After having a baby, sleep may seem like one of the most elusive elements of life.
Most new parents only dream about a full night’s sleep because their beautiful little bundle of joy needs to get fed during the night. Once your baby is a few months old, you can aim to get between six to eight hours of sleep at a time – but that will not come easy to all babies.
Sleep is crucial for both you and your baby – this is the time your bodies and brains require to function optimally. Getting your baby to sleep through the night may be difficult at first, but once you get them into the habit, you can begin the journey of shaping their sleeping habits into healthier and happier ones.
Below are ten tips for getting your lovely little one to sleep through the night:
Develop A Rhythm
Newborn babies generally sleep for twelve hours a day, but only for an hour or two at a time. While that does not sound particularly thrilling for a budding new parent, newborn babies wake up to eat and then they go back to sleep.
At first, there will likely not be any kind of real pattern to their sleeping habits. After a few weeks, babies start sleeping for longer and staying awake for longer. A more regular sleep pattern will start to emerge as their brains and nervous systems grow and become more in tune with a rhythmical sleeping cycle.
The best advice for new parents during this stage of development is to sleep when your baby sleeps.
Consistency
Consistency is the key to getting your baby to sleep longer and better, with fewer wakeups throughout the night.
Start a regular nighttime routine with your baby, including lullaby songs, massages, and warm baths. Go to sleep at around the same time every night, that will help your baby learn to slow down and prepare for sleep.
It may not seem like it at first, but your baby will learn to follow that sleep routine on their own.
Calming Sounds
Self-soothing is when your baby learns to sleep comfortably on their awake, without constantly waking up during the night crying. It is the goal for parents, but it takes time and practice to perfect.
To help your baby learn how to soothe themselves, play calming sounds or gentle music softly in their room. Several helpful noise-making devices play a variety of sounds and/or white noise to help create a calming audio environment for your baby to sleep in.
Soothing Lighting
The best lighting environment for your baby is a darker one.
Cut down as much light as possible, without making the room too dark. Invest in a soothing nightlight that gives you just as much light as you need to navigate in and around the room without disturbing them.
The darker the room is, the less likely you will be to struggle with them being afraid of the dark when they are toddlers. Invest in a soothing lighting option, like a soft-glow night light, and place it in one of the corners of their room.
Sleepwear
The general rule of thumb for dressing a baby is to give them one extra layer of clothing than you are wearing.
Babies have a limited ability to regulate their body temperatures, so buy some gorgeous infant sleepers and choose ones based on the temperature of the room.
Experts advise against covering your baby with blankets to prevent potential suffocation or strangulation. During the winter months, pajamas and a sleep sack with a higher TOG rating should suffice if the ambient room temperature is warm enough.
Temperature
If it is normal for your baby to wake up throughout the night, but if you feel like they are waking up too often then you should check the temperature of the room.
One of the reasons why babies struggle to sleep for extended periods is because they are either too warm or too cold.
The ideal temperature of the room should not be too cold or too hot, but somewhere in the middle.
Swaddling Method
All babies are different – it is important to remember that.
Some babies love to fall asleep when they get swaddled. Others fight it and will always end up with at least one limb out! I love the Sleepea 5-second swaddle for quick and easy swaddling. Some crucial rules for swaddling include not making their swaddle too tight, ensuring they can bend their legs, and stopping swaddling them once they start learning to roll over.
Keep Baby Close
Many experts believe it is best to have your baby sleep in the same room as you. They must still sleep in their crib because adult beds are high risk for infants, especially if they become trapped under your body or between the mattress and the bed frame.
My favourite crib to have in the room for you and to give you an outside chance of getting some sleep is the SNOO smart sleeper, it gently rocks and soothes your baby to sleep and even does it when they start stirring in the night. Perfect. I wish I had it when mine were babies.
Keep your baby’s crib in your room for the first six months at least, with a year being the ideal amount of time. Doing this has been linked to a decrease in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Feeding Times
Feed your baby just before you plan to go to sleep.
That will make them feel comfortable enough to nod off soon after eating. Once you have fed them, move them into their bed – to prevent them from associating food with sleep.
Talk to your baby’s doctor about slowing down your baby’s nighttime feeds once they are at the correct weight. Only feed your baby when they need food – otherwise, you risk them developing an association with food whenever they wake up.
Have Patience
Getting your baby to sleep through the night is a skill and not one that develops in only a few days. Be patient with yourselves as parents, as well as your baby. Give your baby time to settle down, and do not worry if they fuss a bit before falling asleep – that is normal behavior.
Allow a short time to pass before checking on your baby, and if need be – offer them some comfort before trying again.
To End
Once you know your baby’s specific habits and communication style, you can shape your baby into a better sleeper. If you have concerns during this process, do not hesitate to call your baby’s healthcare provider. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry, especially if you are an inexperienced parent.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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