When it comes to newborn sleep, one of the biggest game-changers is digestion. A baby’s gut plays a huge part in whether they settle well, feed effectively and sleep soundly. On the flip side, digestive discomfort often shows up as fussing feeding, short naps or what many describe as “colic.” Indeed, what we commonly call infant colic is often tied to digestion issues and knowing how to support your baby’s gut can be the missing link in your sleep strategy.
In this blog, we’ll cover seven essential steps that form the core of the 7pm-to-7am Sleeping Baby Routine and focus on easing your baby’s digestive discomfort which in turn supports better sleep.
Ditch the comfort sucking
What looks like colic, with excessive crying, tension, bloated bellies - wind can be triggered or worsened by digestive stimulation. When a newborn uses a dummy or comfort sucking frequently in the early months, it can stimulate their gut, cause increased gas and upset their digestion. I'm not anti dummies but for the newborn stage, this action can cause more digestive problems than calm and have a negative impact on a baby's sucking association
So: for the newborn stage, it’s wise to try prevent dummy use. I’m not saying no to dummies forever, but in this stage, reducing comfort sucking can help the gut stay calm.
Go gas-free in the early weeks
For breast-feeding mums, what you eat does matter when it comes to how your baby digests. A gentle, low-gas diet in those first 6–8 weeks can improve your baby’s digestive comfort, reduce wind and support better feeding (and thus sleep).
Digestive discomfort from gas or a slightly unsettled gut is one of the factors often seen in babies described as “colicky.”
When you pair that diet with structured meal-like feeds, the difference is really noticeable.
Burp, burp, burp
Trapped air = unhappy tummy = more likely fussing, shorter naps, and colic-style symptoms. Because newborns are not able to burp themselves, frequent breaks during and after feeds help massively.
Research shows that babies with such wind or digestion issues tend to show more colic-style symptoms.
So the rule of thumb? If bottle-feeding → every 30-40 ml; if breastfeeding → every 2-5 minutes (when flow’s fast), then check again every 10-20 minutes after the feed during awake time and milk is still digesting. Your newborn is now set for a long peaceful nap.
Feed until full
A baby who isn’t well-fed will often show signs that look like colic or digestive upset but the root cause might simply be that the tummy isn’t quite satisfied.
When your baby actively feeds and finishes fully, their tummy’s happier, digestion’s smoother and sleep improves. My top tip is to check, understand and where needed work on increasing milk supply to support fuller feeds.
Underfeeding or frequent small feeds prevent proper gut emptying, which leads us to the next point.
Space the feeds
For proper digestion, the gut needs time to empty and reset. If feeds are too close together or constant “snacking” happens, the digestive system gets overwhelmed and wind/gas/colic-type symptoms are more likely.
Spacing feeds properly supports both digestion, hunger pressure and sleep-cycle development. It’s a key part of linking digestion and settling. Structure without strictness
Routines help reduce gas the chance of colic-style episodes because they support digestive rhythm, feeding rhythm and sleep rhythm. In other words, when the body knows what’s coming, the gut often copes better.
Think of your baby’s day as: eat → play → sleep → repeat.
This doesn’t mean clock-watching rigidly, but giving your baby consistent cues helps them and their tummy feel more settled.
Support the gut from the inside
If your baby was born via c-section or is formula-fed, their gut bacteria may differ from a vaginally born, breast-fed baby. Emerging research confirms a link between gut micro-flora and colic and digestion issues.
A good-quality baby-specific probiotic can help support the gut, reduce digestive discomfort and thus possibly reduce the signs and symptoms often attributed to colic.
Bringing it all together
“Colic” and digestive discomfort aren’t always separate often a baby's feeding, burping pattern and structure of routine is the colic. Recognising the link between digestion and sleep, and acting on it, is what creates sustainable change.
If your baby is showing signs of colic – lots of crying with little clear cause, wind, tension, arching, knees pulled up then these seven steps give you a structured way to support them.
If you’re still in the dark and your baby’s digestion really is giving you grief, you don’t have to go it alone. Book a home visit or 5 day remote support program and we’ll tailor a plan around your baby’s feeding, digestion and sleep.
