Sleeping -Tips on Helping Your Baby or Toddler to Sleep
"Sleeping Like A Baby", a wonderful phrase but certainly not
in my household for the first six weeks of my son's life!
Teaching your baby to settle themselves to sleep could be
the most important technique that you'll learn when you
first bring your new baby home. It's absolutely fine to
comfort and cuddle your baby to sleep, however as they grow
older this can become a habit and will be the only way your
little one will know how to fall asleep.
From the age of 6 months is probably the best time to start
teaching your baby to settle themselves (you could start as
early as 3 months if you feel the time is right). One of the
first things to do when you bring your baby home is to start
establishing a routine. This routine will alter slightly as
your baby grows, however the basic timetable remains the
same. Before putting your baby down for a nap during the
day, make sure they have some quiet time to relax. Babies
will resist sleeping if they are over stimulated or over
tired. Look for the telltale signs of eye rubbing, yawning
or irritability and then get them to bed as soon as
possible. Wait too long and your baby will have a tough time
settling down. Every baby will have a different sleep need,
however most babies up to four months will take up to three
naps per day, by 6 months two naps per day. They eventually
drop this down to 1 nap by the time they are 18 months old.
Help your baby distinguish between day & night by having
different routines for day time naps to night time sleeps.
For instance, I put my baby to sleep in a different room
during the day as to what
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I did at night time so by the age
of 3 months he was aware that his bassinet was for sleeping
through the night! At night time try bathing your baby to
help them relax, then read them a book and then put them to
bed drowsy but not asleep. This way they will learn to put
themselves to sleep.
If all else fails and your baby is still inconsolable at nap
or sleep time, don't worry this doesn't mean you are not a
good parent! Even the most timid of babies can have bad days
where everything you try just won't work. Try taking your
baby for a walk in the pram, the motion of the pram may send
them off to sleep and the fresh air will help you to relax.
If you really don't think you can take anymore, then call a
friend or relative, they may be able to come over and
relieve you for a little while and maybe even get your baby
to sleep.
Even though you may think this is never going to end and
your baby will never get to sleep, eventually things do get
better, it's all just a matter of time! Most importantly,
don't stress because more than likely your stress will pass
onto the baby, just relax and enjoy each moment of your
babies time as believe me before you know it a year of your
baby's life has passed by and you wonder where the time has
gone and what you stressed about!
About the Author
As well as being a fulltime Mother, Monique is a partner in Bella Creations, an online gift shop specialising in unique gift arrangements & individual gift products for Men, Women & Babies. To view her gift range, log on at Baby Gifts Australia.
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