9 Golden Rules For Baby Sleep Bliss
Sleep is one of the biggest concerns for new parents; and the issue is as real for first-time parents as it is for parents who already have a child. Every baby is different so there can’t really be any set-in-stone rules for how you should get your baby to sleep, but there are some practical suggestions that should make things much easier. Read on to find out our top recommendations for baby sleep bliss.
Newborn to 12 Weeks
The first three months with baby can be the most challenging. Although baby will sleep for around 18 hours of every day, their sleep cycles are much shorter than ours and so you’ll have to get used to night-time feeds and nappy changes.
Be prepared
If you are bottle feeding (whether expressed milk or formula), make sure there are plenty of bottles ready for warming so that baby can get his or her feed as quickly as possible.
Try not to speak to baby while feeding at night-time
While you naturally want every moment with baby to be special, it is important that baby learns that night-time feeds are only for feeds and nappy changes so try not to speak with baby while feeding.
Split the feeding routine with your partner
If you are bottle feeding, it is great if your partner is able to share the feeds with you. No matter how well your baby settles down after feeds the disruption to your sleep might leave you feeling permanently tired. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
12 Weeks to 24 Weeks
Routine is everything
Baby is learning fast and will soon get into a routine. The trick here is to make sure baby gets into a routine that suits you best. When you have worked out the best times for baby to have naps make sure you are able to settle baby down.
Moving from Moses Basket to Cot
The move from Moses Basket to a Cot may unsettle baby for a few nights. It is amazing just how much baby will start to move around in their cot during their sleep. Make sure you have soft bumpers fitted to the cot sides to prevent baby waking if they bump into the cot railings.
Try bedtime lullabies to settle baby off to sleep
Now baby is starting to take notice of everything around him or her it can be fun to start singing lullabies at bed time. Remember that baby will be building routines all the time, so may not sleep if you try and skip lullaby time one evening.
Don’t let baby nap late in the day
It may be tempting to let baby sleep when she or he decides to, but try not to let them nap too late into the day. The extra time sleeping during the day time will be time that baby doesn’t want to sleep at night.
24 Weeks to 52 Weeks
Let baby have an earlier afternoon nap
As baby gets more active it will probably become necessary to let them have an earlier afternoon nap time so that they can recover from their busy mornings. The earlier nap time means that they have time in the afternoon to get tired before bedtime.
Make sure baby is comfortable
It is extremely important that baby doesn’t use a cot duvet until they turn 12 months old. Before 12 months it is best to use sleep suits and baby sleep bags to keep baby warm at night. After 12 months of age, baby will be able to roll free of a cot duvet if they become too warm in the night. It is also important that you choose a duvet such as the Silentnight anti allergy cot bed duvet which is rated at 4 tog.