Newborn sleep can feel overwhelming with all the advice and products out there. But let’s cut to the chase and focus on what truly matters—creating the right sleep environment. A well-designed sleep space can help your little one settle easily, sleep longer, and feel safe. Believe it or not, small adjustments can make a big difference in how well your baby sleeps. In this post, we’ll break down the essentials—from lighting and temperature to sounds and bedding—to ensure your baby’s sleep space is calm, comfortable, and perfect for a restful night.
Room Temperature
One of the most crucial factors in creating a good sleep environment for your newborn is maintaining the right room temperature. Since babies aren’t as efficient at regulating their body temperature as adults, it’s essential to keep their space comfortably cool. According to pediatricians and sleep experts, the ideal temperature for a baby’s room is between 68-72°F (20-22°C). This temperature range helps reduce the risk of overheating while ensuring your baby doesn’t get too cold, promoting better sleep for both babies and adults.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not provide a specific temperature range for a baby’s room. Instead, they recommend dressing your baby appropriately for the ambient temperature to maintain comfort and safety during sleep.
A simple way to ensure your baby stays comfortable is by dressing them in light, breathable layers that you can easily add or remove. Checking their neck or chest (rather than hands or feet) is the best way to gauge if they’re too warm or cold. Using a sleeping bag with a TOG rating can also help keep them snug without overheating. If your room doesn’t have a thermostat, an indoor thermometer can be a helpful tool for peace of mind.
That said, you don’t need to stress over constant temperature monitoring or running the heating or cooling all night. As long as your baby is dressed appropriately, small adjustments will go a long way in keeping their sleep environment comfortable and safe.
Lighting
A dark room can be crucial to settling and a good night's sleep (even for adults too!). A dark room can be created by using blackout blinds or simply by putting a dark sheet or blanket over the existing curtains. You want to cover any light that might be sneaking in around the edges of the curtain. Your fact of the day is that babies do not fear the dark. They actually find the dark comforting, calming and safe - remember, they spent a whole 9 months in the dark!We recommend avoiding the overhead lights during their nighttime routines, including any feedings or diaper changes. Keep interactions calm and minimal. Use soft lighting, speak in a quiet voice, and avoid stimulating activities. A dark room will help with your baby settling more easily to sleep, can mean longer naps, more consolidated night-time sleep and also remove the risk of or remedy early morning waking.
Use Gentle Sounds
Something we often don’t think about, but as our babies spent months in the womb, they were surrounded by constant noise! The sound of your heartbeat, blood flow, and other internal noises were their soundtrack, so it makes sense that total silence can feel a bit unsettling. Using a Spotify soundtrack to play some white noise, can help drown out other household noises by also lifting the unsettling silence. You can purchase a white noise machine which can be a game-changer for the newborn sleep environment. Choose one that plays continuously throughout the night or during naps, rather than switching off after a certain period. Consistency is key here.
It is best to avoid loud or sudden noises that might startle your baby awake, which is much easier said than done, especially if you have other young children!
Choose Safe and Comfortable Bedding
Ensuring your baby’s sleep space is safe and secure is essential for a restful night. Your newborn should sleep in their own designated space, on their back, with a firm, flat mattress and no loose blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. A mattress that’s too soft can increase the risk of SIDS, so always opt for one that provides proper support.
When choosing bedding, natural fibres are the best choice. Synthetic materials don’t breathe as well and can lead to overheating. Instead of blankets, invest in high-quality swaddles—your baby will thank you! Swaddling helps prevent sudden wake-ups caused by the startle reflex, promoting longer, more restful sleep. Fitted swaddles are a great option since they’re snug, safe, and easy to use. Again, choosing swaddles made from breathable, natural materials ensures optimal comfort for your little one.
Consistent Sleep Routine
Even as adults, a good bedtime routine helps promote a peaceful night’s sleep—the same goes for babies. Creating a consistent sleep routine early on helps signal to your little one that it’s time to wind down, making bedtime smoother and more predictable.
Start by incorporating calming activities into your baby’s evening routine, such as a warm bath, dim lighting, soft lullabies, or quiet cuddle time. Keeping the atmosphere calm and soothing helps your baby associate these cues with sleep. If your baby struggles to settle, placing them on the Babocush Comfort Cushion for a short time can provide gentle comfort and relief, especially if they experience reflux or colic. The soothing vibrations and heartbeat sounds can help them relax and drift off. However, it’s important to note that we do not recommend letting your baby sleep on the Babocush—always transfer them to a safe sleep space once they are settled.
Try to put your baby down when they’re drowsy but awake, to encourage self-soothing. This allows them to learn how to fall asleep independently, making nighttime wake-ups easier to manage. Avoid picking them up immediately at the first stir—sometimes they may settle back to sleep on their own.
Consistency is key—by following the same sequence of calming steps each night, your baby will begin to recognize the routine and feel more secure, leading to better, longer sleep for everyone.
Setting up a soothing sleep environment doesn’t have to be complicated. By adjusting the temperature, lighting, sounds, and bedding, you can create a calm, safe, and restful space for your newborn. Small changes can make a big impact on your baby’s sleep quality—helping both of you get the rest you need.
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