Keeping Baby Asleep
So, once baby finally does fall asleep, the next thing that you really need to make sure of is that he or she stays that way for the maximum length of time possible. Dress Baby For SleepTry different ways of swaddling your baby for sleep and be aware that babies often change their preferences as they grow slightly older. For example, in the early months, many babies like to go to sleep with their clothing fairly tightly wrapped around them, whilst they generally seem to like their clothes to be looser the older they become. In many cases, this can actually be adapted as a sleep aid, as dressing baby in loose clothes during the day, but using tighter clothes at night may well get baby to associate sleep with swaddling. Remember that if your baby gets too hot or too cold, they may well become restless, so you should adjust the layering of their clothes according to the temperature of the room and the sleep habits of your baby. |
Keep The Noise Down
Whilst it is not necessary to try to create a totally soundless environment – most babies can block out noise without too much difficulty - understand that some babies do get startled and awaken easily with sudden noises. For these babies try to keep all unnecessary noises to an absolute minimum.
Darkness in the bedroom
The longer you can keep babies environment dark, the longer they are likely to sleep. So, wherever possible, use opaque blinds, shutters or curtains in order to shield out as much of the light as you can.
Restful Sounds
What is generally known as ‘white noise’ - repetitive, somewhat monotonous sounds like the noise of a rotating fan or an air conditioner - can help keep baby sound asleep too. Try natural sound recordings to sleep by, such as tapes of waterfalls or ocean sounds, or any other sounds from nature that you can find, on a continuous-play tape recorder.
Music Is Good
Try playing a continuously looped tape of your baby’s favorite lullabies or nursery rhymes, so that when he or she wakes up, baby can resettle herself to the familiar sleep-inducing sound. You can make a medley of your own lullabies that have been proven sleep-inducers.
Leave A Reminder Behind
If your baby seems to be particularly sensitive to being away from you, try tape recording yourself singing a gentle lullaby and once again play it on a continuous tape recording.
A full tummy (but not too full)
Whilst it is clearly not a good thing to overfeed baby, try an extra spoon or two of food before they sleep, as it may enable you to get an hour or two of extra sleep yourself. Tiny babies have tiny tummies, not much bigger than the size of their fist, which is why babies feed at least every 4 hours or so at night and considerably more often during the day. So, even just one extra spoonful can go a surprisingly long way.
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