Solving Baby’s Sleep Problems: It’s Time to Sleep
Website design By BotEap.comIf you’re a parent with a young child, here’s a question that might make you yawn: what were you doing this morning at 1 a.m. M., At 3 a. M. Or at 5 a.m. M.? Were you sleeping like a baby or were you actually hugging and rocking your little cherub in an attempt to make him fall asleep? After all, that’s what being a father is all about, right?
Website design By BotEap.comA lucky few will have been sleeping in bed through the night, but a large percentage of the parent population will have been feeding or pacing the floor with the little bundles of joy.
Website design By BotEap.comJust as your newborn weaves magic through your heart, the effects of lack of sleep can cast a spell on your body and mind. One in three children have real sleep problems before they reach school age, but these can be overcome in many cases, and it doesn’t have to involve leaving your baby crying for hours on end.
Website design By BotEap.comSo why don’t little children sleep?
Website design By BotEap.comWe all sleep in cycles consisting of blocks of light and deep sleep. If you rock your baby to sleep or let him sleep on your breast before putting him to bed, you are heading for trouble. Your baby goes into a light sleep phase and is more likely to wake up when he realizes that he is alone. They will cry, you will return to them and since you know no other way, you will pick them up, rock them to sleep and put them back on their cot. And the cycle continues!
Website design By BotEap.comPath of common sense
Website design By BotEap.comControlled comfort was devised by Australian nurse Rhonda Abrahams. It is kinder than controlled crying. “You should never let a baby younger than 6 months cry,” says Ronda, “you shouldn’t let older babies cry for more than 10 minutes.”
Website design By BotEap.comRhonda based her technique on common sense. “Babies need to learn to fall asleep on their own so that if they wake up at night, they can go back to sleep,” he explains. To work, the techniques must be used for all types of sleep, or your baby will receive mixed messages. And the little ones learn by repetition. Therefore, you should adopt this routine for both day and night.
Website design By BotEap.comReady or Not?
Website design By BotEap.comBefore starting the program …
Website design By BotEap.comMake sure your baby is okay. If they get sick just as the new routine begins, stop and start over when they get better.
Website design By BotEap.comMake sure you are okay; neither of you will do any good starting a new routine while your body is under stress.
Website design By BotEap.comTry to have a free week enough to put in as much time and effort as possible to make the routine work. A busy schedule will make it more difficult and take longer to work.
Website design By BotEap.comIf someone else cares about your baby, make sure they know what’s involved – nothing sabotages a new routine as quickly as mixed messages.
Website design By BotEap.comGet a dim nightlight so your baby can see his surroundings when he wakes up.
Website design By BotEap.comIt’s just a routine
Website design By BotEap.comA regular routine is the surest way to get an infant or toddler to sleep independently. Youngsters respond to a familiar pattern of events, and sleeping in the same environment each night gives them a sense of security and comfort. Establishing a bedtime routine will benefit not only your child, but also “you and your partner as you can have some adult quiet time.”
Website design By BotEap.comEncourage patterns in your newborn’s life, as these will become routine, and babies learn from repetition. Keep in mind that a habit can be formed in just three days!
Website design By BotEap.comThe best way to establish a routine is to use the feeding / play / sleep method. During the day your baby wakes up, feed him and then let him play for a while. Watch out for signs of tiredness (yawning, rubbing eyes, gray hair, hiding face). When you notice them, you will need to start solving them. Snuggle up before a nap during the day; in the afternoons, give them a relaxing bath. Baby massage can also calm him down. Never overstimulate your child before going to bed or think that the longer you keep him awake, the more tired he will become and the easier it will be to put him to sleep. An overly tired baby is more difficult to settle down, and if you wait until he is tired to start his last feed, he will fall asleep while feeding. The main challenge with this is that your baby will be scared when he wakes up alone in the crib and wonders where you are; after all, when they fell asleep, they were in your arms!
Website design By BotEap.comSettlement – Newborn – 6 months
Website design By BotEap.comUnless your baby is unusually cooperative, be prepared to cry a bit; it helps to have someone else support you.
Website design By BotEap.com1. Wrap your baby tightly, but not tightly, in a small blanket or stroller sheet, covering her hands to help her feel more secure and to avoid catching her face if she fidgets.
Website design By BotEap.com2. Place them on their bunk on their side so they are not looking away (avoid eye contact) and with their feet near the end of the bunk. Remember that this is not the position in which they will sleep; it will put them on their backs once they are asleep. In the meantime, they won’t take any damage, as you’ll be in the room with them at all times. Look at the clock and note the time. You’re going to give them 15 minutes to settle.
Website design By BotEap.com3. They have probably already started crying. Place one hand on her shoulder and gently pat her back or pat her butt gently with your other hand. They will probably keep crying.
Website design By BotEap.com4. If, after 15 minutes, they are still crying and show no signs of calming down, pick them up and give them a hug (do not rock them to sleep, remember this is what you are trying to avoid).
Website design By BotEap.com5. Once they have calmed down, put them back on their bunk, this time facing away, and try another 15-minute period to get settled. Put a hand on their shoulder and pat or stroke them, as before. If they begin to calm down, remove your hand; the idea is for your baby to calm down.
Website design By BotEap.com6. Once your baby is sound asleep, gently roll him onto his back, loosen the wrap, and leave.
Website design By BotEap.com7. If your baby is still crying, pick him up, cuddle him, and start over.
Website design By BotEap.comThe most important thing is perseverance. New routines take time, but think about how much more enjoyable parenting will be when you get a good night’s sleep.
Website design By BotEap.comSettlement 6 – 12 months
Website design By BotEap.comAgain, it will be helpful to have support. With this technique, your baby will never be left alone crying for more than ten minutes at a time. Are you ready? Well here it goes!
Website design By BotEap.com1. Put your baby on his back in the crib. Make sure their feet are at the foot of the bed and tell them “It’s time to sleep now.” Exit the room and wait two minutes. You want to give your baby a chance to fall asleep on his own. As soon as they realize they are alone, they are likely to start protesting. If they don’t settle in 2 minutes, go back inside.
Website design By BotEap.com2. Turn them sideways, with their back to you. Put one hand on her shoulder and keep gently stroking her lower or upper thigh with your other hand. Do this for two minutes, repeating the words “It’s time to sleep now” in a soft, soothing voice. If the baby is still protesting after two minutes, leave the room and wait outside, this time for four minutes.
Website design By BotEap.com3. If they haven’t settled yet, go back and try, this time for four minutes. Next time, it will be six minutes, then eight minutes, and finally ten minutes.
Website design By BotEap.com4. In the unlikely event that after the ten minute session they are still not settled, take them out of the crib, give them a hug, calm them (making sure not to rock them to sleep), and when they have resolved to repeat the process.
Website design By BotEap.comYou will notice that your child’s crying will reach a peak and then subside, often very quickly, until he finally falls asleep.
Website design By BotEap.comAs stated throughout this article, the key to success is perseverance. If you follow this routine to the letter, within 3 to 10 days, your baby should be sleeping through the night and be able to fall asleep again if you wake up.
Website design By BotEap.comGood luck and happy dream!