Yep, we wish postpartum care was cheaper too. The cost is still out of pocket for most, even though the need is there. Until newborn care is accessible to more families through insurance, we’ve got options of How to Pay for a Postpartum Doula below.
How to Pay for a Postpartum Doula
Yes We Have Carrot and Maven Approved Doulas
Companies sometimes offer employee benefits which pay for overnight postpartum doulas. The most widely known are Carrot and Maven. In addition to labor and night doula care, these private insurers can help you cover fertility treatments, adoption and more. Carrot and Maven coverage requires certified doulas who can provide proof of their education and experience. Let Mommy Sleep has Carrot approved night doulas and Maven approved providers listed on the Newborn & Postpartum Support (NAPS) Registry.
If your company does not offer one of these benefits, ask about including Let Mommy Sleep Postpartum Visits or night nanny care to the benefit program. The LMS package is very easy to implement and the impact on recruiting and retention far outweighs the costs.
Put Us on Your Baby Registry
Be Her Village is a baby registry solely for newborn and postpartum care services. Think of it as your night doula GoFundMe. As a Be Her Village partner, hours of Let Mommy Sleep services can be added to expecting parents’ baby registry. Loved ones simply deposit funds directly into the new parents’ account. Instead of a baby registry full of “stuff,” parents receive the support they need! ***This is especially helpful for parents of newborn twins. ***
Creating your registry is free and you get your FULL gift every time, with no fees taken out. If someone sends you $100, you get the full $100.
Pay Over Time and Finance with Affirm
Every Let Mommy Sleep location has partnered with Affirm. This means you have a pay-over-time financing option, sometimes without interest. Checking the terms of an Affirm purchase does not affect your credit score and there’s also is a 0% interest option. Families can purchase packages of nights and then use the nights however they wish or simply pay when they sign on. (You’ve probably seen or used Affirm when making an Amazon purchase!) Learn more.
How to Pay for a Postpartum Doula – Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
In-home night doula and postpartum services are sometimes HSA eligible. Acceptance depends on the parameters of your HSA issuer; some will only cover care that occurs in a healthcare facility, not in the home. If coverage is confirmed, you can use your HSA card just like a credit card and receive the tax savings of a Health Savings Account. On that note, Let Mommy Sleep services are also eligible to be included in the child-care tax credit during tax time.
Private Insurance
While pediatric care is covered in the home when a newborn has medical need, it’s not as common for private insurers to cover night nurses for a parents medical need. However, when coverage is doctor directed, insurance must cover the cost. The parent’s physician usually needs to write a letter attesting that the parents health will be positively impacted by getting sleep.
An important note is that “night nurse” is often used as a colloquial term for “overnight caregiver.” In terms of health insurance coverage however, insurers may require that services are provided by a licensed Nurse. This means the newborn or postpartum care provider must be 1 of the following: Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). We can provide this level of care and while we don’t communicate with insurance companies, we can provide invoices with the correct wording for you to receive reimbursement.
Medicaid
Medicaid offers postpartum benefits varying by state. If you are eligible for Medicaid, coverage typically includes pregnancy and delivery. But you can check online if your state includes postpartum visits. More and more states are doing this!
Parents often ask us if we can help their baby or twins sleep through the night. The honest answer is yes, when a baby is developmentally ready, we can help families work toward longer stretches of overnight sleep, usually gradually over the course of a week or two. But the answer is also no: we do not offer “shock-and-awe” sleep training or short, 1–3 night interventions. We don’t have secret information that parents don’t already have, and we don’t believe families need an outside expert to take over in order for their baby to learn healthy sleep.
What we do have is long-term pattern recognition from working overnight with thousands of babies across every feeding method, temperament, and household setup, often with the same families for weeks or months at a time. That experience allows us to answer a more useful question:
When it comes to helping infants sleep through the night, one of the biggest challenges is wondering if your child is physically ready. What if they’re hungry? Are they starting to get sick? Do they feel abandoned? Even with all the data out there, these are all valid worries! For parents that would like a guideline to beginning a gradual change from waking through the night to sleeping through the night, here are the Free Baby Sleep Schedules by Age.
“At this age, what is biologically realistic sleep?”
This guide outlines what overnight sleep typically looks like at each stage of infancy, when longer stretches become possible, and how overnight feeds are gradually reduced when families want that outcome. These are not rigid schedules. They are age-based sleep expectations grounded in infant physiology and circadian development.
What Longer Sleep Looks Like at Each Stage of Infant Development
0–8 Weeks: There’s No “Night Sleep,” There’s Only Sleep
In the newborn phase you are following your baby’s lead. Our nurses like to say if it feels like you’re always feeding the baby you’re dong it right! Newborns have tiny tummies so they eat frequently and it’s common for them to wake up hungry every 2 to 3 hours, and sometimes even more.
Circadian rhythm: Not developed
Typical longest stretch: 2–3 hours
Night waking: Normal and necessary
Primary goal: Safe sleep, feeding on demand, parental recovery
Night Nurses Note: Newborns cannot be conditioned to sleep through hunger, discomfort or the need for connection. Any reduction in overnight waking must be gradual and responsive.
8–16 Weeks: Emerging Patterns, Not Training
Circadian rhythm: as your baby matures, their system will begin to produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) and they will begin to develop the day and night cycles that they will have for the rest of their lives.
Typical longest stretch: 3–5 hours
Night feeds: Still expected and typical
Common change parents notice: One longer stretch early in the night. It is also normal for baby to be awake and alert during the night, the same way they are during the day after a feed.
This stage reflects pattern emergence, but not readiness for abrupt or time-limited sleep training.
4–6 Months: Readiness Window
Circadian rhythm: Established
Typical longest stretch: 6–8 hours for some babies
Night feeds: May still occur
Pediatricians often discuss sleep expectations at the 4-month visit
This is the earliest window where gentle, gradual overnight changes, including slowly reducing overnight feeds, may be discussed, often over weeks rather than nights. Our Ultimate Guide to Baby Sleep Training contains step by step instructions on how to reduce feeds.
6–9 Months: Consolidation Phase
Typical night sleep: 10–12 hours with or without a feed
Night waking may still happen due to:
Teething
Illness – congestion and illness can cause night waking but remember that starting a new solid food can also cause gastric distress as baby’s body adjusts to the new foods.
Growth spurts – sometimes infants need calories overnight to fuel their growing bodies
Developmental leaps – babies love to practice the new skills of standing up, scooting around, talking and singing in the comfort of their cribs!
Longer sleep is common during this phase, especially when overnight feeds are reduced slowly and intentionally. Parents might consider giving a Dreamfeed around 10pm to help 6-7 month old infants stay full until they wake up in the morning. Regression is still normal during these months.
9–12 Months: Habit vs. Hunger
Night waking often becomes behavioral rather than nutritional – it’s not that baby has “bad habits” when it comes to sleep, it’s simply that they’ve never done sleep any other way than a series of long naps.
Consistency matters more than method – the sleep training methods really aren’t all that different, it’s more about what parents can stick with.
Separation anxiety may temporarily disrupt sleep
At this stage, routines, not rigid schedules or rapid sleep-training methods, matter most. But if and when parents decide it’s time for formal sleep training, success will depend on the parent’s ability to stay consistent.
Things to Remember
Twins and Multiples
Twins and higher-order multiples typically follow the same sleep-readiness timeline as singletons. When room-sharing, minimal overnight intervention can help babies learn to sleep through each other’s normal sleep noises. More tips for twins here.
Nursing Parents
Night weaning is a physiological process for the parent as well. If you’re breastfeeding, gradual reduction protects milk supply, comfort and hormonal balance. A lactation consultant can help guide the process safely and comfortably.
Crying and Sleep
Crying does not automatically indicate distress. Some babies cry briefly as a way to transition between sleep cycles. If sleep training does not feel right for your family, waiting is a valid choice. Healthy attachment is not dependent on sleep method.
FAQ: Baby Sleep Schedules by Age
When do babies start sleeping through the night? Biologically, most babies are not capable of sustained overnight sleep until at least 4 months of age, when circadian rhythm matures. It’s also normal for many babies age 4 months and older to need to take in calories overnight, so it’s recommended that parents ask their pediatricians if their baby is ready to start sleeping through the night.
Do formula-fed infants sleep longer than breastfed babies? No. While feeding type affects digestion, sleep consolidation depends more on neurological development than feeding method.
Can I ruin my baby’s sleep by responding at night? No. Responsive nighttime care in infancy does not create bad habits. Sleep patterns evolve with development and babies do not learn to sleep through hunger, pain or discomfort.
What if my baby slept well and then stopped? Sleep regressions commonly occur during growth spurts, illness, teething, and cognitive development. These are temporary.
Are schedules necessary for good sleep? No. Schedules are tools, not requirements. Biological readiness matters more than clock-based timing.
You might be highly respected in your career, an organizational whiz everywhere else in your life, or a Type-A genius. Your baby does not care! Because these babies do whatever they please, new parents often seek routines and schedules; humans love predictability! So our team of Night Nannies and Baby Nurses made these Infant Sleep Schedules to help. Of course these are just examples of typical infant sleep, but if you need a starting point, All the Infant Sleep Schedules in One Place is for you.
All the Infant Sleep Schedules in One Place – Expectations
While sleep schedules can be helpful, we all know that every baby is different and there are so many things that can affect infant sleep and feeding. Illness, growth spurts and older siblings’ activities are just 3 examples of instances why we can’t expect an exact schedule everyday. Babies also grow into their next daily routine gradually over the course of weeks and sometimes months. Your baby will show you when they’re ready for a change in nap or sleep schedule.
When your baby is ready to sleep through the night, a step by step guide can help.
Til then, use the schedules below to help!
Infant Sleep Cycles Guideline for typical times awake for a full term baby typical awake times
Why Not Before Four Months Old?
Before 4 months of age (16 weeks!), infants have not yet developed a mature circadian rhythm, which regulates their sleep and wake cycle. Their sleep patterns are still evolving. They’re also still very little! So the need to wake up during the night for feeding and other essential needs is normal and healthy. Please do not try to sleep train a newborn, we can’t coach them not to be hungry or need a diaper change.
And of course if you’re breastfeeding, your own body will still wake you in the night. It’s perfectly normal for baby to nurse through the night for nutrition and comfort well after 4 months old. This is true of formula fed babies as well but it’s important to note that breastfeeding doesn’t just “stop” cold-turkey. La Leche League talks about weaning much better than we ever could here. You can begin the discussion about sleep training and sleep expectations at the 4 month pediatrician visit.
Simply put, newborns can’t be taught to not feel hunger, need a diaper change or need to be held by a trusted adult.
All the Infant Sleep Schedules in One Place photo courtesy of Cribs for Kids
All the Infant Sleep Schedules in One Place – What About Toddler Sleep?
Allowing your toddler to sleep through the night is easier -but also harder!)- than helping your infant sleep without interruption. It’s easier because you can talk about sleep expectations and your child will understand! It’s harder because it can be uncomfortable and even scary for them to sleep in a whole new way, without visits from you or being in the big bed through the night.
Patience is the key here. There are 4 basic steps to allowing toddlers to sleep through the night and repetition and consistency is key. There are many variation of sleep training toddlers and you can search for the one that feels right for your family, but the 4 basic steps are almost always:
Talk about the expectation of sleep before the formal sleep training begins.
During the first few nights, stay next to the bed until your toddler is sleepy. If toddler is standing up, gently place them back in a laying down position. Yes, you will most likely have to place them back into bed several times. Stay patient and calm, you’re there so they can feel safe and secure.
Continue to stay with them but for less and less time.
If your child wakes in the night, you can bring them back to their bed or stay with them in their room until they are asleep.
One note, even if your toddler sleeps in the bed with you try to remember it won’t be forever. You are their favorite person so of course they want to be near you. It’s comforting in the big bed.
If you’re expecting and want more tips, sign up to receive our free newborn and postpartum support guide!
With all the information overload out there for expecting and new parents, our team of Baby Nurses & Night Nannies created this blog, Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A. Bookmark this article for evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about postpartum and newborn care. #WeAreYourVillage
Your First Week Home with Baby
What can I do to help myself physically heal after giving birth?
An abdominal binder is a postpartum must-have. Social media would have us believe it’s to get back your “pre-baby body,” but there are actually several important health reasons to use a binder. As Bridgett Miller Dixon, NP notes, In addition to helping with pain -particularly after cesarean birth- they help with internal and external healing by adding compression to the abdomen while improving blood circulation and oxygen levels. Binders also keep c-section stitches covered, protecting the area while it heals. They’re easy to find at your local drug store or Amazon and are priced at about $20-$30.
Some manufacturers of binders may claim that the products help a postpartum tummy go back to its pre-pregnancy shape, but there’s no evidence to support this claim. While an abdominal binder will help support your lower back and keep you comfortable, exercise and diet are the only ways to get stronger abs…if that’s your goal!
What are the best foods to eat after giving birth?
After giving birth, your body needs nutrient-dense foods to heal, recover and support milk production if you’re breastfeeding. Some of the best foods to eat postpartum include: lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs and beans to repair tissue and keep your energy up. Whole grains such as oats, quinoa, and brown rice provide steady energy and fiber to help prevent constipation, which is common after delivery.
Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil support hormone balance and brain health. Adding plenty of leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and fruits gives your body essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to aid recovery. Hydration is also key, drink water throughout the day and include soups or broths, which are soothing and replenishing.
Pre-made dinners in the freezer and snacks at the ready are key. To take you through the day, here are 7 Power Breakfasts for New Parents, packed with nutrients.
How do I know if I have Postpartum Depression (PPD)?
Baby blues usually last up to 2 weeks and include mood swings, crying, and fatigue. Postpartum depression is more severe and lasts longer. Signs of PPD include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in your baby, anxiety or thoughts of harm. It’s never wrong to reach out to your doctor in the first 2 weeks. But if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks or feel overwhelming, reach out to your OB or call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (833-852-6262). PPD is common and treatable.
The link between sleep deprivation and postpartum depression has been proven but you can learn how to help by reading Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Depression: Proven Tips to Help Sleep is also recommended to help with post-birth healing, increasing milk production and following safe sleep guidelines for baby. But how the heck are you supposed to get real blocks of sleep when your baby is up every 2-3 hours to feed?
Here are 3 ways to get more sleep:
Swap blocks of time or entire nights with your partner – Each parent is in charge of baby’s feeding, diapering and soothing back to sleep for half the night. This ensures that you each get at least 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. If possible, do 2 nights on and 2 nights off to get the deep, restorative sleep that keeps our immune systems strong. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, simply stay in bed to nurse while your partner does all other care on your “off” night.
Accept Help – This should be obvious but there’s sometimes a guilt factor in accepting help when caring for our newborns. Now is the time to call on your village for a few hours so you can sleep! If your village is too far away or you don’t have one, you can always call a night doula service. If you’d like to learn more, read What’s a Night Nanny?
Be ready to sleep when it’s time – Resist the urge to scroll! Practice deep breathing if you find it hard to switch off when it’s time to sleep. A dark room that is always used for sleep and white noise can also help you make the transition from awake to asleep.
Your First Week Home with Baby: Feeding
How to know if baby is eating enough first week?
If you’ve wondered, how big is a newborn’s stomach? you should know a newborn’s stomach is only between the size of a walnut and an apricot in the first week of life. This means that because babies only eat small amounts, they eat frequently! Understanding this helps both breast and bottle-feeding parents understand feeding expectations.
Here’s why:
If you’re nursing and it seems like baby is always on the breast, that’s perfectly normal! As long as babies are producing wet and soiled diapers, that means they’re getting enough to eat. Remember that skin-to-skin contact is crucial in establishing milk supply too so if it feels like baby is attached to you, that’s not only healthy, it’s helpful!
Formula feeding parents: don’t let even the tiniest bottle of pre-made formula fool you! Even the 2 ounce bottles the hospital gives away are usually way too big for at least the first week of your newborn’s life. Babies will continue drinking even if they’re full. Like adults, their tummies don’t receive the signal to stop until our stomachs hurt.
Slow, patient feeding, with lots of time to burp is key. Like babies who are fed from the breast, small, slow and frequent feeds are the norm when bottle feeding.
Isnewborn weight loss normal?
Now that we’ve talked about how very small, frequent feeds are the norm for newborns, we should note that even with all that eating, it’s actually expected for babies to lose weight in the first few days of life. Babies are born with some extra fluid, so a healthy newborn is expected to lose 7% to 10% of the birth weight.
So if it seems like your baby is eating all the time but losing weight, don’t worry because that weight will come back on within about the first 2 weeks after being born. Of course you should always drop by your pediatrician for a weight check if you want to be sure baby is developing normally.
I’m breastfeeding…when will my milk come in?
It can take 3-5 days for your milk to come in and these days are usually the hardest because your newborn is waking up and hungry. Common -but not always- reasons for a delay in milk production are c-section, complicated delivery or obesity.
Here are tips to help stimulate milk production:
Have friends and family take care of you, so you can feed the baby. Stress, hunger and sleep deprivation can delay lactation. Friends and family can be overwhelming, but it’s important to have someone whose job is to look after you. They need to be sure you’re eating, drinking and resting. (Not adding more work!)
No time at the breast is wasted time. Even if it’s just a little bit at a time, breast milk can be transferred to baby drop by drop, even if the baby is primarily getting nutrition from formula.
Don’t wait until baby is screaming to nurse – Allowing baby to be skin to skin with you before latching can make nursing calm and give your body a chance to get ready for feeding. Non-feeding caregivers should also learn the signs of hunger to be ready to hand baby over!
Skin to skin – You and your baby are literally a feeding dyad…skin to skin works when increasing milk supply.
Check your latch– Nursing should never hurt. If it’s painful for you, contact La Leche League, your pediatrician or a lactation counselor who can check baby’s latch.
Hand express or pump – Pumping both breasts after baby has finished nursing can help stimulate milk.
There is a wide range of “normal” when it comes to infant sleep. Babies don’t develop regular sleep cycles until about 6 months of age. There may be a few long stretches of sleep while baby is still in the sleepy newborn stage but they typically wake up every 2-3 hours because they’re hungry.
Babies of healthy weight don’t usually need to be woken up to feed. Unless you have specific directions from the hospital or doctor to wake your newborn, it’s okay to allow them to feed on demand. They will typically make up for a “lost” feed with cluster feeds later.
Where should my baby sleep?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing but not bed-sharing for the first 6 months. This means that your baby is sleeping in the same room as you, but not in the same bed. A flat bassinet next to your bed is an ideal set-up. Baby should be alone (no blankets or stuffed animals), on a flat, firm mattress and flat on their back to adhere to safe sleep recommendations. Read the 10 Steps to Safe Sleep for Baby here.
What should my baby wear to sleep?
The rule of thumb is that baby should wear what you would be comfortable in, plus 1 layer. For example, a recommended outfit for baby to sleep in would be a onesie, footed pajamas and a snug swaddle. At this age baby’s movements are not always purposeful and the reflexive movements they have can keep them awake. A snug swaddle will help.
We always like to remind parents of what RN Rachelle said in this Mom.com article about baby hats. I see hats move a lot while babies are sleeping! Take them off if you’re both going to sleep.
Newborn not sleeping at night — what to do?
If you find yourself Googling ‘newborn not sleeping at night what to do,’ you’re not alone. In the first week, babies often mix up day and night. The best step is to keep daytime bright and interactive, and nighttime calm and quiet so your baby learns the difference. Remember it’s also normal for newborns wake up every 2 to 3 hours to feed.
Your First Week Home with Baby: Soothing
Is it normal for my baby to make this much noise?!
Yes! Grunting and newborn “squawks” are perfectly normal during sleep. Babies typically make these noises because their bodies are getting used to digesting milk or formula…something they never had while in the womb! To put it another way, your baby is having bowel movements for the first time in their life and that can cause them to strain. Of course if you are ever worried or something doesn’t feel right, contact your pediatrician.
There’s a reason every baby looks like a little burrito in the hospital- swaddling is very soothing and comforting to them. Swaddling mimics the feeling of the womb and also keeps babies from waking themselves as their arms and legs experience unintentional reflexes. Here’s how to do it!
Remember to use an actual swaddle blanket, which is larger than the towels and baby blankets we typically see for sale. Swaddle blankets also have a bit more stretch in the fabrics to keep babies snug. Do not use a weighted swaddle blanket as they are not proven safe for sleep.
I’ve tried everything and my newborn is still crying! What should I do?
First, trust your instincts. Remember that you are your baby’s primary caregiver and the expert in your baby. If something doesn’t feel right or if you have concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your pediatrician or primary care provider.
Second, be sure your baby isn’t hungry. Since newborns can only eat less than an ounce at a time, they might be hungry even though they just ate a little while ago. If they’re not hungry try one of the Top 10 Ways to Calm a Fussy Baby.
There are lots of newborn care experts out there but you are the expert in YOUR baby. If you feel that something isn’t right, contact your pediatrician. Newborns are typically “sleepy” for several weeks so if your baby is crying and inconsolable it’s best to rule out any medical issues. And if baby is crying and you feel like you’re losing your patience, it is okay to place them safely in a crib while you contact the doctor or regain your patience.
How Do I Sort Through All the Baby Advice on the Internet?
If you’ve ever typed a newborn or postpartum question into Google, you’ve probably been hit with thousands of conflicting answers. The best way to sort through all the information on the internet is to stick with evidence-based sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of OBGYN’s and organizations dedicated to maternal and infant health. Lean on licensed professionals like pediatricians, nurses and lactation consultants rather than influencers or forums.
Most importantly, remember that your baby and your recovery are unique, so while general guidelines are helpful, your pediatrician and OB/GYN are your best resources. Here are the Best Newborn Care Websites You’ve Never Heard Of.
Week One Survival Checklist
In addition to pre-made meals, diapers and baby gear, here’s a quick checklist of other items to prepare for your first week home:
Abdominal binder or support garment
Sleep blocks scheduled with partner or outside help
Emergency numbers: pediatrician after-hours, hotline for maternal mental health
Bookmark evidence-based websites for data based answers you might need in the night
If you have questions, our team of night nurses and doulas is here for you. Contact us to schedule a postpartum or virtual visit. Would you like the booklet version of the Guide? Download here!
Updated November 11, 2025 – This article explains why the AAP and WHO recommend no screen time for babies under age 2, how blue light affects sleep and vision, and practical alternatives parents can use.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), children age 2 and younger should avoid screen time except for video chatting. The major reasons are because early exposure is associated with disrupted sleep, delayed speech and behavioral issues. This article, You Should Know: Blue Light, Screen Time and Babies goes into more detail about each.
You Should Know: Blue Light, Screen Time and Babies- Why it Matters
Screen use effects all of us really, but newborns, infants and toddlers and particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of screen time. Their systems are still immature so screens and blue light may take a greater toll.
Can early screen time cause aggression or behavioral changes? – Early screen use is associated with more aggressive behaviors. Again this doesn’t mean screens cause aggression, just that the two are associated. This may be because babies exposed to overstimulating visual input have less opportunity to practice emotional regulation through real-world play.
PossibleDelayed Speech and Sensory Processing – When computers or TV’s are on adults say fewer words, giving infants less chance to learn speech. Add in the child’s media use and even less communication happens.
Developing Circadian Rhythm Disruption – Blue light exposure in the evening leads to confusion between day and night. This is true for adults too.
Melatonin Suppression – Prolonged exposure to blue light after the sun goes down may interfere with the natural increase in melatonin levels, making it harder for infants and toddlers to fall asleep.
Fatigue and Increased Potential for Eye Strain – Screens may potentially be harmful to the human retina as it puts increased stress on the receptors in the eye. Research on this is still ongoing but we do know that when we watch screens, we blink less which causes strain. (NIH)
How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Infants?
While your child may be just fine, it’s important to know that all major pediatric health organizations agree that newborns and babies age 0-2 years old, should not be exposed to screens, unless they are videochatting with family. Behavioral issues, communication delays and atypical sensory processing are connected to early screen use. This is not to say screens cause these issues, just that they are associated. Current research shows associations between early screen use and developmental concerns, but not direct causation. This distinction is important because it reflects the complexity of infant development and helps parents make informed, realistic choices.
I hear a lot of parents say, ‘But my baby likes it!’ Infants may stare at the bright colors and motion on a screen, but their brains are incapable of making sense or meaning out of all those bizarre pictures. -David L. Hill, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Babies learn to speak by watching us. So in addition to confusion at what they’re seeing on screen, the amount of words they’re hearing from us drops as well (AAP).
It can be so hard to keep your infant and toddler occupied though! Especially when we have other kids to care for, are working from home and have little to no family support. While it sounds hard, the easiest way to limit screens may be to avoid them altogether; taking screens off the table means we have to find other options.
“The infant brain thrives on enriching interactions with the environment, and excessive infant screen time can reduce opportunities for real-world interactions that are important for brain development,” says Dr. Carol Wilkinson, developmental behavioral pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s important to note that Dr. Wilkinson reminds us that parents should be supported with tips and tricks for non-screen activities.
Why Does Blue Light Affect Sleep?
Blue light is present in sunlight and is a natural component of the light spectrum. If blue light is already present in just about everything we see, why should we worry about limiting exposure in infants? The answer is because artificial exposure to blue light confuses infants’ immature systems.
Developing Circadian Rhythm Disruption – Blue light plays a significant role in regulating the body’s internal clock. We know this as the circadian rhythm. Like adults, newborns and infants rely on a stable circadian rhythm to promote healthy sleep-wake cycles every 24 hours, but babies’ little systems can easily be confused. Any overnight nanny will tell you it’s difficult to flip your sleep schedule because of the strong pull of our natural circadian rhythm!
Melatonin Suppression – Melatonin is the hormone that promotes sleep. Our bodies begin to produce it as a reaction to darkness at night. Because they are still developing, a child’s melatonin production is sensitive to blue light exposure and blue light, in particular, has been shown to suppress melatonin more effectively than other wavelengths. Prolonged exposure to blue light in the evening may interfere with the natural increase in melatonin levels. We see this as adults as well!
Poor Sleep Quality and Sleep Disruption – Melatonin suppresion delays the onset of sleep. This delay has a second effect of inhibiting the increase in sleepiness during night. In other words, babies have less restorative sleep.
Fatigue and Increased Potential for Retinal Damage – Babies’ eyes are still developing. Prolonged exposure to blue light from screens at a young age could potentially contribute to eye strain and discomfort. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of screen exposure on infants’ eye health but we do know that screen use can cause digital eye strain and fatigue in adults.(American Academy of Opthomology)
What Can Parents Do Instead of Screen Time?
Infants and toddlers have sensitive developing minds and bodies that are easily influenced, and as children get older monitoring the actual content becomes more important. The good news about children age 2 and under is that they are natural scientists and interested in the world around them! Here are some ideas of what you can do instead of screens:
Put a blanket down outside and lay down with baby on your backs to watch the leaves fall, watch the sun make shadows or look for airplanes. If you’re outside too you can place baby safely in a play yard.
Give your toddler building toys like Magnatiles or soft blocks allow them to engage in active play.
Invest in plastic balls to make a mini ball pit in baby’s playyard
Fill a tissue box with different colored fabrics or handkerchiefs; let baby pull them out!
Give baby a wooden spoon and plastic bowls so they can “cook” while you’re cooking.
How much screen time is safe for infants? None, except brief video chats, according to the AAP and WHO.
Can blue light blocking glasses help babies? There’s no proven benefit for infants. Limiting screens before bedtime works better.
What’s the best alternative to screen time for babies? Real-world sensory play like using simple blocks, being outside in nature or being safely nearby watching while you narrate an activity.
Does blue light affect baby sleep? Yes. It suppresses melatonin and confuses the body’s internal clock, making it harder to fall asleep.
What if caregivers use screens when helping? Be kind but clear, explain that avoiding screens supports baby’s development and helps them sleep.
Products are available to minimize blue light such as glasses and blue light blocking screens, but data from the NIH does not show that these products are helpful or effective. Most healthcare providers agree that the best way to minimize blue light’s effects is to stay away from screens at night or before sleep.
The bottom line: Screens themselves aren’t “evil,” but for babies under age two, every minute on a screen replaces time their brains could be using for human interaction and sensory play.
