Newborn babies sleep a lot. But they wake up a lot too…especially during the first six months. New moms who often describe their nights as sleepless and their days as long may be able to get some much needed rest if they try to implement the following five tips.
1. BE CONSISTENT – Consistency is the number one key to almost every area of development for your little one. In our crazy, busy, non-scheduled world it’s important to know babies thrive on schedules. You may not be used to watching the clock and keeping a dairy of your day, but it would very helpful to start. Note the times your baby wakes up and the times your baby goes to sleep. Newborns sleep about 3 – 4 hours and stay awake about 2 hours. For the first few weeks you’re basically on their schedule. But as your bundle of sleepless joy begins to develop a tummy that holds more than 4 ounces at a time, you will find he will begin to sleep longer.
That’s when you will want to begin to develop a consistent schedule. Perhaps you will begin giving him a bath by 7 p.m. and tucking him in by 8 p.m.. You may want to rock him for a bit while you sing or read to him. Then place him in his bed and kiss him good night and walk out of the room. He may cry a bit at first, but when he discovers a bath means it’s about bedtime, he will start knowing what to expect.
There may be times when life throws you a sleeping-schedule curve ball and you aren’t able to go through the typical bedtime routine. In fact, you may not be able to put him in bed when and where you normally do. But don’t worry. Get right back on it the the next night and he willl readjust with you. Just remember, it’s to your benefit to stay on schedule as much as you possibly can.
So, if you want to get some rest again, be consistent with bedtime routines and it won’t be long before your darling one sleeps when you expect him to.
2. A TIME & A PLACE – Although we alluded to it in the first tip, it’s important to know that babies not only need a consistent routine, but they also need security. They need a time and a place that becomes their bedtime. Teach your baby that he is to fall asleep in the same bed he will wake up in. It’s easy to let them fall asleep on the couch or just any ol’ place. But knowing they have a time and a place will give them an important sense of security.
3. KEEP HIM UP – Once you’ve started to establish a schedule you will need to try to keep your precious baby awake until it’s his bedtime. When he is only a few weeks and even a few months old, he will have several ‘bedtimes’ throughout the day. But when you see him dozing after he just woke up or an hour or so before his scheduled bedtime, you will want to do your best to play with him, make him laugh, play patty-cakes or just make silly sounds…all to try to keep him awake until it’s time to go to sleep.
4. SAFE SLEEP – Experts seem to agree that placing the baby on his back is the best position for safe sleep. Some mothers put their children on their sides, but research indicates there is a slightly higher occurrence of SIDS for babies who sleep on their sides. You will also want to be sure your baby’s crib meets safety standards and that you remove excess cushions and blankets to prevent the baby from suffocating. Remove toys from the crib and be sure the crib is in a safe place and that there is nothing the baby can reach on the outside of the crib that can harm him. Your precious one depends on you to keep him safe.
5. JUST CHILL – Be sure your little one gets lots of attention with playful and educational activities long before it’s bedtime. Even a soothing bath won’t calm him down if he’s too keyed up. All that activity is a wonderful part of his development, but if you don’t start winding down at a decent time, you are going to have a little wide-eyed baby boy and a long night on your hands. Always revert back to the number one tip to help your baby sleep so you can too. Be consistent!
The Lord created us to need sleep. Your bundle of joy may need more than you do, but you certainly need sleep too. So make sure mommy gets her sleep by helping baby get his. It may be a bit demanding and even monotonous, but you’ll be happy you did.
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8
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