# Survival Tips for Parents of Newborns

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/family/parenting/survival-tips-for-parents-of-newborns/
- Published: 2012-10-22T05:18:55+11:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

[⌊Mother holding newborn baby close up of tender moment⌉⌊Mother holding newborn baby close up of tender moment⌉[These are our survival tips for parents of [newborns](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/newborn-routines/). �Many
new parents are lucky enough to have a perfectly settled newborn that sleeps 20 
out of the 24 hour period, goes 4-5 hours without a feed and sleeps in his own bed
or bassinet from day one. However, many more parents will experience the opposite
a newborn baby that catnaps for 20 minutes at a time, is [unsettled](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/ten-things-to-remember-about-new-babies/) and fussy
for long periods of time and refuses to sleep unless upright, on you or lying right
next to you. If you are in the latter category, then you are probably about ready
to pull out your hair and kick the next new parent that tells you their little angel
is ‘sleeping through the night’ already.� And, while this may help with the anger
and frustration, it won’t help with your situation or sleep deprivation. So here
are some tips that will help:

**Take a Time Out**

Everything is made 1000 times worse when you are sleep deprived and dealing with
a crying infant. You may get weepy when the toaster burns your toast or uncontrollably
angry when the television remote won’t work. What you need to do is breathe deep
and relax. You may also get especially frustrated with your newborn for not doing
what you want her to do (sleep!!) It is okay to walk away for a few minutes, gather
your thoughts, control your emotions and return to the task. When hubby gets home
from work, ask for thirty minutes to yourself. Paint your nails, have a bath or 
sit outside with a cup of tea. A thirty minute break can restore your mood and prepare
you for another long night.

**Communicate**

There are people out there that can help including friends, family and neighbours
as well as your hubby. Talk to them about helping out. Perhaps a friend could come
over and rock your baby for two hours while you lay down. Most people will be happy
to have some cuddle time with a newborn infant.

**Wear �Your Baby**

While some books are against ‘cuddling’ or spoiling your newborn, [baby wearing](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/what-is-babywearing/)
is an excellent way to ensure she is getting some sleep and that you can get things
done. There are several slings, carriers and baby wearing wraps that can make everyday
tasks a lot easier and help your newborn get some rest during the day so she is 
not completely overtired and overstimulated when night time rolls around.

**⌊Survival tips for parents of newborns | stay at home mum⌉⌊Survival tips for parents
of newborns | stay at home mum⌉Practice Self Settling Techniques**

Self-settling is not a myth (apparently) and newborns can be taught how to sleep
on their own. The key is to put baby is sleep in her cot drowsy, but awake, then
pat her, rub her or hush her to sleep. Of course, this�doesn’t�always work and you
may find that you are spending hours trying to self-settle your infant. However,
with enough persistence, it can pay off. Start small aim for one sleep a day and
then build up to more day sleeps and then tackle the night time, once you and hubby
are both ready.

**Ignore the Critics**

Everyone is an expert when it comes to dealing with a newborn baby, even people 
that don’t have children.� And, while everyone will want to help and offer advice,
it can be more than frustrating (and also sometimes insulting) hearing stories and
tips on getting baby to sleep. Listen to their ideas but don’t take everything to
heart. Yes, there are ways to self-settle a newborn but these techniques won’t work
for every baby and furthermore, some techniques are not right for everyone. So,�
mold�these ideas to your own values and do what feels right for you.

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)

 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)