A Collection of Baby Sleep Tips from The Gentle Sleep Specialist.
We have scrolled our feed to bring you a great selection of tips that have we have shared on Facebook. In this article (click to jump to):
- Daycare and Sleep for Babies
- Baby swaddles + transitioning from swaddling your little one.
- My Tops Tips to help with settling baby in cot during the day.
- Before + After with a Baby Sleep Consultant - A case study
Daycare + Sleep for Babies.
Keeping sleep on track when your little is in daycare. It's no secret sleep can be hit and miss when your child is at daycare. Some little ones may have learnt a different set of rules in daycare, they may even settle easier and sleep longer when in the care of others. Here are some ways you can combat daycare woes. Preparation is key. If things are rushed at home have a few meals prepared. This saves you time and means you can spend the time before bed together rather than stuck in the kitchen, and a reasonable bedtime is still possible. Provide input to staff as to what time your child is due for a nap. Overtired babies have a much harder time settling off to sleep. Communication means chances over tiredness can be avoided.
Baby swaddles + transitioning from swaddling your little one.
For many little ones their Moro reflex (startle reflex) has matured significantly by 3-4 months. This is a great time to look at un-swaddling. Here are some points to keep in mind when transitioning baby from a swaddle. /a> I usually recommend taking one arm out for around 4 days and then the second arm out after that. Swaddling can become a problematic sleep association if left for too long. The latest I would swaddle is 4.5 months. Long term swaddling with arms in is dangerous and unsustainable. Your little one should have the freedom to move around the cot and roll as required. Keeping their arms restricted long term isn't good for their development and safety.
Get in touch for a Baby Sleep Consultation
My Tops Tips to help with settling baby in cot during the day.
EXPOSURE - Not enough exposure or opportunity from a young age – I encourage parents to give their little ones plenty of opportunity to sleep in their sleep space from a young age. Cuddles & having them sleep on you is adorable in the early days, it can get harder for them to sleep as easily as they get older. If they then aren’t used to sleeping in their cot making that change later can get tricky. So give them plenty of opportunity from the very beginning.
Case Study - Before + After with a Baby Sleep Consult
Prior to four days ago Chloe woke up crying MULTIPLE times each night to be re settled with the dummy or by other means such as rocking. Short naps were the norm and things were only getting worse. 5 days ago Chloe didn't feed well and Mum had stopped car trips dreading the constant screaming that occurred. Her inability to feed and sleep well meant that when she was unsettled there was a general feeling of uncertainty as to what she needed at that time. She was caught in a seriously problematic snack feed and snack sleep cycle that lead meant to a very unsettled baby and worn out Mumma. The entire family was impacted by sleep deprivation.
- Keeping awake times short
- Running a solid feed, play and sleep.
- Focusing on keeping Chloe awake on feeds.
- Creating a strong and effective bedtime routine.