang et al 2002)--the time when newborn sleep patterns begin to show marked circadian rhythms (Nishihara et al 2000).

Twelve weeks isn't forever, but it can seem like it when you are severely sleep restricted. As you struggle to cope with newborn sleep patterns, don't forget to look after yourself. Here are some tips to help you cope.

1. Appreciate the power of a 30-minute nap

When you're running up an enormous sleep debt, you might think a 30-minute nap will make little difference to your health.

In one study, volunteers permitted to sleep only 2 hours at night showed the typical abnormalities in their stress hormone and immune factor chemistry. But after just two 30-minute naps, those irregularities were entirely normalized (Faraut et al 2015b).

In another study, volunteers coping with a 2-hour nightly regimen experienced heightened pain sensitivity -- a common symptom of sleep deprivation. But once again, the effect was reversed after just two 30-minute naps (Faraut et al 2015a).

2. Don't assume that it's pointless to lie down if you don't fall asleep. You might pass into a state of drowsy, semi-conscious sleep -- and reap some benefits.

Too wired to "sleep when the baby sleeps"? If so, keep in mind that quiet resting is better than nothing. In fact, if you are lying down with your eyes closed, you might be asleep without realizing it.

In numerous lab studies, subjects who were awakened from the first stage of sleep often denied that they were asleep at all (Dement and Vaughan 1999). A nap that consists only of stage 1 sleep might not help you improve your reaction times, but it will probably make you feel less tired. And if you manage to slip into the second stage of sleep -- even for just 3 minutes -- your nap may have recuperative effects (Hayashi et al 2005).

3. Don't play the blame game.

Brooding about the situation will make it harder for you to fall asleep when you are given the opportunity. And it's wrong-headed, too: You might be doing everything you can to get more sleep, and still be stuck with a baby who sleeps less than average.

Research suggests that the amount of sleep we get at night is strongly influenced by genetics (Touchette et al 2013), and, as mentioned above, there is a lot of individual variation among newborns.

4. Don't assume that breastfeeding will make you more sleepless than formula feeding.

One study reported that the parents of breastfed babies averaged 40-45 minutes more sleep time than did the parents of formula-fed babies (Doan et al 2007).

5. If you are breastfeeding, you are likely to get more sleep if you keep your baby nearby.

The World Health Organization recommends that babies share a bedroom with their parents, and it's a recommendation that makes breastfeeding less disruptive. A recent study found that breastfeeding women got more sleep when they co-slept with baby (Quillin and Glenn 2004). In fact, mothers who co-slept and breastfed got more sleep than did mothers who bottle-fed their babies (Quillin and Glenn 2004).

6. If your baby is asleep, don't worry about changing diapers.

If your baby can't sleep because she needs a diaper change, she'll let you know. And a little urine is unlikely to awaken her anyway. In a recent experiment, researchers injected water into the diapers of sleeping infants to see if this would wake them up (Zotter et al 2007). It didn't.

7. Get sunlight and avoid artificial lighting at night.

Make sure you expose yourself and your baby to bright light during the day. And keep lights out--or at least dimmed--after sunset.

As noted above, natural lighting helps influence newborn sleep patterns. But it also helps you keep your own circadian rhythms from drifting, which is important if you are going avoid insomnia and be a source of daytime cues for your newborn.

8. Let a friend or family member watch your baby while you take a nap, even if this means your breastfed baby will take some meals from a bottle.

Lactation experts often discourage breastfeeding mothers from bottle feeding babies for the first 3-4 weeks. The worry is that supplemental feeds will lead to a decreased milk supply and endanger successful breastfeeding in the long-term.

But you need to balance this against the negative effects of severe sleep restriction. Lack of sleep puts parents at increased risk of illness and postpartum depression, which is bad for parents and babies. If you are at the end of your rope, get help.

9. Trust your instincts, and get help when you feel stressed

If something feels wrong with you or the baby, talk to your physician. And remember that your own mental health is crucial.

Coping with sleep deprivation is very stressful, especially if your infant seems to be especially fussy or prone to crying. Watch for signs of postpartum stress and postpartum depression, and reach out to others for support.

10. Remember that things will get better

Newborns have special sleep patterns and special needs. But things will start to get better around 12 weeks postpartum.

More reading relevant to newborn sleep

For more information about babies and sleep, see these fully-referenced Parenting Science articles.

References: What scientific studies say about newborn sleep

Anders TF. 1979. Night-waking in infants during the first year of life. Pediatrics 63: 860-864.

Bennett C, Underdown A, and Barlow J. 2013. Massage for promoting mental and physical health in typically developing infants under the age of six months. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Apr 30;4:CD005038. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005038.pub3.

Cheruku SR, Montgomery-Downs HE, Farkas SL, Thoman EB, and Lammi-Keefe CJ. 2002. Higher maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy is associated with more mature neonatal sleep-state patterning. Am J Clin Nutr 76:608-13.

Cubero J, Valero V, Sánchez J, Rivero M, Parvez H, Rodríguez AB, Barriga C. 2005. The circadian rhythm of tryptophan in breast milk affects the rhythms of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and sleep in newborn. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 26(6):657-61.

Cubero J, Narciso D, Terrón P, Rial R, Esteban S, Rivero M, Parvez H, Rodríguez AB, Barriga C. 2007. Chrononutrition applied to formula milks to consolidate infants' sleep/wake cycle. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 28(4):360-6.

Custodio RJ, Junior CE, Milani SL, Simões AL, de Castro M, Moreira AC. 2007. The emergence of the cortisol circadian rhythm in monozygotic and dizygotic twin infants: the twin-pair synchrony. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 66(2):192-7.

Dement W and Vaughan C. 1999. The promise of sleep. New York: Random House.

Doan T, Gardiner A, Gay CL, Lee KA. 2007 Breast-feeding increases sleep duration of new parents. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 21(3):200-6.

Faglioli I, Barconcini P, Ricour C, and Salzarulo P. 1998. Decrease of slow-wave sleep in children with prolonged absence of essential lipids intake. Sleep 12: 495-499.

Faraut B, Léger D, Medkour T, Dubois A, Bayon V, Chennaoui M, Perrot S. 2015a. Napping reverses increased pain sensitivity due to sleep restriction. PLoS One. 10(2):e0117425.

Faraut B, Nakib S, Drogou C, Elbaz M, Sauvet F, De Bandt JP, Léger D. 2015b. Napping reverses the salivary interleukin-6 and urinary norepinephrine changes induced by sleep restriction. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 100(3):E416-26.

Ferber SG, Laudon M, Kuint J, Weller A, Zisapel N. 2002. Massage therapy by mothers enhances the adjustment of circadian rhythms to the nocturnal period in full-term infants. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 23(6):410-5.

Field T, Gonzalez G, Diego M, Mindell J. 2016. Mothers massaging their newborns with lotion versus no lotion enhances mothers' and newborns' sleep. Infant Behav Dev. 45(Pt A):31-37.

Freudigman KA and Thoman EB. 1998. Infants' earliest sleep/wake organization differs as a function of delivery mode. Dev Psychobiol. 32(4):293-303.

Grigg-Damberger MM. 2016. The Visual Scoring of Sleep in Infants 0 to 2 Months of Age. J Clin Sleep Med. 12(3):429-45.

Iglowstein I, Jenni OG, Molinari L, Largo RH. 2003. Sleep duration from infancy to adolescence: Reference values and generational trends. Pediatrics 111(2): 302-307.

Harrison Y. 2004. The relationship between daytime exposure to light and night-time sleep in 6-12-week-old infants. J Sleep Res. 13(4):345-52.

Hayashi M, Motoyoshi N, Hori T. 2005. Recuperative power of a short daytime nap with or without stage 2 sleep. Sleep. 28(7):829-36.

Heraghty JL, Hilliard TN, Henderson AJ, and Fleming PJ. 2008. The physiology of sleep in infants. Arch Dis Child. 2008 Nov;93(11):982-5.

Horne RSC, Parslow PM, Ferens D, Watts AM, and Adamson TM. 2004. Comparison of evoked arousability in breast and formula fed infants. Arch Dis Child 89: 22-25.

Hugelin A. 1982. Mechanisms of respiratory control during sleep and wakefulness: implications in newborn sleep apnoea. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol Suppl. 36:625-30.

Jenni OG, DeBoer T, and Acherman P. 2006. Development of the 24h rest-activity pattern in human infants. Infant behavior and development 29: 143-152.

Kang MJ, Matsumoto K, Shinkoda H, Mishima M, Yeo YJ. 2002. Longitudinal study for sleep-wake behaviours of mothers from pre-partum to post-partum using actigraph and sleep logs. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 56(3):251-2.

Kato I, Franco P, Grosswasser J, Scaillet S, et al. 2003. Incomplete arousal processes in infants who were victims of sudden death. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 168: 1298-1303.

Kennaway DJ, Goble FC and Stamp GE. 1996. Factors influencing the development of melatonin rhythmicity in humans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 81, 1525-1532

Korte J, Hoehn T, Siegmund R. 2004. Actigraphic recordings of activity-rest rhythms of neonates born by different delivery modes. Chronobiol Int. 21(1):95-106

Lohr B, Siegmund R. 1999. Ultradian and circadian rhythms of sleep-wake and food-intake behavior during early infancy. Chonobiology international 16(2): 129-148.

Matsuoka M, Segawa M, and Higurashi M. 1991. The Development of Sleep and Wakefulness Cycle in Early Infancy and Its Relationship to Feeding Habit. The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 165 (2):147-154.

McNamara F, Lijowska AS, and Thach BT. 2002. Spontaneous arousal activity in infants during NREM and REM sleep. J Physiol 538: 263-269.

Mirmiran M, Maas YG, Ariagno RL. 2003. Development of fetal and neonatal sleep and circadian rhythms. Sleep Med Rev. 7(4):321-34.

Nishihara K, Horiuchi S, Eto H, Uchida S. 2000. The development of infants' circadian rest-activity rhythm and mothers' rhythm. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 54(3):305-6

Pinilla T and Birch LL. 1993. Help me make it through the night: Behavioral entrainment of breasfed infants' sleep patterns. Pediatrics 91: 436-444.

Poblano A, Haro R, and Arteaga C. 2007. Neurophysiologic measurement of continuity in the sleep of fetuses during the last week of pregnancy and in newborns. Int J Biol Sci. 4(1):23-8.

Quillin SI and Glenn LL. 2004. Interaction between feeding method and co-sleeping on maternal-newborn sleep. J Obstet gynecol Neonatal Nurs 33(5): 580-588.

Rivkees SA, Mayes L, Jacobs H, Gross I. 2004. Rest-activity patterns of premature infants are regulated by cycled lighting. Pediatrics. 113(4):833-9.

Sadeh A, Dark I, and Vohr BR. 1996. Newborns' sleep-wake patterns: the role of maternal, delivery and infant factors. Early Hum Dev. 44(2):113-26

Siegel JM. 2005. Functional implications of sleep development. PLoS Biology 3(5): 756-758.

Thomas KA and Burr R. 2002. Preterm infant temperature circadian rhythm: possible effect of parental cosleeping. Biol Res Nurs. 3(3):150-9.

Torres-Farfan C, Rocco V, Monsó C, Valenzuela FJ, Campino C, Germain A, Torrealba F, Valenzuela GJ, and Seron-Ferre M. 2006. Maternal melatonin effects on clock gene expression in a nonhuman primate fetus. Endocrinology. 147(10):4618-26.

Touchette E, Dionne G, Forget-Dubois N, Petit D, Pérusse D, Falissard B, Tremblay RE, Boivin M, and Montplaisir JY. 2013. Genetic and environmental influences on daytime and nighttime sleep duration in early childhood. Pediatrics 131(6):e1874-80.

Tsai SY, Thomas KA, Lentz MJ, Barnard KE.2012. Light is beneficial for infant circadian entrainment: an actigraphic study. J Adv Nurs. 68(8):1738-47.
Content of "Newborn sleep patterns" last modified 9/17 Image credits for "Newborn sleep patterns" title imagine of newborn sleeping by Jessica Merz/flickr image of mother kissing newborn ©iStockphoto.com/Shawn Gearhart image of father and newborn by Patrik-Hagglund / wikimedia commons image of newborn with pacifier image of tired mother with sleeping newborn by istock
Van Sleuwen BE, Englelberts AC, Boere-Boonekamp MM, Kuis W, Schulpen TWJ, and L'Hoir MP. 2007. Swaddling: A systematic review. Pediatrics 120: e1097-1106.

Wahnschaffe A, Haedel S, Rodenbeck A, Stoll C, Rudolph H, Kozakov R, Schoepp H, and Kunz D. 2013. Out of the lab and into the bathroom: evening short-term exposure to conventional light suppresses melatonin and increases alertness perception. Int J Mol Sci. 14(2):2573-89.

Wulff K, Siegmund R. 2002.[Emergence of circadian rhythms in infants before and after birth: evidence for variations by parental influence]. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 206(5):166-71. Review. German.

Zotter H, Urlesberger B, Pichler G, Mueller W, Kerbl R. 2007. Do wet diapers induce arousals in sleeping infants? Acta Paediatr. 96(3):452-3.

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Newborn sleep patterns: A survival guide

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Newborns tend to sleep a lot overall: Many babies average 16-18 hours a day. Yet some sleep much less, and almost all newborns awaken easily and frequently, seldom sleeping more than 4 hours at a stretch - even at night. Can we shape newborn sleep patterns? Yes. Here's how.

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Demonstration of how baby's brain develops (under 5 mins)

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Demonstration of how baby's brain develops (under 5 mins)

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Bridget Supple demonstrating how a Baby's Brain wires - 'The Wool brain' exercise

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Baby Check App

Baby Check features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells parents or carers how ill their baby is. The app then lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional.

Download for FREE from Google Play or the App Store.

Buy posters, business cards and other materials to help promote Baby Check to your clients and patients

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The Baby Check App helps parents decide if their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional

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this is a link to babycentre.co.uk which is an excellent evidenced based website

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harrington007 for BabyCenter

Shortly after your baby is born, your midwife will clamp your baby's umbilical cord ready for it to be cut. She will cut your baby's cord herself, or your birth partner may wish to do this. Neither you nor your baby will feel anything when this happens, as there are no nerves in the cord (NHS 2015).

Where the cord joins your newborn's tummy, he'll have a 2cm to 3cm-long stump with the plastic clamp or tie attached. You'll need to keep it clean and free from infection until it falls off.

How long will my baby have an umbilical stump?

Your baby's stump will dry out and drop off any time between five days and 15 days after he's born (NHS 2015, Parsons 2017). If it's kept dry, it usually takes around a week for this to happen (NHS 2018).

Your midwife may take the clamp or tie off once the stump has dried and sealed, although in some areas of the UK, it's left on and will fall off with the stump.

As the stump dries out, it will shrivel up and change from yellowish-green to brown or black. It should drop off by itself (NHS 2015). Be sure to let the stump come away naturally. Don't pull on it, even if it's hanging by a thread.

How can I care for my baby's stump?

You'll need to keep your baby's umbilical stump clean and dry to prevent it from becoming infected (NICE 2015). Always wash your hands before and after you change his nappy, wash him or handle his stump. Dress your baby in loose clothing, to allow air to get to the stump.

You can keep the stump clean by giving your baby a bath or topping and tailing him with a warm, moist flannel or sponge. It's fine to use just plain water (Imdad et al 2013). Or, if you prefer, you can add a mild, liquid baby cleanser to his bathwater.

Getting your baby's stump wet won't slow up healing or make an infection more likely as long as you dry it afterwards (AWHONN 2013, Blume-Peytavi et al 2016) by gently patting it with a soft, clean towel or cloth. Keep your baby warm but let the stump dry fully before putting on a nappy.

Fold down the top of your baby's nappy to allow air to get to the stump and to avoid friction from the nappy irritating the wound (Parsons 2017). Some newborn nappies have a cut-out on the front already.

It's best not to use an antiseptic on the stump (NICE 2015). Just keeping it clean will be enough. Using antiseptic can kill bacteria that actually help your baby's stump fall off, so it takes longer to heal (Imdad et al 2013).

If your baby is premature or spends time in special care, the advice is still to keep the stump clean and dry (Imdad et al 2013). However, bear in mind that your baby may not be able to have a bath for a while because he's more vulnerable than a healthy, full-term baby (AWHONN 2013). Staff on the neonatal unit will give you advice on caring for your baby and the best way to keep him clean.

How long will it take for the belly button to heal?

After the stump falls off there will be a small wound. It may take between seven days and 10 days for the area to heal completely (NHS 2015). You may see a little blood spot on your baby's nappy. This is quite normal. If there's any bleeding that doesn't stop when you wipe it, ask your midwife, health visitor or GP for advice (NHS 2018, Perlstein nd).

The healed wound becomes your baby's belly button.

How will I know if my baby's stump is infected?

During the healing process, it's normal to see a little blood near the stump. This doesn't mean that it's infected (Mayo Clinic 2018).

However, if your baby has the following symptoms, then his stump may be infected:

His navel and the surrounding area is swollen, red or seems painful (NHS 2018, Parsons 2017).

The stump is swollen, smelly or weepy (NHS 2018, Parsons 2017).

He has a fever.

He is lethargic, showing a lack of interest in feeding or appears generally unwell.

If your baby has any of these signs call your midwife, health visitor or GP.
What should I do if my baby's stump doesn't heal?

It's possible that your baby's stump will take longer than 10 days to heal. However, if you notice a soft pink or red lump that leaks clear or yellow fluid, or feels damp, then your baby may have an umbilical granuloma (iHV 2017). A granuloma is an overgrowth of scar tissue.

An umbilical granuloma isn't serious and is usually simple to treat. If you think your baby may have an umbilical granuloma, speak to your health visitor, who can advise you on the best treatment for your baby.

References

AWHONN. 2013. Neonatal skin care. 3rd ed. Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Washington: AWHONN

Blume-Peytavi U, Lavender T, Jenerowicz D, et al. 2016. Recommendations from a European round table meeting on best practice healthy infant skin care. Pediatr Dermatol 33(3):311-21

iHV. 2017. Understanding umbilical granuloma. Institute of Health Visiting. ihv.org.uk [Accessed August 2018]

Imdad A, Bautista RM, Senen KA, et al. 2013. Umbilical cord antiseptics for preventing sepsis and death among newborns. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (5): CD008635. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed April 2018]

Mayo Clinic. 2018. Umbilical cord care: Do's and don'ts for parents. www.mayoclinic.org [Accessed October 2018]

NHS. 2015. What is the umbilical cord? NHS, Common Health Questions. www.nhs.uk [Accessed April 2018]

NHS. 2018. Getting to know your newborn. NHS, Health A-Z, Your Pregnancy and Baby Guide. www.nhs.uk [Accessed April 2018]

NICE. 2015. Postnatal care up to 8 weeks after birth. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, CG37. www.nice.org.uk [Accessed April 2018]

Parsons H. 2017. Umbilical care. Clinical Guidelines. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. www.gosh.nhs.uk [Accessed April 2018]

Perlstein D. nd. Umbilical cord care. www.emedicinehealth.com [Accessed April 2018]

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Your baby will have an umbilical cord stump for up to 15 days after he's born. How should you care for it? Get the lowdown on umbilical cord care so you can keep your baby's stump clean and free from infection.

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Not really brain development but it does have an effect on development

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The human microbiome is rather fashionable in the world of science at the moment. The NIH Human Microbiome Project has been set up to explore correlations between the microbiome and human health and disease. To date the human microbiome as been associated with, amongst other things obesity, cancer, mental health disorders, asthma, and autism. In this post I am not going to provide a comprehensive literature review - this has already been done, and the key reviews underpinning this discussion are: Matamoros et al. (2012) 'development of intestinal microbiota in infants and its impact on health' and Collado et al. (2012) 'microbial ecology and host-microbiota interactions during early life stages'. Instead I am going to focus on what this means for pregnancy, birth, mothering and midwifery.
What is the human microbiome?
Considerations for mothers and midwives

The following are not research based recommendations - the research is yet to be done. They are more considerations/questions arising from the developing knowledge around the human microbiome.
Pre-conception and Pregnancy
The commonly accepted belief that the the baby inside the uterus is sterile (whilst membranes are intact) is being challenged. It seems that maternal gut microbiota may be able to translocate to the baby/placenta via the blood stream ( Jiménez et al. 2008; Metamoros et al. 2013; Prince et al. 2014; Rautava et al. 2013; Zimmer 2013). And the unique ecosystem of bacteria in the placenta may originate from bacteria in the mother's mouth. Women's gut microbiota change during pregnancy and this impacts on metabolism ( Koren et al. 2012; Prince et al. 2014). So ideally, women need to head into pregnancy with a healthy microbiome and then maintain it. Unfortunately our modern lifestyle is not very microbiome friendly, and many of us have dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria). Dysbiosis and too much of the 'wrong' bacteria has been linked to premature rupture of membranes and premature birth ( Fortner et al. 2014; Mysorekar & Cao 2014; Prince et al. 2014). Gum disease (bacteria) has also been linked to pre-term birth. Suggestions:

There is a difference between the microbiome of a baby born vaginally compared to a baby born by c-section ( Azad, et al. 2013; Penders et al. 2006; Prince et al. 2014). During a vaginal birth the baby is colonised by maternal vaginal and faecal bacteria. Initial human bacterial colonies resemble the maternal vaginal microbiota - predominately Lactobacillus, Prevotella and Sneathia. A baby born by c-section is colonised by the bacteria in the hospital environment and maternal skin - predominately Staphylocci and C difficile. They also have significantly lower levels of Bifidobacterium and lower bacterial diversity than vaginally born babies. These differences in the microbiome 'seeding' may be the reason for the long-term increased risk of particular diseases for babies born by c-section.

The environment in which the baby is born also influences their initial colonisation. A study by Penders et al. (2006) found that term infants born vaginally at home and then breastfed exclusively had the most 'beneficial' gut microbiota. It is likely that these babies only came into contact with the microbiota of their family during the key period for 'seeding' the microbiome. No one has researched waterbirth and the microbiome yet. Might it dilute the bacteria? The chance of colonisation and infection with group B streptococcus (GBS) is reduced with waterbirth ( Cohain 2010; Neugeborene et al. 2007). This may be due to dilution of the GBS or additional colonisation of the baby with beneficial bacteria. Another future research topic is caul birth and the microbiome. Does a baby born in the caul miss out on colonisation via the vagina?

What we do know is that antibiotic exposure alters the microbiome in adults (see above). When a woman is given antibiotics in labour her baby also gets a dose. In 2006 a medical expert review ( Ledger 2006) raised concerns about prophylactic antibiotics in labour. A study in 2011 found that antibiotics given in labour increased the incidence of antibiotic resistance when treating late-onset serious bacterial infections in infants ( Ashkenazi-Hoffnung et al. 2011). A more recent study found that antibiotics given during labour or a c-section are associated with infant gut microbiota dysbiosis ( Azad et al. 2016). This is concerning considering the number of women/babies given antibiotics in labour (eg. for 'prolonged' rupture of membranes or for 'epidural fever'). Add to that the use of prophylactic antibiotics for c-sections = a significant proportion of women and babies being exposed to antibiotics around the time of birth. Suggestions:

A vaginal birth in the mother's own environment is optimal for 'seeding' a healthy microbiome for the baby (Penders et al. 2006).

Minimise physical contact by care providers on the mother's vagina, perineum and the baby during birth.

Avoid unnecessary antibiotics during labour. If antibiotics are required consider probiotics for mother and baby following birth.

If the baby is born by c-section... Research is currently being undertaken into the use of vaginal swabs* to 'seed' c-section babies. The preliminary results are that the microbiome of swabbed babies are more similar to vaginally born babies. The protocol the researchers are using is:

1. take a piece of gauze soaked in sterile normal saline

2. fold it up like a tampon with lots of surface area and insert into the mother's vagina

3. leave for 1 hour, remove just prior to surgery and keep in a sterile container

4. immediately after birth apply the swab to the baby's mouth, face, then the rest of the body (you can see photos of this process here)

If a baby is born by c-section it is even more important to encourage and support their mother to breastfeed. It may also be worth considering additional probiotic intake.

*There has been a bit of hysteria about the safety of vaginal swab seeding in the media. I will leave it to Sara Wickham to address (rant about) this one.

After birth, colonisation of the baby by microbiota continues through contact with the environment and breastfeeding. There are significant differences in the microbiota of breastfed babies compared to formula fed babies ( Azad, et al. 2013; Guaraldi & Salvatori 2012). Beneficial bacteria are directly transported to the baby's gut by breastmilk and the oligosaccarides in breastmilk support the growth of these bacteria. The difference in the gut microbiome of a formula fed baby may underpin the health risks associated with formula feeding. In the short term, infant colic may be associated with high levels of proteobacteria in the baby's gut (wish I'd know this 20 years ago!). Suggestions:

Immediately following birth, and in the first days, baby should spend a lot of time naked on his/her mother's chest.

Avoid bathing baby for at least 24 hours after birth, and then only use plain water for at least 4 weeks (Tollin et al. 2005).

If in hospital, use your own linen from home for baby.

Minimise the handling of baby by non-family members during the first weeks - particularly skin to skin contact.

Exclusively breastfeed. If this is not possible consider probiotic support.

Avoid giving baby unnecessary antibiotics (Ajslev et al. 2011; Penders et al. 2006). Again, if antibiotics are required probiotics need to be considered.

Probiotics may also be beneficial for babies suffering from colic.

Summary
The more we understand about the human microbiome the more it seems fundamental to our health. Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding seed our microbiome and therefore have a long-term effect on health. More research is needed to explore how best to support healthy seeding and maintenance of the microbiome during this key period. I have discussed a number of considerations and suggestions arising from what we already know. I welcome any comments, discussion and further suggestions from readers.
Further reading and resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Human Microbiome: considerations for pregnancy, birth and early mothering

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This post was co-authored by Jessie Johnson-Cash and based on her presentation at the USC Midwifery Education Day. The human microbiome is rather fashionable in the world of science at the moment. The NIH Human Microbiome Project has been set up to explore correlations between the microbiome and human health and disease.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The human microbiome is rather fashionable in the world of science at the moment. The NIH Human Microbiome Project has been set up to explore correlations between the microbiome and human health and disease. To date the human microbiome as been associated with, amongst other things obesity, cancer, mental health disorders, asthma, and autism. In this post I am not going to provide a comprehensive literature review - this has already been done, and the key reviews underpinning this discussion are: Matamoros et al. (2012) 'development of intestinal microbiota in infants and its impact on health' and Collado et al. (2012) 'microbial ecology and host-microbiota interactions during early life stages'. Instead I am going to focus on what this means for pregnancy, birth, mothering and midwifery.
What is the human microbiome?
Considerations for mothers and midwives

The following are not research based recommendations - the research is yet to be done. They are more considerations/questions arising from the developing knowledge around the human microbiome.
Pre-conception and Pregnancy
The commonly accepted belief that the the baby inside the uterus is sterile (whilst membranes are intact) is being challenged. It seems that maternal gut microbiota may be able to translocate to the baby/placenta via the blood stream ( Jiménez et al. 2008; Metamoros et al. 2013; Prince et al. 2014; Rautava et al. 2013; Zimmer 2013). And the unique ecosystem of bacteria in the placenta may originate from bacteria in the mother's mouth. Women's gut microbiota change during pregnancy and this impacts on metabolism ( Koren et al. 2012; Prince et al. 2014). So ideally, women need to head into pregnancy with a healthy microbiome and then maintain it. Unfortunately our modern lifestyle is not very microbiome friendly, and many of us have dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria). Dysbiosis and too much of the 'wrong' bacteria has been linked to premature rupture of membranes and premature birth ( Fortner et al. 2014; Mysorekar & Cao 2014; Prince et al. 2014). Gum disease (bacteria) has also been linked to pre-term birth. Suggestions:

There is a difference between the microbiome of a baby born vaginally compared to a baby born by c-section ( Azad, et al. 2013; Penders et al. 2006; Prince et al. 2014). During a vaginal birth the baby is colonised by maternal vaginal and faecal bacteria. Initial human bacterial colonies resemble the maternal vaginal microbiota - predominately Lactobacillus, Prevotella and Sneathia. A baby born by c-section is colonised by the bacteria in the hospital environment and maternal skin - predominately Staphylocci and C difficile. They also have significantly lower levels of Bifidobacterium and lower bacterial diversity than vaginally born babies. These differences in the microbiome 'seeding' may be the reason for the long-term increased risk of particular diseases for babies born by c-section.

The environment in which the baby is born also influences their initial colonisation. A study by Penders et al. (2006) found that term infants born vaginally at home and then breastfed exclusively had the most 'beneficial' gut microbiota. It is likely that these babies only came into contact with the microbiota of their family during the key period for 'seeding' the microbiome. No one has researched waterbirth and the microbiome yet. Might it dilute the bacteria? The chance of colonisation and infection with group B streptococcus (GBS) is reduced with waterbirth ( Cohain 2010; Neugeborene et al. 2007). This may be due to dilution of the GBS or additional colonisation of the baby with beneficial bacteria. Another future research topic is caul birth and the microbiome. Does a baby born in the caul miss out on colonisation via the vagina?

What we do know is that antibiotic exposure alters the microbiome in adults (see above). When a woman is given antibiotics in labour her baby also gets a dose. In 2006 a medical expert review ( Ledger 2006) raised concerns about prophylactic antibiotics in labour. A study in 2011 found that antibiotics given in labour increased the incidence of antibiotic resistance when treating late-onset serious bacterial infections in infants ( Ashkenazi-Hoffnung et al. 2011). A more recent study found that antibiotics given during labour or a c-section are associated with infant gut microbiota dysbiosis ( Azad et al. 2016). This is concerning considering the number of women/babies given antibiotics in labour (eg. for 'prolonged' rupture of membranes or for 'epidural fever'). Add to that the use of prophylactic antibiotics for c-sections = a significant proportion of women and babies being exposed to antibiotics around the time of birth. Suggestions:

A vaginal birth in the mother's own environment is optimal for 'seeding' a healthy microbiome for the baby (Penders et al. 2006).

Minimise physical contact by care providers on the mother's vagina, perineum and the baby during birth.

Avoid unnecessary antibiotics during labour. If antibiotics are required consider probiotics for mother and baby following birth.

If the baby is born by c-section... Research is currently being undertaken into the use of vaginal swabs* to 'seed' c-section babies. The preliminary results are that the microbiome of swabbed babies are more similar to vaginally born babies. The protocol the researchers are using is:

1. take a piece of gauze soaked in sterile normal saline

2. fold it up like a tampon with lots of surface area and insert into the mother's vagina

3. leave for 1 hour, remove just prior to surgery and keep in a sterile container

4. immediately after birth apply the swab to the baby's mouth, face, then the rest of the body (you can see photos of this process here)

If a baby is born by c-section it is even more important to encourage and support their mother to breastfeed. It may also be worth considering additional probiotic intake.

*There has been a bit of hysteria about the safety of vaginal swab seeding in the media. I will leave it to Sara Wickham to address (rant about) this one.

After birth, colonisation of the baby by microbiota continues through contact with the environment and breastfeeding. There are significant differences in the microbiota of breastfed babies compared to formula fed babies ( Azad, et al. 2013; Guaraldi & Salvatori 2012). Beneficial bacteria are directly transported to the baby's gut by breastmilk and the oligosaccarides in breastmilk support the growth of these bacteria. The difference in the gut microbiome of a formula fed baby may underpin the health risks associated with formula feeding. In the short term, infant colic may be associated with high levels of proteobacteria in the baby's gut (wish I'd know this 20 years ago!). Suggestions:

Immediately following birth, and in the first days, baby should spend a lot of time naked on his/her mother's chest.

Avoid bathing baby for at least 24 hours after birth, and then only use plain water for at least 4 weeks (Tollin et al. 2005).

If in hospital, use your own linen from home for baby.

Minimise the handling of baby by non-family members during the first weeks - particularly skin to skin contact.

Exclusively breastfeed. If this is not possible consider probiotic support.

Avoid giving baby unnecessary antibiotics (Ajslev et al. 2011; Penders et al. 2006). Again, if antibiotics are required probiotics need to be considered.

Probiotics may also be beneficial for babies suffering from colic.

Summary
The more we understand about the human microbiome the more it seems fundamental to our health. Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding seed our microbiome and therefore have a long-term effect on health. More research is needed to explore how best to support healthy seeding and maintenance of the microbiome during this key period. I have discussed a number of considerations and suggestions arising from what we already know. I welcome any comments, discussion and further suggestions from readers.
Further reading and resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Human Microbiome: considerations for pregnancy, birth and early mothering

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This post was co-authored by Jessie Johnson-Cash and based on her presentation at the USC Midwifery Education Day. The human microbiome is rather fashionable in the world of science at the moment. The NIH Human Microbiome Project has been set up to explore correlations between the microbiome and human health and disease.

# data[].attributes.body
what's normal and what's not

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Shingles vaccine

This vaccine gives protection against shingles, a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. It's offered to all 70 year olds in the UK, with catch-up for some other age groups.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shingles vaccine This vaccine gives protection against shingles, a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. It's offered to all 70 year olds in the UK, with catch-up for some other age groups.

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Baby wearing can help sooth crying and sensitive babies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Babywearing: Everything You Need to Know to Wear Your Baby Safely & In Style

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What are the benefits of babywearing? Which baby carrier is right for you? Where can you find the best deal on new & used wraps, ring slings, and carriers?

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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Serve & Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry

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Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick

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Colic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Colic is the name for excessive, frequent crying in a baby who appears to be otherwise healthy. It's a common problem that affects up to one in five babies.

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Importance of relationship building

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How To Do CPR On A Child | St John Ambulance & Channel Mum | First Aid Course

# data[].attributes.headline
I've never tried this but I really want to 

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I've never tried this but I really want to 

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In theory it should work

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4 hypnotic tricks to get your baby to sleep

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Skip to main content

Breastfeeding takes practice. It takes time to work out which positions feel best - try them all out to see which feels best.

Burping your baby

Winding, or burping your baby, is an important part of feeding. When your baby swallows, air bubbles can become trapped in their tummy and cause a lot of discomfort. Some babies find it easy to burp, while others need a helping hand.

When should I burp my baby?

There are no rules on when you should burp your baby, some babies need burping during their feed, some after. Look for clues - if your baby seems uncomfortable while feeding, have a little burping break. If they seem fine while feeding, wait until they've finished. Your baby will let you know!

Did you know?

Your baby may bring some milk up while burping, so have a burp cloth or muslin square ready (this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about).

What's the best position to burp my baby?

Support your baby's head and neck, make sure their tummy and back is nice and straight (not curled up), and rub or pat their back gently. You don't need to spend ages burping your baby, a couple of minutes should be enough.

There are a few ways to burp your baby. Try them all out and see which works best - or use a combination:

Over your shoulder

With your baby's chin resting on your shoulder, support the head and shoulder area with one hand, and gently rub and pat your baby's back. It might help to walk around as you are doing this.

Sitting on your lap

Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place the palm of your hand flat against their chest and support their chin and jaw (don't put any pressure on the throat area). Lean your baby forwards slightly and with your free hand, gently rub or pat your baby's back.

Lying across your lap

Lie your baby across your lap face down. Supporting their chin (don't put any pressure on the throat area), use your free hand to gently rub or pat your baby's back.

Breastfeeding Friend from Start4life

The Breastfeeding Friend, a digital tool from Start4Life, has lots of useful information and expert advice to share with you - and because it's a digital tool, you can access it 24 / 7.

What if my baby won't burp?

If these methods don't work and your baby shows signs of trapped wind (crying, arched back, drawing legs into tummy, clenched fists), try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy. Also move your baby's legs back and forth - like they're riding a bicycle. If this doesn't work, talk to your health visitor, they'll be able to advise you on the best thing to do.

For confidential breastfeeding information and support, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. Lines are open 9:30am to 9:30pm every day.

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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Burping your baby will get rid of the air they have swallowed while drinking milk. Find out more about burping tips and best positions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip to main content Breastfeeding takes practice. It takes time to work out which positions feel best - try them all out to see which feels best. Winding, or burping your baby, is an important part of feeding. When your baby swallows, air bubbles can become trapped in their tummy and cause a lot of discomfort.

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How To Calm A Crying Baby - Dr. Robert Hamilton Demonstrates "The Hold" (Official)