Newborn sleep can feel confusing, overwhelming, and honestly… nothing like what most parents expect. In this episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen is joined by Katie Fridge from Sleepy Starts to break down the realities of newborn sleep and the latest evidence-based baby sleep safety guidelines - so you can make intentional, informed choices that support your baby’s wellbeing and your own nervous system.
Together, we explore what’s biologically normal for newborn sleep, why babies wake so often, and how feeding, attachment, and nighttime safety fit together in the early weeks and months. This conversation offers a compassionate, nuanced look at sleep safety recommendations, including crib use, roomsharing, and bedsharing - without fear tactics or judgment.
In this episode, we cover:
What to expect from normal newborn sleep patterns
Why babies wake frequently (and why that’s protective)
Up-to-date baby sleep safety guidelines
How feeding and sleep work together in the fourth trimester
Current recommendations for cribs, bassinets, and bedsharing safety
The difference between SIDS and SUID
How the sleep surface and environment influence risk
Socio-economic and equity issues surrounding sleep safety
When not to bedshare
Options for roomsharing, contact sleep, bedsharing, and responsive nighttime care
Why keeping your baby close supports their brain and nervous system development
Whether you're pregnant and prepping for those first nights, or already navigating newborn sleep and looking for clarity, this episode offers grounded, evidence-informed information with an emphasis on supporting connection and wellbeing for both mothers and babies.
Our goal is to help you explore your options, understand the guidelines, and make choices that feel intentional, aligned, and supportive for your unique family.
About today’s guest:Katie Fridge is a certified Baby-Led Sleep & Well-Being Specialist and mom who helps families find rest without sacrificing connection. Through her business, Sleepy Starts, she supports parents in understanding normal infant sleep, promoting healthy brain development, and addressing root causes to sleep challenges. Katie’s attachment-focused approach empowers families to create safe, responsive sleep environments while strengthening the parent-child bond and fostering confidence in the early years.
If you’ve been wondering how to safely care for your baby at night - whether you’re interested in roomsharing, contact napping, or curious about what safe bedsharing actually looks like - you’ll walk away from this conversation feeling informed, validated, and empowered.
Tune in for a grounded, judgment-free conversation that brings together science, safety, and the heart of motherbaby connection.
Katie's links
The Connected Sleep Foundations Bundle
Postpartum Prep Podcast
Free Postpartum Prep Checklist
Instagram
Pinterest
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
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