Nikki Wants to Know! The Scoop on 2-3 Month Olds!
On my Facebook LIVE on Wed 1/27/21, Nikki from Ohio, one of the moms in my Sleep is Bliss Community, reached out for some "sleep scoop" as she has a 2.5 month old son and really wanted guidance to know "what is normal" and how to establish the right routines and habits at this 2-3 month old age and stage.
Before you dive into the Facebook Live recording, I want you to know what is NORMAL to expect from a 2-3 month old baby. Understanding the nature of newborn sleep and being knowledgeable on "what is possible" at each age and stage will help you plan appropriately and feel more confident in your parenting choices and goals.
2-3 month old babies do the following:
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14-17 hrs of sleep in 24 hr shift
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4-6 naps a day totally 4-7 hrs of daytime sleep
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60-90 minute wakefulness windows between naps (some wakeful windows can be as short at 45 minutes)
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Each nap is as short as 20-30 min and as long as 2 hrs (don't let any nap go longer than 3 hrs)
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Play and expose to natural light during the wakefulness times
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Establish a bedtime routine and start 30 minutes before your child's best bedtime sleep window.
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Bedtime is usually on the "later side" sometime after 8pm to allow for the 4-6 naps per day
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Transition from bassinet to crib sometime before 6 months of age, preferably before they start the rolling milestone (which can start around 4-5 months of age)
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You can do "crib acclimation" in the crib and nursery so your child can more easily make the transition from bassinet to crib. Multiple times a day, put baby in crib when awake and not hungry or tired. Interact with baby for 3-5 min intervals and make sure baby is happy when taking him out. This will establish a positive association to the crib.
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Watch out for reflux or silent reflux that could be breaking the sleep cycles. If you suspect this, please talk to your pediatrician.
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It is perfectly appropriate, normal and helpful to help you baby go to sleep and go back to sleep with sleep crutches, they often NEED the extra help with holding, rocking, etc. in this delicate newborn phase. You are being responsive to their needs. As they become more mobile and master rolling their ability to self-settle and self-soothe come "online" and it starts to become easier for the baby to sleep independently. Often before this time, they genuinely need the help.
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Longer naps and more predictable schedule happens AFTER the rolling milestone (4-5 months). Then your child will switch to 3 naps a day with last nap ending at 5 or 5:30pm and bedtime happening within 3 hrs of waking from last nap.
Here is the video that offers more insight.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihNfEJtHbVk?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
I hope if you are newborn mom, you feel more "at peace" and do not feel pressured to push your baby to do things before they are ready.
If you would like to talk to me LIVE about your baby and how to improve sleep, Please go to Talk to a Sleep Expert: Sleep Strategy Session
If you want me to hot-seat coach you on my next Facebook LIVE (Wednesdays at 3pm PST), please submit questions in advance here: https://bit.ly/3dMGL7v
If you are seeking accurate and reliable information about all things sleep and family wellness, than please join my Sleep is Bliss Community on Facebook and Instagram.