Getting
Your Baby On A Sleeping Routine
By Sarah
Veda
It’s not unusual for newborns to have unusual
sleeping habits, particularly for them to want to sleep during the
day, and stay awake at night. Remember, in the womb its dark all the
time, so night and day mean nothing to them. If your baby’s
sleeping habits need some adjustment, here are some ways to get him
on track.
- Don’t
keep quiet during the day when he’s sleeping – When he
sleeps during the day (and all babies will) leave the door to
his room open, and go about your normal daily routine. Keep the
television or stereo on. This will accomplish two things. First,
he will learn to sleep even through noise, which is important,
since this child will be taking naps in your home for four or
five years. Secondly, he will get the idea that the daytime is
not the right time for long periods of sleep.
- If
he sleeps more than three hours at a stretch, wake him. Babies
should nap during the day, of course, but more than three hours
is not a nap. To wake him, try holding him upright and tickling
his feet. If that doesn’t work, take off his shirt. The chill
will wake him. Don’t leave him uncovered for long, though.
Once he is awake, sing or talk to him to keep him that way for a
while. This is a great time to put him on a mat for some tummy
time if it’s not feeding time.
- Now,
of course the second half of this problem is the staying awake
at night. This is going to take some time, and babies usually
make some significant adjustments within about three weeks,
though you will be getting up for feedings at least once at
night for a bit longer. Some things you can do to make him more
likely to sleep longer and better during the night are:
- Put
him in bassinet or cradle for the first few weeks. A crib can
seem huge to a newborn, so you might find that he sleeps much
better in the coziness of a smaller space.
- Give
him some soothing sounds. Not only will this act as a sort of
“white noise” to block out other sounds, it will also be
soothing to him. Soft, classical music works well, but so can
the constant hum of a fan.
- Keep
the room at a comfortable temperature. If he’s too cold or too
warm, just like the rest of us, he won’t sleep as well.
- Establishing
a routine. Your child will sleep better if he has an established
sleeping routine for day and night. Put him down for naps at the
same time each day, and put him down for bed at the same time
each night. Create some bedtime habits that will signal to the
baby that bedtime is near. A bath or a story can be a nice way
to wind down and get ready for restful sleep.
Sleeping habits are a challenge for most new mothers,
primarily because you’re so tired yourself. One word of advice –
don’t try to make baby sleep at night by not allowing him to nap
during the day. It will backfire. Babies need lots of sleep, and
naps are a critical part of this. Just don’t let him sleep for too
long at a stretch during the day. Give it some time, and take some
naps yourself, and before you know it, everyone will be sleeping
soundly through the night.
About
the Author: Sarah is a 41 year old wife and mother of two boys and one girl. She
spent many years as a manager in the corporate world, and gave it up
to be a stay at home mom. Go to http://www.infantresources.com
now and get her incredible baby mini-course – absolutely
free.
Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/
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