How to Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits in Your Baby
December 10, 2008 by admin
Filed under Baby Sleep Help
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