- Split the night so each of you gets one long stretch of sleep (4 to 5 hours) instead of two people sleeping badly.
- Safe sleep every time: Alone, on the Back, in a Crib or bassinet. Nothing else in there.
- The couch is the most dangerous place to fall asleep with a baby. If you're nodding off, put baby down.
A shift plan that works
Try this: she goes to bed early after the evening feed while you take baby until around 1 am, using pumped milk or formula if that's part of her plan, or bringing baby to her to feed and then doing the burp, diaper, and resettle. After that, you sleep and she takes the second half. Adjust to fit your work schedule, but protect at least one long stretch for her.
Even if she's exclusively breastfeeding
- You can be the one who gets up, changes the diaper, and brings baby to her.
- You do the burp and the resettle so she can go straight back to sleep.
- On weekends, take the first morning shift so she can sleep in.
Safe sleep basics
- Baby always goes to sleep on the back, on a firm, flat surface in a crib or bassinet.
- No pillows, blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals in the sleep space.
- Room-sharing (baby in your room, in their own bed) is recommended. Bed-sharing isn't.
- A sleep sack or swaddle instead of a loose blanket. Stop swaddling once baby starts trying to roll.
- Don't let baby sleep in a car seat, swing, or bouncer outside the car.
When you're running on empty
Sleep when you can, including naps. Say no to anything that isn't essential. If you're driving to work exhausted, that matters too: pull over if you're fading. This phase is hard and it doesn't last. Most babies start to stretch out their sleep over the first few months.