Here are a plethora of succulent pointers around the theme of Baby Sleep Specialists.
Make sure that your child’s bedroom is warm, comfortable and soothing. A room temperature of 16-20°C is recommended, which often feels cooler than most people would expect. During the summer months, if your baby’s room gets too hot, close the curtains and open a window to allow a breeze to flow through the room and ensure that the cot is not in direct sunlight. Babies sleep is more or less evenly distributed between day and night, and occurs in 2-3 hour bouts. It often takes several months for a day /night pattern of wake and sleep to become established. If you have twins, you may like to sleep your twins in their own Moses baskets or cots from birth, or you may decide to co-bed them in the early weeks and months. Co-bedding means siblings share the same sleep surface during any sleep period, for example by being in the same cot together. When babies get to 6 months, as you lay them down in their cot, put down a soft toy they like next to them, or a blanket or muslin that smells of you (and them). This really helps some babies to settle. Look out for signs that your baby is sleepy: yawning, stretching or rubbing their eyes and ears. Losing interest in toys or people is another clue that someone needs a nap. If your baby seems unusually sleepy they might be unwell. Always trust your instincts and get medical advice if you’re worried.
The average three-month-old’s bedtime is around 9:30 P.M. Yet, as infants get older their bedtime gets earlier, dropping to 8:30 P.M. and earlier. Researchers in Pittsburgh found that infants who went to bed before 9 P.M. slept significantly longer overall (13 hours) than infants who went down after 9 P.M. (11.8 hours). But if you push for a bedtime that’s too early, your little buddy may not be tired. Some babies sleep better with the washing machine or the vacuum cleaner running, so feel free to go about your regular routine during naptime or after bedtime. The regular noise is soothing and will help your baby sleep. Newborn humans are designed to sleep and wake in short stints, feeding extremely frequently and keeping in skin to skin contact in order to stimulate and establish milk supply. During the warm summer months, it’s important that you’re little one is well hydrated to help them sleep better and fall asleep faster, so make sure your baby has a good drink before bed to replenish all the fluids lost in the heat of the day. For
Sleep Training guidance it may be useful to enlist the services of a sleep consultant.
Developing A Rhythm
This is a great time to create a few bedtime habits. It signals to your baby that bedtime is coming, and it’s nearly sleep time. Sleep experts say it should last about half an hour – no more than 45 minutes – and take place calmly in the bedroom and bathroom. Don’t go into the playroom or living areas in case your baby thinks it’s time to play. What you do is up to you but it could include: warm bath, nappy change and pjs on, milk and story. Babies sleeping in the parents’ bed has also been linked to a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome in some cases. If you do choose to have your baby sleep in bed with you, make sure you position your baby with care. You don't want them covered by bedclothes or too hot. Also think about where you and your partner sleep so that you don't roll onto your baby by accident. Your 2 month-old can be expected to sleep 8-10 hours at night. This doesn’t mean he can sleep 8-10 hours straight! Remember he still needs to eat at night. What this means is his “nighttime”- or the time he spends in bed at night- can be expected to be between 8-10 hours. Where should your baby sleep? Baby should wear what you have to bed on to be comfortable, plus one layer. If baby feels cold then they should have more clothes on. If they’re sweating, they may be over-bundled. Having a baby is a steep learning curve and aspects such as
Sleep Consultant Training Course come along and shake things up just when you're not expecting them.
Newborn babies will sleep on and off throughout the day and night. It can be helpful to have a pattern, but you can always change the routine to suit your needs. For example, you could try waking your baby for a feed just before you go to bed in the hope you’ll get a long sleep before they wake up again. Lots of people will be very quick to voice their opinions but it is important to remember that you know what is best for your baby. You understand their needs so try not to worry too much about what other people are saying about their sleeping patterns and concentrate on what you think is best. Seek advice from your midwife and/or health visitor if you think you can benefit from some professional support. You can help your baby along by gently teaching them the difference between night and day. To do this - make things a little louder and lighter during the day. Make activities a little more stimulating such as surrounding them with nice bright shapes or blankets to look at and getting out and about for nice walks in the fresh air. In the evenings make everything a little darker, calmer and more gentle. Kids usually don’t just outgrow their sleep struggles. These troubles typically persist until you do something to bring them under control. So if you’ve been waiting patiently and your child’s sleep still isn’t shaping up then it’s time to make a new plan. Baby is pretty sensitive to their environment, so adjust your thermostat to a sleep-friendly temp—for baby, that’s 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.Also, beware of overheating them with a ton of layers. Baby doesn’t need more than pajamas and a swaddle or sleep sack. If you're looking for a compassionate, effective and evidence-based approach to sleep or just advice on one thing like
Sleep Regression then a baby sleep specialist will be able to help you.
Settle Your Baby Back To Sleep
A lot of evidence shows that lying your baby on their back to sleep significantly reduces their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This is because the chance of SIDS is particularly high in babies who are only sometimes placed on their front or side. To ensure your baby’s head is always kept uncovered by clothing or bedding, use a lightweight well-fittng sleeping bag rather than loose fittng sheets or blankets. If your baby cries because she's hungry or wet, that's understandable, but waking up in the middle of the night because she can't find her pacifier is frustrating for all. You can teach her to find it on her own. It may sound like an old chestnut, but proper sleep hygiene really does make a difference for maximizing your rest after baby’s arrival. Establishing a wind-down routine and getting to bed at the same time each night prepares the mind and body for sleep — which is especially helpful if you can get to bed just after baby does. When it is time for bed, many parents want to rock or breastfeed a baby to help him or her fall asleep. Creating a bedtime routine is a good idea. But don't let your baby fall asleep in your arms. This may become a pattern. And your baby may begin to expect to be in your arms in order to fall asleep. When your baby briefly wakes up during a sleep cycle, they may not be able to go back to sleep on their own. A sleep consultant will take a holistic approach to create a sleeping system that you can manage and one which takes into account
Ferber Method as well as the needs of the baby and considerations of each family member.
If your baby isn’t sleeping well, it’s tempting to delay bedtime until later to try to maximise the chances of a good night. But babies who get over-tired and over-stimulated by being around adults in the evening find it harder not easier to get to sleep. Try gradually bringing forward bedtime by a few minutes each day until it’s somewhere between 7pm and 8.30pm, depending on your family circumstances. If family and friends can offer help make the most of it. Loved ones like to feel useful. If you have help don’t struggle on your own – this is good for you and for your baby. Despite being sold by many well-known brands, items such as cushioned sleeping pods, nests, baby hammocks and anything that wedges or straps a baby in place can pose a risk to babies less than 12 months of age. Families should be encouraged not to use sleep aids and if they do make this choice, to check whether items comply with British Standards and follow safer sleep advice. As your baby grows, they may find it more difficult to settle as they learn to crawl, and develop an awareness of people and things that exist out of their sight. This is why they might begin crying out for you more often, or develop separation anxiety. This is all quite natural, as your baby is beginning to understand the world around them more. Just like adults, all babies sleep differently – some will sleep more, some will sleep less. New parents often feel under pressure to have a baby that sleeps through the night. Sleep consultants support hundreds of families every year, assisting with things such as
How To Become A Sleep Consultant using gentle, tailored methods.
Bedtime Routine
Designate the nursery as a room for sleep, not play. Keep the area around the crib free of toys and other fun knick knacks Maintain a gentle waking up routine for baby. Don’t try to rush your kid through the morning. Keep the wee hours of the morning passive and uneventful. Teaching your baby healthy sleep habits is one of the biggest challenges you'll face as a new parent - especially because you're most likely exhausted yourself! It can be tempting to let your baby nod off anytime, anywhere, any way. Even if the only place she'll sleep is snug in your arms. If your baby is waking and crying after being put down, is experiencing poor weight gain, is spitting up or arching, making clicking sounds when drinking, pulling off the breast or bottle and crying, it might be time to ask your doctor if there could be anything wrong. Two common reasons are due to reflux and/or trouble transferring breast or formula milk due to a tongue or lip tie. If you’re feeling worried, the good news is that these two problems are easily remedied by experienced professionals. As babies grow, they do start to put two chunks of 2-3 hours’ sleep together, potentially giving you as much as six hours of undisturbed sleep! Babies can starts showing signs of sleeping through from 6 months onwards but sleep issues can occur in toddlers and older children too. Whether its something specific like
4 Month Sleep Regression or really anything baby sleep related, a baby sleep consultant can guide you to find a sleep solution as individual as your baby is.
Before trying any sleep-inducing program, you be the judge. Run these schemes through your inner sensitivity before trying them on your baby, especially if they involve leaving your baby alone to cry. During the summertime, you’re likely to be out and about most of the time. While you’re exploring and enjoying the warm weather, it’s important that you try to maintain a regular nap schedule for your mini-me. If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need more advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor. You can get further insights relating to Baby Sleep Specialists at this
NHS entry.
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