Babies make up a big part of our lives; we were once one of them, too.
And yet we still see them as pretty challenging creatures to decipher. As first-time parents learn, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to babies, especially with sleep.
Some have a better experience of it than others, with certain babies making it through long sleeping hours with little to no fuss. If consensus tells us anything, that’s hardly the norm.
On top of that, newborns don’t have a well-defined concept of night and day.
But there are things you can do to improve your baby’s sleep habits early on. Following them will allow you to stop worrying about tantrums and restlessness once you put your little one in bed.
Here are six tips to help your baby sleep better.
1) Choose A Good Mattress
Setting up the nursery is one of the most exciting parts of expecting a baby. Yet amid all the fuss over the furniture, baby gear, and design, it’s easy to overlook one of the less-glamorous things: the mattress.
The mattress is more than just a place to sleep when you think about it. A really good one does wonders in improving your baby’s sleep quality. Firmness, cooling ability, and resistance to contamination are essential.
At the same time, you must sort through all your options for pillows, sheets, and other bedding. It’s possible to find quality products that still fit the budget, such as luxury quilts made in Australia. They’re safe and reliable and give your baby the ideal sleeping arrangement.
2) Keep Your Baby Comfortable
Nighttime routines exist for a good reason. They ensure your baby is primed for bedtime.
To check if your baby is comfortable, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your baby well-fed for the night?
- Is your baby dressed well for the temperature?
- Does the room feel fresh instead of stuffy, scalding, or freezing?
- Is the diaper new?
A ‘yes’ to these questions is good. The point is that your baby has to be comfortable enough before you put them down for bed. Otherwise, they’ll keep you up for the rest of the night.
3) Take Note Of The First Signs Of Sleepiness
One of the main contributors to poor sleep quality in babies is keeping them up when they’re already drowsy. You should be on the lookout for signs of sleepiness, as those are cues that it’s time for bed.
Timing is critical; only this way can you tune in to your baby’s natural biological rhythms.
The first signs of sleepiness also indicate that your baby has high melatonin levels, making it easier for them to drift off without a fuss.
To get this right, observe your baby each time before they fall asleep. That way, you’ll notice their specific ways of showing the need for sleep.
4) Invest In Blackout Curtains Or Blinds
If you're sleeping in one room, blackout curtains or blinds are a must.
As their names suggest, they’re curtains that can almost entirely block light. This helps your baby sleep better during spring or summer when daylight hours lengthen. No matter how bright it is outside, you can still maintain a dark, evening-like atmosphere whenever your baby sleeps.
5) Try Swaddling
Babies have a falling reflex within their first five to four months. This makes them react quickly to sudden changes in movement, making it challenging to avoid startling them.
Try swaddling them in soft, breathable clothes to prevent this from happening. This keeps them snug and tight, recalling the sensation of being in the safety of their mother’s womb. It helps suppress the falling reflex, allowing the baby to relax all the way through.
6) Establish A Bedtime Routine
Establishing a bedtime routine is an excellent thing to get your baby started on. Connect this tip with the second one above: do what you can to keep your baby comfortable. Once that’s done, you can proceed with other ‘happy’ steps, like reading a bedtime story or playing a lullaby.
Whatever your bedtime routine is, ensure that it’s long enough to put your baby in a relaxed mood while short enough to not stretch their attention.
Give Them The Sleep They Deserve
While the tips above won’t ensure straight sleep the whole night, they do give your baby the sleeping experience they need. At their point of growth, getting as much rest is necessary. So, parents must do what they can to make it come easy for them.
After all, a happily sleeping baby leads to happily sleeping parents. Invest smartly and stay consistent with routines.
