Baby Sleeping Tips and Advice for You and Your Baby

Most babies do not come home from the hospital and sleep through the night. I know that you have met moms that have been blessed with such a baby but it rarely happens.

It takes time and maturity for your little one to have normal awake and sleep patterns.

Here are some great tips on how to help your baby develop sleeping habits that both of you can live with.

• Sleep when your baby sleeps.
• Let your baby sleep. Do not wake him to feed him if there is no medical reasons to do so(i.e. failure to thrive).
• Transition baby from cradle to crib around 6 weeks.
• Make sure you space out your baby's evening feedings so that there is at least 3 hours from his last bottle to his bedtime bottle. This has to last him all night so you want him to finish it.
• Establish a bed time routine: Bath time, Bedtime Bottle, Cuddle/Rocking, Song or Story.
• Place your baby into bed on his back before he is completely asleep. This teaches your baby how to put himself to sleep.
• Keep lighting to a minimum. A low wattage nightlight is all you need.
• During night time feedings do not remove your baby from his bedroom. Keep stimulation (i.e. noise,lights)to a minimum. Feed him,change him then put him back to bed. Teach him that 2:00 a.m.is not play time.
• Baby Monitors will help you sleep better. I used the sound monitors but they have video monitors now that are fabulous.
• Keep a fan running in your baby's room. The sound will help your baby fall asleep(no direct air blowing on baby).

• For the first 4-5 months some babies sleep better when swaddled. I could never get the hang of how to wrap my son he always wiggled free. They have swaddling wraps that work great.
• Keep normal house routines when your baby is sleeping. This will help him learn to sleep through activity without waking.
• Avoid using bulky covers, quilts or pillows in your baby's bed.(Safety Hazard)
• Don't over dress your baby. The rule is generally if your comfortable your baby is to.
• Remove stuffed animals before putting your baby to bed.
• The general rule is that when a baby reaches about 12 pounds they will start to sleep through the night.(I don't think my son read this rule).
• Regular napping schedules help babies sleep better at night. Over tired babies have a difficult time settling down.
• Babies usually require at least two naps per day until around the age of one. Then they move toward one longer midday nap.
• Do not allow your baby to nap after 5:00 p.m.
• Routines and schedules are vital to your sanity. Have set routines and schedules and stick to them as close as possible. This gives your baby security and you a sense of control.

Baby Sleeping Tips

Baby and Toddler Sleep Advice

Baby Care Basics

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