Understanding Newborn Sleep: A Norland Nanny's Expert Guide

Introduction: Celebrating Baby Sleep Day with Melanie Hastings

Happy Baby Sleep Day! Every year on 1st March, parents and caregivers come together to
raise awareness about the importance of healthy sleep for babies and their families. To
mark the occasion, we’re sharing insights from Melanie Hastings, a Norland Nanny, infant
sleep specialist, and experienced mum. Melanie has over 15 years of hands-on experience
helping families navigate the challenges of newborn sleep. You can learn more about her
I work here.

Whether you’re a first-time parent or looking for reassurance about your baby’s sleep,
Melanie’s perspective offers guidance, reassurance, and practical tips for understanding
your newborn’s natural sleep patterns.

Understanding Newborn Sleep: What to Expect

When you’re expecting a baby, everyone says, “Enjoy your sleep while you can - you’ll never
sleep again!” It’s meant to be a joke, but for many parents, it masks real anxiety about what
newborn sleep actually looks like. Even with years of training and experience, Melanie found
that seeing new parents’ struggles in real life highlighted just how much confusion exists
around newborn sleep.

How Much Do Newborns Sleep?

Newborns typically sleep 14–17 hours in a 24-hour period, but this sleep comes in short
stretches of 2–4 hours. Their tiny stomachs mean frequent feeds are necessary, day and
night.

Key takeaway: Frequent waking is normal and essential for growth, development, and
Safety.

Why Won't My Newborn Sleep at Night?

Many new parents are surprised that their baby doesn’t sleep longer at night. That’s
because newborns don’t have an established circadian rhythm - they can’t tell day from
night yet.
• Daytime sleep may be longer than nighttime sleep.
• Gentle exposure to natural daylight and quiet, low-key nighttime interactions can
gradually help establish a rhythm.

Why Do Newborns Grunt and Wriggle in Their Sleep?

Grunting, wriggling, snuffling - all of this is normal. Newborns transition through sleep cycles
frequently and may appear restless between them. Often, waiting a moment allows your
baby to settle independently.

How Often Should a Newborn Sleep? Frequent Waking Is Normal

Melanie reassures parents: waking often does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. It
also doesn’t mean your baby is a “bad sleeper.” Frequent waking is biologically appropriate
and supports your baby’s development and wellbeing.

Tip from Melanie: Your baby’s sleep isn’t something to “fix” but instead to be understood.
Newborn sleep is messy, changeable, and completely normal.

How to Support Healthy Sleep

Melanie’s years of Norland training and experience as a sleep specialist made a huge
difference in her own parenting journey-but you don’t need formal training.

What you need:
• Good information about newborn sleep
• Realistic expectations for sleep patterns
• Reassurance that you’re doing a wonderful job, even on the toughest nights

Final Thoughts: Embrace Baby Sleep Day

On 1st March, as we celebrate Baby Sleep Day, remember that understanding your baby’s
sleep is a gift to both your little one and yourself. There is no “perfect” routine at this stage,
and that’s completely okay. With the right knowledge and support, every parent can
navigate the newborn sleep journey with confidence and calm