Sweet dreams for you and your baby

Many moms and dads worry about their baby’s sleeping habits. How much sleep is necessary? Is too much sleep unhealthy? How can I help my baby, and myself, sleep better?

Getting baby to sleep is often a parents’ biggest challenge Your baby’s sleep patterns can shape your experience of parenthood.

How much and how often your newborn, infant or toddler sleeps affects the whole family, and can disrupt your new life together.

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for you too. Sleep deprivation is a very destructive psychological process and can place strain on your relationship with your partner, your children and the world in general.

Sleep essential

• Your baby, like adults, goes through different phases of sleep-from drowsiness, through light sleep and dream sleep into a deep sleep, then back again. This cycle is normally repeated about 5 times a night.
• Your baby’s sleep wake cycle relates to her daily rhythm of feeding, body temperature and hormone levels.
• Your baby’s unique individual pattern of sleep and waking should follow a natural and consistent daily rhythm.
• Your baby will normally wake up for brief periods during the night, but wont necessarily alert you.
• Your baby’s health, development and daytime behavior will all be affected by his/her sleep patterns.
• Your baby’s sleep habits are affected by the bedtime routines that you establish.
• Your baby’s sleep habits can be influenced by various factors, including illness, stress and temporary changes in routine.
• Your baby’s sleep patterns will evolve and change as she develops.
• Remember that parents and other family members also need sleep! Try to harmonize your sleep routines with your baby’s routine. Sleep when your baby sleeps. This will help you both stay rested and relaxed.

How to help your baby sleep well

• Make sleep, especially yours, a family priority
• Be realistic about your baby’s sleep patterns
• Learn your baby’s ‘sleepy’ signals
• Create soothing surroundings for sleep
• Actively encourage night-time sleep
• Establish a regular, consistent bedtime routine that both you and your baby enjoy.

Finding a bedtime routine that works 
Infants
As your baby’s sleep patterns are becoming more organised, begin creating, a bedtime routine that meets your family’s and your baby’s needs. Keep your routine consistent, even with your babysitters, caregivers or when away from home. It’s also useful for you and your partner to take turns to put baby to bed. Continue this initial routine, but adapt it to your baby’s developmental changes.

Start to develop a regular sleep schedule.
Naptimes should be based more on your baby’s tiredness levels and less on rigid time schedules. Cutting down on daytime naps won’t help improve sleep at night. Try to avoid naps too close to bedtime.

Create a familiar, calming sequence night after night
By 3 months, this sequence should clearly communicate to your baby that it’s time to settle down and go to sleep.

Avoid bedtime feeding
They rarely help your baby sleep better. Avoid the association between eating and sleeping. At 3 months babies should feed less at night, gradually dropping some feeds. Babies should start sleeping through the night from about 6 months.

Toddlers
Regular sleep by night, fewer naps by day
Although most toddlers should sleep through at night, sleep patterns continue to evolve and stressful events or changes in routine can cause setbacks. She will wake briefly at night, but if she’s learned to fall asleep on her own she will be able to return to sleep without your help. Bedtime fears and nightmares will need your reassurance.
Maintain a regular sleep schedule.Continue the bed time routine you started in infancy. Ensure your toddler gets enough sleep. Limiting daytime naps can lead to over tiredness and more sleep problems.

Create a regular soothing environment
TV is not soothing. Rather calm and wind your baby down with a gentle massage and story. try to ensure the bedroom remains the same throughout the night, e.g. if you turn on a night-light, leave it on all night.

Knowing what is coming next, will help CALM and RELAX your baby, making sleep easier and deeper.

END: PG 36 /12