Babies definitely do NOt come with instructions and sometimes it is unbelievable how one little person can disrupt an entire household. Specifically, any parent of a baby that “doesn’t sleep well” knows this to be the case. Often times, it is not that the baby is sick, difficult or “high maintenance” as my girlfriends like to say, but it’s that we as parents miss the simplest steps in creating a soothing and peaceful sleep environment.
In her article, Sleep Mistakes New Moms Make, author Ceci Davis outlines 5 common errors that new parents make in getting their little one to sleep. The 5 steps are outlined here and hopefully will help both parent and child get a good nights rest.
Baby not sleeping well at night? Which of these 5 blunders are you making?
(1) Making the room nice and dark and quiet when your baby naps during the day.
You may suppose this is a good strategy in hopes that the tot will sleep longer so you can get some rest. BUT, it really isn’t helpful in the long run – i.e. Bedtime. When your newborn takes naps during the day have plenty of daylight in the house. Let normal household and street noises exist. The less time the child sleeps during the day could mean better sleep at night.
(2) Letting your child just lie around in the crib or child carrier.
It is tempting to just let the baby lie around so you can do other things. However, once again this is not in your best interest. the child needs to be lively when awake. This could induce sleep at night. Don’t you sleep better at night when you have been out all day running around?
Find ways to introduce physical activity for the baby. Play games, take the tot out for a fun outing to see new places and things. My little niece loves to people watch.
(3) Picking up your kid as soon as the crying starts at night.
Believe it or not, the kid might not even be really awake! I know I did this all the time with my kid. I did not know any better. I learned that if you rub the abdomen, the infant just might stop crying and go back to sleep.
(4) Play games that excite the child.
When all the family is home in the evening they want to play with the kid. That is okay as long as the activities are RELAXING for the tot! Tell Dad not to play airplane or catch the baby in the air before bedtime. If you have other kids, let them know not to excite the tot.
The best thing would be to hold your kid and read. Clear out the crib i.e. get the toys out. Give the kid a favorite toy to settle down with.
(5) Have no pattern for bedtime.
So, one night you do everything in your room after the bath. The next night in the living room and the next night in the baby’s room or even the kitchen! This is not a good idea. Your tot needs to recognize when it is time for bed, end of the day – finito!
So do your best to begin the routine at the same time everyday and in the same room. Have a specific nighttime song i.e. lullaby or music. Have a bedtime book to read.
And I’d like to encourage you to use these tips.
And now I would like to offer you free access to a 5 week baby sleep tips pamphlet at http://www.freebabysleeptips.com
Disclaimer: The information presented is informational only. Please consult with baby’s doctor before using any technique in this document. The entire contents of this publication are based on research. It is for educational purposes only. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from research and experience of the author. No guarantees are given in any form by the author.
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