Baby Sleep Help

When it comes to baby’s sleep time, often a baby needs tools for transitioning from daytime activity to night time rest and relaxation. There are many things you as the parent can do to make the transition as smooth and as stress free as possible. Here are 5 baby Sleep help tips

1. Nurse your baby before bedtime, regardless of whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed her. This is especially beneficial to do after you have given her a nice warm bath.

2.  Sit in a rocking chair and rock with your baby as you sing softly or talk gently to her in a calm manner. If you do not have a rocking chair then sit with her in a chair and nestle her close to you. You can also walk with your infant in your arms and rock her to and fro as you walk about the room.

3.  Take your baby and place her in the “neck nestle position”. In other words, take your infant’s s head and nestle it carefully against the front of your neck so that your chin rests against the top of your little one’s head. Once in this position then rock her gently to sleep. If this does not make her sleepy then keeping her in the same position, lie down on a couch or bed and allow her to drape over your chest until sleep overtakes her. Once you know she is asleep you can then put her to bed. (Please note that this is also an excellent way for the father to get a baby to sleep. A male voice with its deeper intonations can often be as soothing to a baby as a female’s lulling voice at bedtime).

4. Some babies take longer to wear down from their daily activities than do others. One way to help her to come down from a busy and fun filled day is to place her in a baby sling that you then attach to yourself and then walk around the house for anywhere from 15 minutes to a half hour before bedtime. Once she falls asleep you can then remove her from the sling and put her to bed.

5. The rhythmic motion of a wind-up swing can lull some babies to sleep. On the other hand, some babies become more revved up in relation to the movement of the swing. You might want to try using the swing at naptime before putting it to use for your baby’s bedtime.

“Empathic baby sleep teaching” is a newer term that you may or may not be familiar with if you have children. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings and needs of another person and to put yourself in their shoes to the best of your ability Empathic sleep teaching is using empathy to teach your baby about sleep and sleep patterns. This method strives to do what is best for the welfare of the child while not causing them any undue stress in the process.

By using empathy to understand a baby’s sleep habits, the parents can put themselves in the place of the infant in order to figure out what the root of the crying is. What this serves to do is to make it possible for the parents to alter their response to the baby’s cries and to respond in an empathic manner to the problem in order to find a positive solution.

Empathic teaching is similar in some ways to attachment parenting when it comes to bedtime however it is also different. The number one priority used in empathic sleep teaching is the infant’s long-term and permanent need to fall asleep and stay asleep on her own, without requiring the assistance of her mother. This type of sleep teaching espouses the belief that a baby’s state of needing to be parented in order to go to sleep is only temporary and short term.

This sleep teaching method of empathy is put into play once an infant reaches four months and beyond. The sooner the method of sleep teaching can be started, the easier it will be for both the baby and the parent in the future. This method is proactive in terms of teaching an infant to be self sufficient and to get to sleep unassisted.

It is important to keep in mind that babies cry at bedtime for different reasons. You need to investigate the problem right away as it will not simply go away on its own. Babies cry because they are physically uncomfortable (too warm, too cold, a wet diaper, uncomfortable clothing, a sickness such as an earache or a stomach ache, etc.). Babies also cry because of an inconsistent or non-existent bedtime routine or because they are over tired.  Babies can also cry due to separation anxiety. Learn to put yourself in your baby’s shoes and to show the empathy that your infant needs to grow and learn!

The baby whisperer’s sleep method makes use of the concept of E.A.S.Y. for getting your baby to rest and to support a good night’s sleep. E.A.S.Y. stands for “Eat, Activity, Sleep and You”.

Your baby should eat when she wakes up and she should be as active as possible throughout the day. This includes enjoying play time and all that that entails. The amount of time your baby will spend playing is contingent upon her age and personality. Once she is sufficiently tired, it is time for her to take a nap. Your baby’s naptime affords you the opportunity to do something fro yourself or to get a few things done around the house. Employing the E.A.S.Y. sleep method on a consistent basis develops repetition and your baby will know exactly what to expect, as will the rest of the household.

When you are putting your baby to bed, if she starts to cry, pat her on the back or massage her back to reassure her and whisper “shh-shh-shh” gently in her ear to calm her down. This sends the message to her that you are there for her but she must learn to fall asleep on her own.

For babies who are six months or older, you need to put them to bed and put them down for their naps at the same time and in the same manner each and every day. This goes a long way in helping the baby to learn how to go to sleep without your assistance.

If your baby cries or fusses after you have left the room then come back in and pick her up. Pat and rock her gently until she is calmer and then place her back in her crib. On some nights you may have to repeat this procedure over and over again but in time she will come to learn and falling asleep solo will become easier and easier.

The Baby Whisperer Method should only be used on an infant who is healthy and well-fed. Never use it on a baby who is sick or who is upset for other reasons, such as physical discomfort.

The occasional sleepless night because of a nighttime feeding or a wet diaper is a reality when you have a newborn, but there are ways to help encourage your baby to develop healthy baby sleep habits. Read on for some suggestions.

Daytime activity is essential
Babies respond well to lots of different types of stimulation. They are learning after all and everything they encounter is new and exciting to them. During the day keep your baby as active as possible and this will pave the way for a better sleep at night. Talk to your baby, laugh with her, sing, dance, cuddle and play. Surround her with light, music and the regular everyday noises heard throughout your home. When the weather is good take her for a walk around the neighborhood and expose her to other types of stimuli.

Naptimes are necessary but don’t overindulge
Your baby needs her rest in the daytime but excessively long naps can lead to her having a difficult time falling asleep (and staying asleep) at night, in the same way that adults often experience.

Drowsy but still awake
It is good to put your baby to bed when she is a little drowsy but not completely asleep. This will help the association between bed and falling asleep to develop for her. Always place her on her back in the crib and make sure the crib is free of anything that could cause her harm in the night.

Settle down time
Babies need time to settle down before falling off to sleep. It is not uncommon for a baby to be a little fussy when she is first placed in her bassinet or crib. Do not be alarmed. Check to see if there is a physical reason for her discomfort, such as a wet diaper or something that is irritating her skin. If there is not then give her time to get comfortable and calm down. If her fussing turns to crying and she is not settling down, then talk to her calmly as you massage her back. Often the reassurance that comes from having her mother close will be enough to help her relax.

Use a pacifier
Babies need the sucking reflex and for some babies a pacifier can be a calming and soothing way to fall asleep. Studies have shown that giving your baby a pacifier to fall asleep can actually help decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome from occurring (Source: Mayo Clinic). The only disadvantage to this is if the pacifier falls out of the baby’s mouth in the night she is not going to be able to find it on her own and that will bring on a barrage of tears

When it comes to both bedtime and naptime for your baby, it is important that you observe the principles of consistency and predictability. This is one of the ways that babies learn.

Consistent Naptime

Babies who have nap routines in the daytime that are consistent are much more likely to sleep for longer periods at a time during the night. To get your baby into a predictable naptime routine, you choose the best times for naps, according to when you both need some rest.  Very young babies need two naps a day. You might find that naptime is required around 10am and 3pm for example.

To get your baby into a nap schedule, for a period of a week to two weeks lie down on the bed with your baby at the times you have designated for naps. Encourage quiet and relaxation. This gives you both the time to rest and it is also a bonding experience between mother and child.

Consistent Bedtime

If you get your baby into a consistent bedtime routine this will be something he comes to get used to over time and it will guarantee that he will likely go to sleep easier and sleep better throughout the night. Incorporate bedtime with familiar and pleasant rituals that set the stage for your baby to sleep well. For example, a warm bath before bedtime is a way to soothe a baby. If your baby has had a bath earlier in the day then simply wiping his face and hands with a warm washcloth can calm him.

Other activities that are equally advisable include quiet activities such as rocking your baby, singing lullabies to him, talking to him gently, cradling him and nursing him. What you are trying to do is to create a pleasant environment in which a baby learns that these activities then automatically lead to sleep time.

Keep in mind that a baby’s brain is constantly tapping into new things and is always learning. The power of association is strong in babies. If you can teach your baby that certain activities precede sleep, even the simple act of changing your baby into a sleeper, then you are well on your way to encouraging good sleep habits that should carry a baby through into his toddler years.