Tips for settling newborns

Developing a settling technique

It is normal to experience a lot of crying from your newborn. Newborn babies cry on average for a few hours each day. Crying is a way for babies to communicate their needs. In the beginning, it’s quite normal to have at least one or two unsettled periods a day (where there’s a lot of crying), and at least one unsettled day per week. Responding to your baby’s cries promptly in the early weeks can help them feel safe and secure.

It is important at this stage to develop a settling technique your baby becomes familiar with, which reassures and calms them. If you’re searching for effective tips for settling newborns, consistency is key—use the same technique wherever you are, whenever your baby needs to sleep. This routine relaxes them and prepares them for bed, much like music, a cup of tea, or a good book might help adults unwind. Remember, the purpose of developing settling techniques is not simply to put your baby to sleep, but to prepare them for sleep—helping them learn to fall asleep independently as they grow.

If you are considering starting childcare, rest assured that at Oz Education, we will work with you to ensure that our settling technique mirrors yours to ensure a smooth transition to care.

Signs of tiredness

Your baby will be ready for sleep once you have fed them, changed their nappy, and had some quiet play time. Play in the first few weeks could be a bath or a cuddle and a quiet chat — taking about 15 minutes. By 8 weeks, playtime may have stretched to 30 minutes, including the addition of a snack, or story. Watch for the early signs of tiredness which let you know that your baby has had enough stimulation and is ready for sleep. They may turn away from you or start to whimper. Learn to recognize your baby’s signs. Continuing in play when a baby is overtired will make it more difficult to settle them. If you find you’re constantly trying to settle a distressed baby, then you may be missing the early tired signs and can fix this by trying to start your settling routine sooner.

Steps for settling newborns

Step 1: When your baby signals that they are tired, cuddle them against you and talk softly and soothingly, or quietly hum or sing.

Step 2: Take them to the room where they sleep, away from the household activities.

Step 3: Create an environment that signals to the baby that it’s bedtime. e.g. draw the blinds or curtains, put on some soft music.

Step 4: Wrap them, or dress them in a baby swaddle, and cuddle them against you until they’re calm.

Step 5: Place the baby on their back in their bassinet or cot, on a firm mattress, as recommended by RedNose Australia. 

Step 6: Gently pat or rock your baby briefly to settle them and then leave while they are still awake but calm.

Step 7: If your baby whimpers, wait a minute or so to see if they can settle on their own.

Step 8: If they continue to cry, or become distressed, return and try to comfort and settle them in the cot.

Step 9: If this does not work, pick them up and calm them in your arms by holding them close and gently swaying, but do not leave the room. Once they are calm, put them back into the cot. Place your hand gently on their chest for 30 seconds to reassure them, if they are still calm, leave the room.

All our early learning centres practice safe sleep guidelines and cater to individual sleep routines that comply with Red Nose Australia guidelines and national quality standards. Trusted for over 40 years, Oz Education has provided high-quality professional childcare services since 1980.