Getting baby to sleep
One of the joys of a newborn baby is watching them sleeping peacefully in their cot. However, as many parents will testify, getting a baby to go to sleep and then making sure they stay asleep through the night can cause plenty of problems and have a major impact on the rest of the family.
Good news for mum and dad is that there are some great products available to help give baby a safe, comfortable and good night’s sleep.
How do I get my baby to sleep through the night?
Newborn babies typically spend 17-18 hours sleeping during the first few weeks reducing down to 14-15 hours by their third month. However, baby will only ever be asleep for three to four hours at a time whether it’s day or night. This translated means that when baby sleeps at night, you’ll get a chance to sleep and when they’re awake at night you’ll be feeding and changing them.
A newborn will sleep when and where they choose so it’s difficult to establish a regular sleeping pattern but there are a few things you can do to help calm them down and make them comfortable.
Creating a safe, comfortable and warm sleeping environment for your baby
Nursery / Room temperature - Before putting baby down to sleep you’ll want to ensure their environment is warm and comfortable. Keeping the room where your baby sleeps at a temperature of 16-20°C reduces the risk of cot death. The Grobag Egg nursery thermometer is the ideal tool for the job. Not only does it display room temperature, it also glows different colours to ensure parents have a visual aid to monitor that the temperature is within a safe range.
Grobag Egg Nursery / Room Thermometer
During the winter months, central heating and double glazing keeps the home environment warm and safe for baby. However, artificial heat also reduces moisture in the air affecting humidity levels. Maintaining the level of humidity in the nursery can help prevent dry skin, respiratory conditions and itchy eyes while having the benefit of aiding a restful night’s sleep.
The most respect and hi tech solution currently on the market is the housetech househeat. New to the UK, hundreds of thousands sold throughout out Europe. A great device to control room temperature while saving energy and cutting down bills
Baby sleeping bags / swaddling - For sleeping at night, you’ll need to be put baby into a swaddling wrap or a baby sleeping bag. Swaddle wraps recreate the soothing feeling of being in the womb and can also reduce the symptoms of colic. The Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe wrap can be adjusted as baby grows and is easily accessible for when a nappy needs changing.
Using a swaddling wrap for the first 3-4 months can make the transition to a sleeping bag or ‘grobag’ a little easier. Sleeping bags keep baby at a comfortable temperature through the night and, like duvets, have a tog rating - the higher the tog rating the warmer the sleeping bag.
Baby sleeping position - Once baby is ready to be put down, you’ll want to ensure they maintain a safe and comfortable sleeping position in their cot. Keeping baby in the right position will improve the quality of sleep and lessen the possibility of injury. The ‘feet to foot’ position is believed to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as ‘cot death’. Sleeping positional aids can also help with reflux and digestion problems and the fabrics are designed to reduce overheating.
Baby sleep assistance - Eventually your baby will need to learn to fall asleep without your assistance (rocking, singing etc.) but they’ll still require reassurance to do so or if they wake in the night and you’re not in the room. Using a sleep assisting toy is the perfect way to soothe your baby to sleep on their own.
Sometimes referred to as a ’sleep pacifier’, ‘transitional object’ or ’security object’, this can be something as simple as a blanket but a stuffed toy is best and can become a cherished object for your baby. Keeping the toy with you during time together with your baby will add your scent to it. The smell of your scent can be extremely reassuring should baby awake in their cot and you’re not around.
The latest sleep assisting toys make natural soothing noises until baby falls asleep. The Slumber Bear for example has been clinically proven to have a calming effect on newborn babies by playing comforting sounds that baby would have heard in the womb in the four to five months prior to birth. Should baby wake and begin to cry, sound and motion detectors re-activate the sounds to soothe baby back to sleep again.
Once baby is snuggled up and ready for bed, night lights and audio sleeping aids can lull them into a sense of calm which will help them fall into a natural sleep. Night lights can be simple plug socket lights that radiate a warm glow in case your infant is scared of being in the dark or they can project images onto the ceiling and play gentle lullaby songs to soothe them off to sleep.
Other baby sleeping tips
Sleeping cues - Watch for cues from your baby about when they’re feeling sleepy. A baby can go from sleepiness to being alert very quickly. Should they fall asleep while being fed or carried put them down in their designated sleeping environment (cot, Moses basket etc.). When they’re awake and alert, be active with them. Baby will then begin to distinguish sleeping periods and wakeful periods and associate sleep to their designated sleeping environment.
Separate naps from bedtime - At first, your baby will confuse nighttime with daytime but over time your baby will sleep longest during the night and you can help them make the distinction. Creating bedtime patterns such as baths, getting changed into bedclothes, dimming the lights, cradling etc. will help them learn about nighttime hours and the longer sleeping periods.
Nighttime feeds - Newborn babies require feeds throughout the day and night but you can make changes to their feeding routine during the night to help them distinguish them from daytime feeds. Night feeds should be quiet while day feeds can be more sociable and active. When feeding at night, don’t turn on the lights or talk and be quick to feed the baby before he/she fully wakes up i.e. when you hear a whimper, go to them straight away and get the feed over with before they fully awaken.
Quick Tips:
- Place baby on his/her back for sleeping, never the front or side
- Baby’s feet should be close to the end of the cot to prevent them wriggling down under the blankets
- Keep room temperature between 16-20°C
- You can check baby’s temperature by feeling the stomach. If they feel too cold add a blanket, too hot remove one. Hands and feet are not good indicators of temperature so use their stomach instead.
January 24th, 2009 at 3:19 am
is it acceptable to use controlled crying for a baby less than six months of age?? is it acceptable for the child to be placed in a room with no light or noise??
January 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Hi Colleen,
Controlled crying is a sleep training method to teach your baby to sleep on their own. Experts do not recommend using controlled crying before the age of 6 months. The gradual retreat method is better for babies under six months.
As for your other question it depends on the child. Some children can be aroused by ambient noise whereas others find the gentle hum of a fan or heating relaxing. If a little light is required, try a night light. These provide a warm glowing ambient light that generally doesn’t disturb sleep. If you find it does, leave the room in darkness as your child may prefer it.
If you’re potty training your child, a night light may be useful to prevent them stumbling about when they wake up needing the loo. A night light is also useful for parents when they check in on their child as it means you don’t have to turn on the main light which could wake your child up.