This will help kick start that circadian rhythm and aid in syncing up you & your baby’s sleep/wake cycles. Believe it or not – this will help set a nice rhythm to your day and help in regulating their night sleep.
• Lots of skin to skin and holding during the day…
Helps your baby remain calmer and cry less in these early months. Studies show that the more holding you do in the early months – the calmer your baby will be and can result in less overall crying during the newborn months.
• Recreating the womb experience…
Can be very helpful in keeping your baby settled and calm and may assist in extending short sleep episodes. Try swaddling to help your baby feel snug and secure. Add some white noise during sleep times and keep the room dark when sleeping at night. Keep Stimulation to a minimum and make sure to only… Read more »
• Make a plan to get the rest you need…
Lay down when baby is sleeping. Nap during the day when your baby naps. Share night time duties so that you each can get a block of uninterrupted sleep. Try to aim for at least 5-6 hours of sleep within a 24 hour period. Taking that block in one consolidated stretch is ideal but may… Read more »
• You can begin to “Practice” putting your baby down Drowsy and Awake at sleep times…
When your baby is ready, this will be the cornerstone of helping her learn to independently fall asleep. Don’t worry if at this age she may need more help. Some babies may not fully develop the skill of self -soothing independently to sleep until she is at least 4-6 months of age. If you want, you can… Read more »
• A Dream Feed may be helpful at this stage…
This has also been referred to as a focal or rollover feeding. Wake your baby between 10:00 pm – 12:00 am for a feed before you and your spouse go to bed. Pick them up & nurse or bottle feed – then put them right back down to sleep. This will help control a feeding… Read more »
• Keep lights, stimulation & interaction to a minimum…
When they wake & need to be fed – do so quietly & in a dimly lit environment. It may not be necessary to change and burp at every waking at this stage. Most babies will be fine going most of the night without a diaper change so if not absolutely necessary, forgo the diaper… Read more »
• Make sure to have an optimal sleep environment that is consistent during your baby’s entire night stretch…
Creating a sleep friendly environment can be very helpful in getting your baby to sleep better. In the early months – babies have the ability to shut out outside stimulation and will fall asleep easily in crowded areas & with loud noise around. As they get older, they often lose this ability & many will… Read more »
• Begin to establish regular bedtime routine…
If you have not already begun to do this, now is the perfect time to implement this sleep step. Start to establish a regular and consistent routine for your baby prior to going to bed. This will help set the stage that the day is coming to an end & help prepare your baby for… Read more »