Getting great sleep is crucial for your baby's development. It promotes better feeding and helps them cope with their day. During sleep, your baby's brain processes information, consolidates memories, restores and repairs their body, strengthens their immune system, regulates their emotions and mood, and also regulates their metabolism and appetite! So all the good stuff.
Here are my top tips for establishing healthy sleep habits for newborns:
Safe Sleep: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm mattress, and avoid using loose bedding or soft objects in the cot to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Always follow the SIDS safe guidelines.
Establish a Routine: Children thrive off a routine and so do their body clocks! Consistent sleep routines help signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down. This might include a bedtime routine, choosing a sleep phrase, and giving them the opportunity to sleep in their sleep space as much as possible.
Monitor Awake Windows: Newborns have short wake windows. Pay attention to sleep cues like glassy eyes, blank staring, pink skin on their eyebrows, turning away and avoiding interaction. Catching the drowsy signs early will help prevent overtiredness.
Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment: After 3 weeks of age, make sure the sleeping environment is nice and dark. This reduces stimulation, making it easier for babies to settle. Newborns only start producing their melatonin hormone around 8 weeks of age, so darkness will support the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps them fall asleep and stay asleep.
Newborns can become easily overstimulated. Our days are often filled with activities, people and outings. If your baby has fussy periods, turns into you or has trouble settling, perhaps giving your little one some quiet time to help calm their nervous system.
Day/Night Differentiation: Help your baby distinguish between day and night by keeping daytime feedings and interactions bright and stimulating, while night time interactions should be calm, dark and quiet.
Comfort and Soothing: Incorporating soothing techniques such as baby massage, swaddling, pacifier (once feeding is established), white noise and patting to help your baby transition to sleep more easily.
Remember, every baby is unique, it’s important to be flexible and patient as you navigate your baby’s sleep needs and routines.
If you need help with your infant or toddler’s sleep, check out my sleep support packages. I pride myself on delivering an in-depth personalised sleep plan and holistic assessment to the families I work with. I will be your biggest supporter, as we work together on improving your child's sleep.
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