How To Get Your Baby On a Sleep Schedule
Motherhood and sleep deprivation go hand in hand. Newborns, even infants, can neither sleep throughout the night, nor do you. Fortunately, after a couple of months of a super hectic sleep routine, your baby can naturally develop good sleep patterns and can snooze the whole night. However, this is when you need to focus on helping your child be consistent in establishing their sleep cycle. There are numerous ways to help your baby get on a sleep schedule and maintain it.
1. Focus on Mornings
A good routine starts with a good morning. It doesn’t mean to keep your baby awake unnecessarily just so they can sleep longer at night. Instead, you must promote shorter naps during the daytime to allow your baby to enjoy the rest they need throughout the day. A good morning routine also incorporates play time, tummy time, feedings, burping and bath times. A nice warm bath following a high-quality baby lotion to lock in the moisture is perfect to start the day. After this relaxing ritual, your baby can go for an afternoon nap. Choose nap times wisely to keep your baby relaxed and less fussy because a fussy baby is not a good night sleeper.
2. Look for Signs of Tiredness
Infants usually stay awake for 2 to 3 hours which is plenty to make them tired. All babies show some specific signs of tiredness that must not be ignored. Giving your baby a proper amount of rest throughout the day is of utmost importance. If your baby is yawning, rubbing their eyes, getting fussier, and looking around, you must understand that your baby is sleepy. Ensure your baby doesn’t get overtired as it may cause trouble falling asleep and hinder restful sleep.
3. Don’t Start Too Soon
As a new parent, you may want to get your baby on a sleep schedule as soon as possible but babies under the age of 2 months are not capable of sleeping throughout the night. Therefore, it is better to follow their cues of hunger and sleep and let them get habitual to this world since they are new to it. All babies need to feed after every hour or two as their tummies are very small, so they wake up accordingly. It is better to wait until they are ready.
4. Opt for a Pre-Sleep Ritual
Pre-sleep rituals work like magic for infants. It can help babies calm down with a nice massage using baby oils, dim lights, a warm bath, lots of cuddles and a lullaby. Do not forget to check if your baby is uncomfortable due to any sort of pain or diaper rash. Opt for a good rashes cream to keep your baby’s bottom soft and free from rashes to promote a good night’s sleep.
5. Promote Day-Night Difference
Two weeks old babies can differentiate between day and night. You can help your baby understand the day-night difference by letting the daylight in, allowing some noise during naps, playing, and letting them stay awake after feeds during the day. Similarly, you can promote nighttime by keeping the lights dim, blocking the noise that you easily can, reading a bedtime story and rocking them to sleep.
During the first year of birth, your baby may encounter several phases of sleep regression that can go away in a few weeks, but staying consistent with a daily routine can help alleviate some hardships that come along. Mothercare baby products can promote calmness and comfort for your little one, while you can focus on maintaining a sleep routine.
