Newborn Sleep Myths: What Works and What Doesn’t
If you’re a new parent, chances are you’ve received plenty of unsolicited sleep advice—some helpful, and some that might leave you more confused than before. Navigating the early weeks of your baby’s life is already exhausting, and the myths around newborn sleep can make things even more overwhelming. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common misconceptions, especially when it comes to helping your newborn learn independent sleep skills in a way that’s developmentally appropriate and grounded in real science.
Myth #1: “Keeping baby awake during the day will help them sleep better at night.”
This myth is still making the rounds, and unfortunately, it often backfires. Newborns have very short wake windows—usually only 45 to 90 minutes—before they need to sleep again. Stretching them too long can lead to overtiredness, which actually makes it harder for babies to fall and stay asleep. Research shows that babies who are well-rested during the day tend to sleep longer and more peacefully at night (Mindell et al., 2010). So instead of keeping your baby awake in hopes of longer nighttime sleep, focus on helping them get the rest they need around the clock.
Myth #2: “There’s nothing you can do to encourage independent sleep in the newborn stage.”
While it’s true that newborns aren’t developmentally ready for formal sleep training, that doesn’t mean you can’t gently support the beginnings of independent sleep. You can begin laying the foundation early using sleep conditioning—small, responsive strategies that introduce your baby to the idea of falling asleep without always being fed or rocked. For example, putting your baby down drowsy-but-awake for naps or bedtime (when they’re calm and well-fed) can help them start to associate their sleep space with comfort and sleep. These gentle practices, when done without pressure, can ease the transition to independent sleep later on (Pinilla & Birch, 1993). That said, if you're rocking or feeding your baby to sleep and it’s working for your family, that’s completely fine, too. Many parents choose to support their baby's sleep this way and introduce sleep training later—when and if it feels right for them.
While many families choose to wait until the 4-month mark to begin formal sleep training, the truth is that independent sleep is a skill that develops gradually—and it can begin long before that with gentle, age-appropriate steps. From the start, you can practice short, consistent routines before naps and bedtime, offer sleep in a consistent space, and occasionally try placing your baby down awake. These early exposures, done with warmth and responsiveness, can reduce sleep struggles later on and help your baby feel more secure and familiar with their sleep space (Mindell et al., 2006).
Myth #3: “If your baby is making noise or moving around at night, they must be awake.”
Newborns spend a lot of time in active sleep (a stage of REM sleep), which is lighter and can involve twitching, facial movements, grunts, or even brief cries. It can easily be mistaken for full wakefulness—but often, babies are still asleep or transitioning between sleep cycles. Going in too quickly can actually wake them unnecessarily. Experts recommend waiting a minute or two before intervening to see if your baby resettles on their own (Ferber, 2006). This small pause can support their natural development of self-soothing without formal sleep training and helps you better recognize when your baby truly needs support.
Myth #4: "Newborns should be sleeping in total silence to get good rest." Many parents believe that their baby needs a completely silent environment to sleep well. While it's true that some babies are particularly sensitive to noise, others can actually benefit from gentle background sounds, like white noise, to mimic the soothing sounds of the womb. In fact, research suggests that soft background noise can help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by masking other household sounds that might startle them awake (Harrison & Anderson, 2014). Instead of worrying about total silence, focus on creating a calm, consistent sleep environment that works for your baby.
What does help lay the foundation for independent sleep?
Focus on rhythms, not rigid schedules. Offer full feedings, a predictable wind-down routine, and pay attention to sleepy cues so your baby isn’t getting overtired. If your baby falls asleep in your arms, that’s okay—in time, you can gradually start offering opportunities to fall asleep in the crib when they’re drowsy but awake. Sleep is a developmental process, not a performance. With time, consistency, and a lot of grace, your baby will learn the skills they need—no harsh methods required.
Citations:
Harrison, Y., & Anderson, C. (2014). The role of background noise in infant sleep: Effects of white noise on sleep duration and quality. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 18(3), 213-222.
Mindell, J. A., Sadeh, A., Wiegand, B., How, T. H., & Goh, D. Y. T. (2010). Cross-cultural differences in infant and toddler sleep. Sleep Medicine, 11(3), 274–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2009.04.012
Mindell, J. A., Kuhn, B., Lewin, D. S., Meltzer, L. J., & Sadeh, A. (2006). Behavioral treatment of bedtime problems and night wakings in infants and young children. Sleep, 29(10), 1263–1276. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/29.10.1263
Pinilla, T., & Birch, L. L. (1993). Help Me Make It Through the Night: Behavioral Entrainment of Breast-Fed Infants’ Sleep Patterns. Pediatrics, 91(2), 436–444.
Ferber, R. (2006). Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems (Revised Edition). Simon & Schuster.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know. American Academy of Pediatrics.
