Swaddling is the cornerstone of calming and sleep because it keeps babies from waking with every twitch and startle. For many babies, swaddling doesn’t instantly cause calming, but it does stop them from flailing. Swaddling is the foundation of safe, happy baby sleep. Nevertheless, there’s a bit of misinformation about this ancient parenting technique swirling around the Internet. Keeping your newborn safe while they are sleeping is of the utmost importance. Position your baby on their back to sleep, with no loose bedding or pillows in the crib. Use a firm, flat, cot mattress to help them maintain a safe sleeping position and keep an eye on their temperature to ensure that they are neither too hot nor too cold. When people talk about sleep regression, they are usually referring to when your child starts waking up during the night and has trouble falling back asleep. There are many causes, and the triggers could be different at different stages of a child’s development. Prevention is often better than cure so try to read the signs before the overtiredness kicks in. A newborn can only handle around 45 minutes of wakefulness, while a 6-month-old can manage a couple of hours or so. Watch their nap times, particularly if you are out and about. Regular naps are an important part of a newborn sleep schedule. Use a guide of 45min awake time before putting your little one down to sleep again. This will help prevent baby getting overtired and over-stimulated. There are several age-appropriate activities you and baby can do together as part of their bedtime routine. As your child grows, you’ll likely restructure the activities you do based on their age and development.



It’s OK to breastfeed your baby in your bed. Before you start feeding, move any bedding and pillows from your bed in case you fall asleep. If you do fall asleep, move your baby to his crib or bassinet as soon as you wake up. Breastfeeding your baby in bed is safer than on a sofa or cushioned chair. A good night’s sleep for your baby means a peaceful slumber for you. In the first year of parenthood, being able to get a few hours’ unbroken rest every so often is important for your physical and mental wellbeing. To begin with I would worry that Katie was waking up through the night, but I soon learned that this was completely normal and discovered some simple things that would help her to sleep through the night. The back is the only safe position for sleep, but it’s the worst position for stopping a baby’s fussies. It makes babies feel insecure, like they’re falling. For crying babies, lying on the stomach (or side, rolled toward the stomach) works the best. (Another good position is up over your shoulder.) Mesh bumpers are considered safe, but are unnecessary in the first weeks of life. Sleep-sack-style wearable blankets are a great idea if a parent is concerned their child might be cold at bedtime. Having a baby is a steep learning curve and aspects such as Sleep Training come along and shake things up just when you're not expecting them.

Cut Out The Light

Your infant’s brain needs to mature to allow for longer sleep cycles. When your infant has less sleep cycles there is less potential to wake during the night. Typically, this happens around 9-12 months. This is a great time to create a few bedtime habits. It signals to your baby that bedtime is coming, and it’s nearly sleep time. Sleep experts say it should last about half an hour – no more than 45 minutes – and take place calmly in the bedroom and bathroom. Don’t go into the playroom or living areas in case your baby thinks it’s time to play. What you do is up to you but it could include: warm bath, nappy change and pjs on, milk and story. Look out for your baby or toddler’s sleep associations such as needing to be rocked to sleep or fed to fall sleep. Once you’re aware of what they are, you can help to encourage them not to depend on them to fall asleep by gently removing/stopping the association when you notice the signs of them getting visibly sleepy. Eye rubbing, yawning and some fussiness are all classic signs your baby is ready for bed. She might also suck her thumb or pull on her ear. Other caregivers find that a busy day full of noise and activity makes it hard for their baby to switch to resting mode. The gentle approach and caring manner of a baby sleep expert allows them to assist you in the most preferable way to deal with Sleep Regression and to assist you and your family in any way possible.

If your baby has been awake for too long before going to sleep, a build up of cortisol, the stress hormone, can make them hard to settle or cause them to wake sooner. As your baby grows, they may find it more difficult to settle as they learn to crawl, and develop an awareness of people and things that exist out of their sight. This is why they might begin crying out for you more often, or develop separation anxiety. This is all quite natural, as your baby is beginning to understand the world around them more. Darkness is an important factor in the quality of our night time sleep. The reduction in light cues our Melatonin production that helps us fall asleep quickly and stay asleep through the night. Make sure your baby's room is very dark at bedtime will help her fall asleep and lead to longer stretches in the night. We know babies who sleep on their backs are much less likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides. The problem with the side position is that the baby can roll more easily onto the stomach. Some parents worry that babies will choke when on their backs, but the baby's airway anatomy and the gag reflex will keep that from happening. A consistent bedtime routine can work wonders. The order is up to you, but it usually involves a soothing bath, a story, and one last feeding. I also like to add a quick massage with lotion, gently squeezing and releasing the baby's knees, wrist, elbows, and shoulders, wherever there's a joint. Then you might do a final 'closing up' of the nursery. If you need guidance on How To Become A Sleep Consultant then let a sleep consultant support you in unlocking your child's potential, with their gentle, empathetic approach to sleep.

Put Your Sleepy Baby To Bed

Babies who have consistent nap routines during the day are more likely to sleep longer stretches at night. A sofa is one of the most dangerous places to fall asleep with a baby and increases the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by up to 50 times. Babies could fall off the sofa, or become wedged at the back making it difficult for them to breath. Use a simple baby bedtime routine- the same things in the same order every night will create a series of cues in your baby’s mind. 30 minutes is plenty, including a bath, story and song. Baby massage can also be a lovely opportunity to bond with your baby and to help relax them before bed. No two babies are exactly alike, and there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to how to get baby to sleep at night. Nevertheless, there are some general recommendations that will help at least set the stage for good sleep. Just when you thought you were through the newborn stage and heading for years of blissful, uninterrupted sleep, ping! Your lively baby suddenly starts waking every hour again. But worry not – with a few changes you’ll soon get things back to normal. Sleep consultants support hundreds of families every year, assisting with things such as 4 Month Sleep Regression using gentle, tailored methods.

Lots of people will be very quick to voice their opinions but it is important to remember that you know what is best for your baby. You understand their needs so try not to worry too much about what other people are saying about their sleeping patterns and concentrate on what you think is best. Seek advice from your midwife and/or health visitor if you think you can benefit from some professional support. Today’s new parents have little experience with babies - amazingly, many have never even touched a newborn in their lives! So they seek answers from the piles of sleep manuals on bookstore shelves. (Over the past twenty years, more sleep manuals have come and gone than any other type of parenting book.) Don’t be shy asking for help from friends or relatives, whether it’s picking up groceries, sweeping the floor or holding the baby while you nap. Friends and family members may also be willing to help at night with diaper changes and feedings. At around 6 months, babies may begin sleeping for a longer time at night. Caregivers and babies may start settling into a sleep routine, and babies typically take naps around the same time each day. Disruptions in this routine and similar environmental shifts may affect sleep. Develop a daily sleep schedule. Babies sleep best when they have consistent sleep times and wake times. Note that cutting back on naps to encourage nighttime sleep results in overtiredness and a worse night’s sleep. There are multiple approaches to Ferber Method and a sleep expert will help you choose one that is right for you and your family.

Develop A Realistic Attitude About Nighttime Parenting

Regularity is an essential ingredient of a soothing bedtime routine. Consistency breeds comfort, which helps lull your baby into a peaceful sleep. Safe sleep experts and the NHS recommend that the safest place for your baby to sleep in the first 6 months is in a cot or crib in the same room as you. This applies to both daytime naps as well as at night. The important thing is to stay confident and consistent and gently help your baby to adjust to falling asleep on their own - and in their own time. When it’s time to go to sleep at night, you probably don’t just hop into bed in the clothes you wore all day and turn out the light. Whether you realize it or not, you follow a routine — brush your teeth, wash your face, change into pajamas and maybe read for a little while before lights out. Like you, your baby can benefit from a consistent and predictable bedtime routine. Don’t expect your baby to sleep several times a day and wake only for feeds and to smile, there will be some crying and grumbling. A sleep expert will be with you every step of the way, guiding you on how best to find a solution to your sleep concerns, whether its Sleep Consultant Training Course or one of an untold number of other things.

Sometimes the best help with baby is in plain sight: your partner or spouse. A bit of teamwork can make a major impact. At night, take turns with your partner getting up with the baby so that you can each get some uninterrupted sleep. Any time you think you might fall asleep with your baby, make sure they are on their back in a clear, safe space. The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a room with an adult than when they sleep alone. It might be reassuring to know that it is both normal and essential for your baby to feed during the night. Babies grow quickly in the early weeks and months of their lives and have very small stomachs. Therefore, they need to feed around the clock to meet their needs. While it can be frustrating when your sleep is disturbed during the night, it can also be a lovely quiet time to be with your baby away from the bustle and distractions of daytime. You can check out extra insights relating to Sleep Consultants in this NHS article.

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