Tips for the Eat, Play, Sleep Routine!

The eat, play, sleep routine for newborns is not as hard as it sounds! This predictable, simple routine can be started as soon as your newborn (0-4 month old) wakes up in the morning. Don’t worry, I have some tips for you to make this transition as easy as possible!

Did you know? Implementing an effective eat, play, sleep routine for your newborn encourages great sleep habits!

It is great to start the eat, play, sleep routine at an early age to set your baby up for sleep success! Feeding to sleep may not seem like that big of a deal when they are little but as time goes on it can negatively impact naps and bedtime. When your baby relies on feeding to sleep then they can struggle to learn to fall asleep on their own. When your baby feeds to sleep they are relying on food to FALL to sleep.

When you implement the eat, play, sleep routine your newborn will be able to eat well because they are awake for the entire feeding. When your newborn gets enough calories during the day and they weigh over 12 pounds then you will start to see longer age appropriate night stretches! Eating shortly after they first wake up ensures that they will get in a good feeding because they will stay awake the whole time! Eat, Play, Sleep is a great newborn routine!

This eat, play, sleep routine is great for the younger ages such as 0-4 months old and transitions well into a wake window schedule. 

A wake window schedule is an awake time based on your baby’s age. Remember, wake windows increase often the first few months of your babies life. You can start this routine any time, it’s not too late to help your baby establish great sleeping habits!

Here’s how to start this routine!

• First is EAT. Feed your baby upon waking up for the day while your baby is quiet and not crying. (Crying is a late hunger cue.) Look for newborn hunger cues  such as your baby licking their lips or rooting! Feeding your baby every 2-3 hours during the day helps them to get in more calories. The benefit is that you may start to see a longer stretch of sleep at night!

• Follow feeding with PLAY time! Play can be really simple the first few months of your newborns life. Here are some ideas… you can talk to your baby while you fold laundry, tummy time, or reading a book together. Everything is new at this age so it’s okay to keep it simple.

• Next is SLEEP! Newborns wake windows are very short. Keep an eye on the clock when they wake up and get them swaddled and laying back down again at the end of their awake window. (Swaddling is a great positive sleep association that will help your baby sleep longer stretches at night!)

Here’s a TIP: Establishing a healthy sleep routine for your newborn doesn’t mean giving up those cozy contact naps you both cherish. However, gently introducing one bassinet nap a day can be a game-changer for your baby’s sleep development.

While contact naps are wonderful and provide comfort, helping your newborn get comfortable with napping in the bassinet is a skill that benefits from practice.

Start by choosing one nap each day for the bassinet; it doesn’t need to be the same time every day. Keep the environment soothing with dim lights and white noise, and try laying your baby down awake at the end of their awake window. This allows them to practice self-soothing and learn how to fall asleep in the bassinet on their own in a very natural way.

Remember, the rest of their naps can still be those snuggly, contact naps they love. It’s all about finding balance—nurturing the closeness you share while gently helping your baby build the skills needed for independent sleep as they grow. With consistency, you’re setting up a positive foundation that will support better sleep routines in the months ahead.

As a Postpartum Doula I have seen this routine work really well! It is easy to implement and maintain and newborns do really well on it! Newborns and babies thrive on routine! Routines help your baby understand what is happening next. And as a parent it allows you some predictability as well in your day to day routine.

The eat, play, sleep routine is a schedule that provides babies with a sense of security and stability, which is essential for their overall well-being. Consistency is key when it comes to establishing healthy sleep patterns! This routine is a great way to start promoting that.

Remember to be patient and flexible as you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. With time and consistency you will master the art of eat, play, sleep and enjoy the rest that comes with it!