A baby is nothing but a bundle of joy, however parenting can be much tougher thank. Sleep is understandably one of the biggest worries for new parents. Establishing a bedtime routine that will benefit baby, mother and father is a nerve-wracking challenge for new parents. However with today’s handy tips, you can feel reassured and re-inspired when it comes to tackling bed-time with your baby.
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Tip#1: A soothing environment for sleep
Everyone is particular about where they sleep and your baby is no exception! A multi-functional such as the Snuzpod Cot offers versatility; the 3-in-1 design can be used as a bedside cot, stand alone cot or Moses basket. Lighting plays an equally important part of any evening routine. Use blackout curtains during the summer months to reduce natural light. Soft glow night lights provide a relaxing effect. Swapping irritating fabrics for extra soft cotton blend baby gro’s will provide comfort for a relaxing night of sleep. Other popular relaxation techniques include talking in a calm, slow voice or singing lullabies which both are said to encourage sleep.
Tip #2: “Dream Feeding”
Babies that have trouble sleeping the whole night through may benefit from being awoken for a late night feed (between 10pm-midnight).
Waking baby during twilight hours could help him or her settle for longer stretches of sleep to mirror your patterns of rest. It’s best to keep the lights dim as you gently wake baby up before settling down to nurse. Babies that are still a little sleepy may need gentle encouragement to feed. If this happens gentle nudge the lips against the nipple or bottle to help him or her latch on. After the feed, avoid burping as this contact may falsely communicate “time to wake up” instead of “time for sleep”.
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Tip #3: Stick to the plan (and don’t stress!)
It takes, on average, 28 days to form a new habit. Interruptions, disasters and conflicting parental schedules will have to come second to your routine. This is the easiest way to instil continuity and leave you with time for a well-earned rest yourself. It’s also crucial to keep daytime routines equally disciplined and predictable.
Sleep regressions are common for babies aged four months and nine months. So if the dates match up to a particular sleep issue then you will have to ride out these brief periods of restlessness.
In conclusion, parents should remember that hiccups are all part of the learning process. In the long run both baby and parents will become more harmonious and happy. There is no “perfect” bedtime routine so don’t be too hard on yourself. After all, the more stressed you are – the less you will enjoy this magical phase of parenting! If you’re still struggling, read My Top Tips on Coping as a Single Mum for some extra guidance.
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