Sleep Training

When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night? What to Know

When will my baby sleep through the night?

Parents with a newborn baby at home may feel like a good night’s rest is now something of a myth. While it is true that your current sleeping schedule may be out of whack, this won’t be the case forever. With a lot of patience and a few sleep training techniques, parents see that sooner or later, their babies sleep through the night and adopt a predictable sleeping routine.

Newborn babies wake up and go to sleep at all hours of the day and night. As their bodies and minds are constantly growing, these little babies need their sleep now more than ever. However, enforcing a new sleep schedule may take a considerable amount of effort.

Most babies sleep through the night only once they’ve reached a certain stage in their development. The baby’s weight, age, environment, temperament, and the family’s routine all affect the quality, quantity, and schedule of sleep a baby experiences.

A Baby’s Timeline to Sleeping Through the Night

Babies start sleeping through the night after they’ve experienced a few key milestones in their cognitive and physical development.

Decreased Moro or startle reflex. This startle reflex is the culprit that causes a baby to jerk itself awake in response to triggers like a temperature change, loud noise, sudden movement, or a bad dream. Babies with a strong Moro reflex likely wake up with their arms flailing. This reflex tends to decrease or disappear around the four-month mark, which helps babies sleep through the night.
Increased weight gain and feeding.
Decreased feeding throughout the night.
Decreased feedings at night.
Increased ability in self-soothing (by sucking on hands, fingers, or pacifiers).

When Babies Sleep Through the Night

Doctors expect that babies sleep through the night around the time they are four- and six-months-old. Sleeping for a period longer than eight hours will generally occur after six months.

Parents can help babies sleep through the night by eliminating nighttime feedings around the time the baby is six-months-old. However, this timeline may be delayed for mothers that breastfeed, as babies can metabolize their mom’s breastmilk faster and may require feedings more frequently.

What Does “Sleeping Through the Night” Mean?

Sleeping through the night may mean different things for parents and babies. Babies sleep through the night when they reach an uninterrupted period of three to eight hours a night. A newborn that sleeps a three-hour stretch is just starting to sleep through the night at this time.

When a newborn reaches four or five months old, they likely won’t need to have a midnight meal. However, it is the parent’s job to curtail this midnight feeding as most babies will want the comfort of this nightly meal.

The age of your newborn will also affect the duration of their sleep:

Newborns typically sleep restfully for three hours each night.
At four months, babies often sleep seven or eight hours every night. If your baby is around 11 pounds, they no longer need to have nighttime feedings.
By the time babies are between five and six months, these babies sleep through the night for eight hours without any feedings in between. Though they are capable of sleeping without feeding, they also may wake up crying for a snack before the day begins.

With this timeline in mind, parents must realize that babies start sleeping through the night generally around the six-month mark. Parents will likely need to get used to napping whenever they find the time to during the first few months with their newborn.

Tips to Help Babies Sleep Through The Night

Parents anxiously waiting for their babies to start sleeping through the night must realize that they don’t get there on their own. The more intentional parents are about setting their child up for successful sleeping habits, the sooner their babies start sleeping through the night.

Wake Baby Before You Go to Sleep

Before you’re ready to go to sleep, go ahead and wake up your newborn for one last late night feeding. Even if your baby is sleepy, taking a few minutes to feed them now may give you a couple of extra hours of uninterrupted sleep. However, keep in mind that this tip may backfire and cause the baby to wake up more often.

Alternatively, try to give the baby a bigger feeding during their last meal before bed. Babies often nod off before they finish feeding. If this is the case, try waking your child and make sure they finish getting their fill before turning in for the night. Guaranteeing your baby has eaten enough will help to keep baby from waking you up in the night out of hunger.

Stretch Out Baby’s Feedings

Newborns often need to be fed in two – three hour intervals. However, when they reach the three – four month mark, the parent needs to start stretching out the time between their feedings. At night, parents should gradually stretch out the feeding intervals by adding 30 minutes between meals every other night. By stretching out these feedings, parents will be able to help their babies sleep through the night.

Shorten Your Baby’s Nighttime Feeding

Babies start sleeping through the night when they have shorter nighttime feedings. Start weaning your baby by putting less formula or breastmilk in their bottle during the nighttime wakings. By decreasing this amount of milk or time of nursing throughout the week, your baby will soon be able to give up this nighttime feeding completely.

Don’t Rush in When Your Baby Cries

If your baby is used to you coming in and feeding them as soon as they start crying, try to give them a few minutes before coming in to feed them. Your baby should be able to entertain themselves or doze off, effectively skipping this midnight feeding.

While the goal is for them to self-soothe, you may need to go in to gently caress your baby if they are protesting loudly. However, the sooner your baby learns that their nightly waking won’t lead to instant feedings, the likelier they will sleep restfully through the night.

Start Sleep Training Your Baby

If parents believe that their child has reached the point when babies start sleeping through the night, they can begin following some best practices of sleep training. Babies should be put down at the proper bedtime. Depending on your child’s age, this is typically 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. if they are under the age of one. Babies that are up later are more likely to become overtired, which will mean they take a long amount of time to fall asleep and wake up during the night.

Establish a Bedtime Routine

Additionally implementing routines is a must during this stage of sleep training. While this routine needn’t be extremely strict, there needs to be a regular and constant routine that both you and your baby follow each night. Babies start sleeping through the night when they are provided the consistency that allows them to feel secure and safe. Parents should try to keep this same consistency every night so their baby knows what to expect at bedtime.

If Baby Won’t Sleep Through the Night

Despite all your best attempts, you may find that your baby doesn’t sleep through the night. Some babies simply need more time to adjust to this new life of sleeping for six or eight uninterrupted hours.

Babies start sleeping through the night when they’re ready, so parents should take that into account regardless of how long it takes for their child to begin sleeping through the night. Oftentimes, children that are underweight need frequent feedings. If this is the case for your baby, it’s likely that they will need more time with nightly feedings.

Not all babies sleep through the night at six months. Parents must realize that what works for one baby might not work in their situation. If your baby needs nighttime feedings, regular naps, and comfort in the night, that’s perfectly fine.

Exhausted parents won’t be tired forever. Babies start sleeping through the night when they are the right age, weight, and when they have adopted a working sleeping schedule. Keep this guide in mind when trying to help your babies sleep through the night.

What a Baby Should Wear to Sleep: Dressing for Sleep Success!

What should my baby wear to sleep?

There’s nothing more fun than dressing your baby in cute little outfits and onesies. When it comes to bedtime, your baby needs to be dressed the right way. Knowing what a baby should wear to sleep can keep your little one safe and happy.

That’s an important question. When you choose your baby’s sleep outfits, you should take safety, comfort and convenience into account. Your baby’s sleep attire might also depend on the time of year.

Choosing what a baby should wear to sleep isn’t as easy as it looks. There are seemingly millions of adorable baby nighties and pajamas that just seem irresistible. Before you plunk down money on those cute pajamas, think carefully about what a baby should wear to sleep for the most comfort, safety and sleep success.

Keeping Your Baby Safe

Safety is clearly a top priority when it comes to getting your little one dressed for sleep.

Go for a Snug Fit

In order to keep your baby safe while he or she is snoozing away, look for sleepwear that fits snugly. This ensures that your baby’s clothing won’t catch or snag on anything. Catching on sharp objects can tear the clothing and injure your baby. Snug clothing won’t catch fire as easily. Always make the choice for safety when you’re choosing what a baby should wear to sleep.

Do You Need Flame-Retardant Sleepwear?

Some people are reluctant to buy fabrics with flame retardant. These parents worry that the chemicals are harmful to growing children.

Parents who want to avoid introducing toxins into their homes or their babies’ cribs are avoiding these chemically treated fabrics. Fortunately, there is a better way.

Natural Fabrics Are Fine

Many parents think that they should avoid natural fabrics because these fabrics are more likely to burn. In truth, soft, natural fabrics ae wonderful for babies. They’re lightweight, breathable and less likely to cause skin irritations. These fabrics are also washable.

If you’re concerned about safety, refer to the point above about snug-fitting clothing. Any garment that fits your baby close to the skin will keep your baby safe. If you want to buy a cute nightgown or pajama because it’s irresistible or just irresistibly priced, go right ahead. It doesn’t have to have flame-retardant chemicals in it.

If you’re staying up nights worrying about fire safety, it’s more sensible and more useful to take the following steps:

Make sure your home’s fire alarms are in good working order.
Keep a fire extinguisher in your home.
Remind yourself that most deaths from fires come from smoke inhalation and not from burns.

Avoid Embellishments

Trimmings, ribbons and buttons can make any child’s outfit look adorable. Just be careful when you’re choosing what a baby should wear to sleep. Those extra trimmings can get loose and create a choking hazard.

Don’t Overheat Your Baby

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your baby needs extra warmth. When you’re deciding what a baby should wear to sleep, you might think that babies need to be warm at night.

Babies are just like the rest of us. We all sleep better in slightly cool conditions. Your body temperature needs to drop in order to allow sleep to take over.

Keep the temperature of your baby’s room between 65 and 70 degrees. That’s an ideal temperature that keeps most people comfortable when sleeping.

Love Those Layers

A good rule of thumb when dressing your baby for sleep or deciding what a baby should wear to sleep is to check your own comfort level. If you’re wearing one sweater and you feel fine, give your baby two layers. If you’re wearing a sweater and a cardigan and you feel comfortable, your baby needs three layers.

Keep in mind that one of those layers can be your baby’s blanket. It’s better to use several light layers than one or two heavy ones.

Keep Your Baby Comfortable

Babies move around while they’re sleeping. We all do, but you tend to notice it more with babies. Tossing and turning won’t hurt your baby. Babies who learn to find their own favorite sleeping position are more likely to develop healthy sleeping habits.

Single Pieces

One-piece outfits are best for babies. They allow babies to move around freely while they’re sleeping. This freedom of movement leads to better sleep and the ability to sleep through the night. Those are goals you want to encourage.

To really keep your baby comfortable, consider the following tips.

Don’t use footed pajamas. Many foot doctors say that growing feet need to breathe to stay healthy.
Choose smooth, lightweight and breathable fabrics.
Select a firm mattress for your baby’s crib. This is especially important if your baby is sleeping while swaddled.
Babies don’t need heavy blankets or comforters.

What a Baby Should Wear to Sleep in Certain Situations

What should a baby wear to sleep if it’s genuinely cold or hot in your baby’s room?

Cooler Temperatures

If you’re dressing your baby for cooler temperatures, add some layers when you’re deciding what a baby should wear to sleep. If it’s going to be genuinely chilly, consider the following:

Have your baby wear a onesie under their pajama.
Add socks or booties.
A lightweight cap adds extra warmth.
Don’t pile on heavy blankets or quilts. These can be dangerous to babies and they’re not necessary. The right layers of clothing will keep your baby cozy.

Warmer Weather

In hot weather, start subtracting layers. Your baby will feel cool in lightweight cotton pajamas. You can let your baby sleep in just a onesie if he or she is more comfortable that way.

While we like to have a covering when we sleep, even if it’s just a light sheet, babies don’t need that. If your baby is warm, don’t think you have to add a sheet to the crib. Your baby will sleep well without a cover.

Fabric Choices

When choosing what a baby should wear to sleep, fabric choice is a key consideration. The best fabrics for babies’ sleepwear are:

Lightweight.
Non-irritating to a baby’s tender skin.
Easy to wash.
Quick to dry.
Easy to move in.

Here are some of the best fabrics to consider.

Cotton Jersey

This smooth, supple fabric lets your little one move around freely. It’s stretchy and soft. Cotton jersey won’t bind your baby’s movements. It’s very cool and easy to wear.

Cotton blends with a touch of spandex keep their shape and wrinkle less than pure cottons do.

Microfiber

Babies with sensitive skin will appreciate this silky, pliable fabric. Like cotton jersey, it allows for easy movement. Microfiber is synthetic. It has the properties of a good cotton jersey.

Bamboo Rayon

If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic and environmentally conscious choice, look for bamboo rayon. This is even softer and it’s also a better choice for babies whose skin is easily irritated. Bamboo rayon has thermal properties. It helps a baby’s skin temperature stay cool.

Cotton Gauze

This is an airy fabric that is extremely breathable. Gauze is soft and lightweight. It often has a crinkled look. If you don’t mind the slightly rumpled look that it has, cotton gauze is an excellent choice for a baby’s sleepwear. It’s a good choice if you live in a hot climate.

Fleece

Soft, fluffy fleece is ideal for cold weather. It’s a popular fabric for pajamas. You can also find fleece caps, booties and mittens for those cold nights that require extra layers on your baby.

Can Your Baby Sleep Naked?

Some parents feel that sleeping naked is the most healthy and natural choice for babies. Instead of trying to figure out what a baby should wear to sleep, they choose this approach.

Other parents don’t have a choice. They find that their babies are uncomfortable in any pajamas or onesies. Their babies end up wriggling out of their pajamas in order to get comfortable.

If that’s the case, don’t force your little nudist to cover up. If it’s not cold, they will be just fine.

Conclusion

It’s not hard to decide what a baby should wear to sleep. Choose light, stretchy fabrics that are easy to care for. Make sure the sleepwear fits snugly. Keep your baby’s bedroom cool. You’ll both sleep easy.

What Is Sleep Training? A Crash Course.

What is sleep training and how do you do it?

When you were expecting, what did you friends tell you? Did they say that after the baby was born you would never sleep again? As silly as that sounds, it’s not completely untrue.

Well, a little untrue, however, if you don’t implement proper sleep habits at an early age, you chances of catching enough winks could become a distant memory.

Understanding what sleep training is, how it works and how implementing it isn’t as difficult as it may seem. But before we go any further, what is sleep training?

Continue reading to learn what sleep training is and how it benefits both you and your baby:

What is Sleep Training?

When you research “what is sleep training online,” what pops up? Even with the abundance of information about sleep training available, it can still be confusing to new parents.

Sleep training is all about teaching your baby how to fall asleep and remain asleep on their own. For some people, it may seem odd that going to sleep doesn’t come naturally to everyone.

If you’re new to the world of parenting or have children who just don’t want to follow a schedule, you are probably well aware of the truth.

But if you baby is having trouble sleeping peacefully, it’s important to establish proper sleep hygiene habits as early as possible. Even though babies spend a majority of time sleeping during their first few months of life, they still have to learn when and how to sleep.

Once the middle-of-the-night feedings are over, most babies have already developed a sleep-wake cycle. Effective sleep training can help both you and the baby get a good night’s rest

Before they’re able to sleep on their own, babies need the help of their parents, which makes it all the more important to learn what sleep training is.

Sleep training is more than simply putting your baby in their room. It’s all about self-soothing and teaching your baby how to stay asleep on their own. There are plenty of benefits that come with sleep training your baby.

One of the top benefits that comes with sleep training is that everyone gets to sleep through the night without having to worry about a fussy baby.

Regardless of reason, broken sleep leads to decreased levels of concentration, memory fog and makes it dangerous to drive a car.

In addition, your baby needs proper amount of sleep to develop and reach all of those wonderful milestones that await them!

Now, keep in mind that sleep training is not exactly a must for all babies. In fact, many families who skip sleep training have children without sleep disturbances.

A common misconception is that some pediatricians may try to force you into sleep training. However, this is not the case. Medical experts have stated that the best way to approach sleep training is the one that’s best suited for your family.

When to Start Sleep Training

Worn-out parents may be extremely eager to start their baby’s sleep training right away. Knowing when to start sleep training can be difficult to figure out for new parents.

Some babies are able to start their sleep training when they’re four to six months old. However, there is no “perfect time” to start your baby’s sleep training. While four months is considered the best time to start, it’s perfectly okay to start when your baby is around seven to 10 months.

During the first few months of your baby’s life or when you were pregnant, you may have researched various forms of sleep training. Doing research is fine, but remember it’s important that you discuss sleep training with your pediatrician before starting getting started.

Some descriptions of sleep training you’ve read online are not entirely accurate. In fact, they can be downright false. Your pediatrician is a trained medical professional who understands how beneficial sleep training can be.

For instance, let’s say that your baby is slow to gain weight or was born prematurely. They might not be ready to stop night-time feedings and will need a sleep schedule that has adapted to waking up in the middle of the night.

How to Sleep Train

Now that your question of “what is sleep training?” has been answered, it’s time to get into how to sleep train your baby. There are several ways to implement sleep training into your baby’s routine.

One way is called gentle sleep training. with this method, you pick up your child and gently rock them back and forth until they fall asleep. It’s also to soothe your baby if they’re crying. Other methods include letting your baby soothe themselves for the night and not open their door until the morning.

While neither of these methods are considered right or wrong, it does depend on what works best for you and your family.

Every method of sleep training has its pros and cons, so it’s important to understand each method works.

Below are some of the most popular forms of sleep training:

The No-Tears Method

This method was created by a sleep expert Elizabeth Pantley. The no-tears method involves you subtly changing your baby’s sleep habits. For example, if your child always needs to be rocked back and forth, you will rock them less and less until they can be put down to sleep without the need for it.

This technique is known as fading, which means that you slowly but surely ease your baby out of their go-to-sleep strategy.

The CIO Method

Also known as the cry-it-out method, this form of sleep training involves letting your child learn to soothe themselves. This means you do not interfere as they’re trying to fall asleep. The general idea of this method is that babies are able to learn how to self-soothe and stop crying in order to sleep through the night.

The Weissbluth Method

There’s a bit more to this sleep training method than the other two. Basically, it involves setting up a sleep routine for your baby. For example, you may give your baby a warm bath followed by story time and a lullaby. Once the baby falls asleep, close the door and do not enter until morning.

If you choose to try this method when your baby around four months old, know that it may not be so easy at first. You may have to deal with a lot of crying, however, it will gradually fade as your baby becomes more accustomed to the routine.

Again, it all depends on your baby’s needs and whether they’ve stopped nursing during the night.

The Pick Up and Put Down Method

Similar to the Ferber method, you put your baby to bed while they’re still awake and check on them a few times. However, unlike the Ferber method, you can pick your baby up, comfort them, hold them for a few more minutes before finally putting them back down again.

Over time, your child will become sleepy and end up going to sleep on their own.

Regardless of what method you choose, it’s important that you understand that sleep training is a different experience for every parent. You’re bound to hear about a baby who was able to sleep through the night on day one, but that doesn’t mean they can sleep on their own.

So, the question is, how long does sleep training take? Most medical experts estimate that most forms of sleep training at least a week to implement. Sticking to them is what will ultimately make them work.

What are Sleeping Training Alternatives?

If the idea of letting your baby cry it out sends shivers down your spine, it’s okay to try other ways to get some rest. First and foremost, make the most out of your own personal sleep time.

Allow yourself at least six to seven hours of uninterrupted sleep, even on alternate nights.

By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to deal with your little night owl. In addition, nap when your baby naps. Even if it’s for 20 minutes, nothing feels better than a cat nap.

What are Sleep Training Contraindications?

There are various books can answer the question,”What is sleep training?”. However, you should always speak to your pediatrician before embarking on a sleep training regimen. There are situations that warrant holding off, which includes low birth weight or other medical issues.

Sleep training is not always a viable option for every baby.

Conclusion

As stated above, the best way to succeed with sleep training is finding a method that works for you and your family. Sleeping training is always able to be tweaked to suit the situation. Keep an accurate record of which methods you try, so you can weed out ones that aren’t doing the trick.

Although sleep training is one of the best ways to teach your little one proper sleep habits, don’t feel bad if it doesn’t work the first time around. When it comes to parenting, it’s all about trial and error. Rest assured, no matter how long it persists, your sleepless nights will eventually end.

6 Sleep Training Methods to Quickly Put Your Baby to Sleep

What are the best sleep training methods?

A defining moment for any caretaker or parent raising a child is that period during which it’s hard to get any consistent sleep. Because your baby is constantly waking you, your nights are filled with continually getting up and having to check on them to make sure everything is fine.

For many people, this is typically a defining moment in a stressful way. Though you are able to spend a lot of one-on-one time with your child and understand what it truly means to love your baby, it can also be very inconvenient and overbearing, especially when you are trying to get enough sleep and stay on top of all of your responsibilities.

This is why many people resort to sleep training methods to use with their children. Sleep training methods are essentially anything that can be used to show your baby good sleep habits, encouraging them to maintain healthy patterns as opposed to waking up intermittently throughout the night and day.

As you can imagine, there are many different approaches to sleep training that each method will assert that it is the best one available. This couldn’t be further from the truth—there are actually a wide variety of different methods possible, making sleep training a very nuanced activity to do.

However, there are some common methods you can look into to help your baby sleep better at night. To help you in your decision making process, we’ve made a list of 6 sleep training methods that are definitely worth trying.

BEFORE WE BEGIN, IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BEFORE INCORPORATING A SLEEP TRAINING CYCLE INTO YOUR ROUTINE. This is because all babies are different and might react differently to various sleep training methods. While these sleep training methods are helpful, you should have a doctor’s permission before introducing them to your baby’s routine.

#1. The Fading Technique

If you are somebody who has a baby who spends a lot of time moving around in bed before finally falling asleep, this sleep training method is helpful for gradually moving their bedtime earlier. To do this method, simply put them to bed at the time you normally do for a few nights. Once you’ve done that for four or five nights, move the interval to 15 minutes earlier and do that for a few days.

Continue to bring their bedtime earlier by 15 minute intervals until you’re satisfied with the results! This is one of the more effective sleep training methods due to how direct and easy it is to use. However, it takes commitment. To make this method work correctly, you need to be incredibly precise about the time at which you put your child to bed. If you don’t put them to bed at the exact same time each night, you will ruin the effectiveness of this method.

#2. Routine Fading

This method is slightly different than the previous fading technique. Instead of making your baby’s bedtime slowly earlier and earlier, you do one of the techniques you currently do to make your baby fall asleep. For example, many caretakers or parents who have trouble getting their children to sleep end up having to rock them to sleep after a while of the baby not being able to go to sleep on their own.

For the routine fading method, you should continue doing this, but slightly lower the amount that you rock them each night. You should be very precise about this, decreasing the time you rock them in noticeable, but small intervals. For instance, if you typically rock them for 5 minutes, try lowering it by 1 minute every few days. If you have to rock them for 20 minutes, try removing 4 minutes every few days. Regardless of how long you do it for, make sure to incrementally diminish the amount that you rock them until they don’t need it anymore.

#3. Distanced Comfort

As one of the more intensive sleep training methods, this one involves being in the same room as the baby that is having trouble falling asleep, only picking them up and patting them on the back every once in a while. By doing this, you provide them with a distanced sense of comfort, allowing them to feel calmer without needing the physical reinforcement. Getting them used to more abstract ideas of comfort also opens the door to simply tucking them in and leaving the room, making it easier for them to sleep.

When do you get up and comfort them? Typically when they start fussing. This is to ensure them that you are still there when they get nervous, making them less likely to continue to fuss later on into the night. The only potential downside to this method is that you might have to be in the room for a while on a nightly basis to get the desired effects, making this one of the more intensive methods.

#4. The Chair Method

This one is a very helpful one for those who have babies that continually wake up multiple times throughout the night. All you have to do is put a chair next to the baby’s crib, sitting in it quietly until they fall asleep. When they fall asleep, get up and leave the room, but when they wake up again, come back in and sit down again. The idea is to continue doing this every night, slowly moving the chair further away from the crib until it is out of the room.

This method is useful for helping the baby get used to you not being in the room, subsequently leading them to fall asleep on their own.

#5. The Crying Method

This is one of the more emotional sleep training methods as it requires you to completely leave your child once you put them down to sleep. It’s important to note that this method has been heavily criticized over the years for being a bit harsh for the baby, though some experts also believe it’s effective. Because this method can be a bit difficult and also depends on how the baby is developing, you should ask a medical professional to make sure it’s right for your child.

#6. Interval Training

If you are a person who prefers to structure and compartmentalize, this might be the easiest method for you to employ. Interval training involves you coming in and checking in on your baby at regular intervals throughout the night. Check back every few minutes until they fall asleep and then continue doing it for nights on end, eventually decreasing the amount of intervals at which you check in until they don’t need you to be there anymore.

An interval training schedule might look like the following:

5 minute intervals
10 minute intervals
15 minute intervals
20 minute intervals

This is one of the most tried and true sleep training methods due to how regular you’re able to keep it. It’s important to note that sometimes sleep training isn’t a linear progression and those who employ this method might have to decrease the intervals again due to the baby not responding so well. This is normal and is easy to adjust with this method of sleep training!

In Conclusion

There are many different types of sleep training methods, but at the end of the day the most important thing is that you are helping your baby adopt a healthier lifestyle. Sleep training methods are a great way to make sure that your child maintains a healthy lifestyle, encouraging their development and making sure that they continue to stay healthy!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed these sleep training methods and that you or someone you know can use them in the future to help your baby stay happy and healthy!

Overtired Baby Won’t Nap or Sleep?

Overtired Baby Won’t Sleep or Nap?

You know how important it is for your baby to sleep. You also know that by the end of the day, you’re often both exhausted. Why is your overtired baby refusing to get to sleep?

It’s frustrating to watch your baby suddenly turn cranky and start yowling instead of snoring. Here are some common reasons that your baby might getting overtired. We’ll also give you some tips on coping with an overtired baby so you can both get some much-needed rest.

How to Know if You Have an Overtired Baby

Babies give us clear signs to how they’re feeling. If you have a cranky, crying baby on your hands, you may be wondering if you missed a sign along the way.

She Avoids Sources of Stimulation

Your baby will try to shut out sounds and sights that are overtaxing her brain and her nervous system. She’ll start by closing her eyes, rubbing her eyes and trying to hide.

He Tries to Calm Himself

Your overstimulated baby may try to comfort himself. He may suck his thumb or hug a favorite toy. He may also close his eyes and turn away from the source of noise.

You See These Physical Symptoms

An exhausted, worn-out baby will eventually start shaking, hiccupping, sneezing and breathing rapidly. At this point, she may also start crying uncontrollably and writhing as if she’s in pain.

An Overtired Baby is a Frightened Baby

In simple terms, an overtired baby is a baby who’s overstressed and frightened. You need to take quick action to soothe your baby and help her get to sleep.

What Causes a Baby to Get Overtired?

She’s Getting Too Much Stimulation

Your baby might be getting too stimulated during the hours that she’s awake. Babies are extremely sensitive to visual stimuli, noise and movements. That’s why they prefer quiet, familiar surroundings where they’re not exposed to noise and commotion. They find it exciting, but it also stimulates a stress reaction in them after a certain point.

Most infants can only cope with about an hour a day of all this excitement. Babies who are about six months old can tolerate about two hours a day of visual and auditory stimulus. The stress reaction kicks in and leaves your baby overtired.

What to Do

Make sure your baby is left in a quiet room for a good part of the day. Don’t insist on having your baby with you during noisy, brightly lit activities.

Old-Fashioned Techniques Still Work

If your baby is too worked up and frightened to sleep, start with some old-fashioned techniques to calm him down.

Swaddling. Swaddling a baby can help him stop crying and feel secure enough to fall asleep. You should not swaddle any infant who is old enough to roll over on his own.
Rocking. Some parents don’t believe in frequent rocking. If you have an overtired baby on your hands, you need to do whatever works to help your baby calm down. Gentle, brief rocking can sometimes do this.
Soothing or shushing sounds. If your baby enjoys hearing you make soothing sounds, add this to your rocking or swaddling. If you normally sing to your baby, try this too.
If your baby is more than six months old, sit with her in your arms for several minutes before putting her into her crib. You can read to her, play music, sing or just talk softly to her. Let her rest with you until she seems to be getting drowsy.
Use a swing. A baby swing can calm down a crying, fussing baby without tiring you out. It provides both gentle rocking and a warm, secure feeling.
Avoid eye contact. An overtired baby might not fall asleep if she thinks she must engage with you visually.
Hold your baby. Hold your baby gently and make soft, soothing noises to him. Some parents like to walk around the room or the house to help babies get drowsy. If you do this, make sure you stay out of areas where there’s noise or lots of activity.

other tips to help a overtired baby

Often, simply feeding a cranky, overtired baby can help him calm down. Babies calm down when they’re nursing or drinking from a bottle. Filling your baby’s tummy can help your baby feel drowsy. A pacifier also works if your baby isn’t hungry.

Give Her a Bath

Baths make many people feel relaxed and sleepy. They work on babies, too. To make bath time soothing rather than scary, turn the bathroom lights low. Make the bath quiet, slow and gentle. Use warm water and avoid splashing or playing with your baby.

Set Up a Routine

A regular bedtime routine lets your baby know that it’s time to get ready for sleep. You can set up your own involving any of the following:

- Lay out your baby’s pajamas or nightgown.
- Talk about sleep in a soothing, cheerful voice.
- Spend a few minutes holding your baby before putting him in his crib.
- Turn off lights, close curtains and shut off music at every bedtime. Make these actions part of your baby’s nightly routine.

Keep Yourself Calm

Part of keeping your overtired baby calm and happy is keeping yourself calm. That isn’t always easy. Try to ensure that the time you spend with your baby isn’t stressful. Do whatever you need to keep yourself relaxed. Don’t transfer your worries or anxieties to your baby.

It’s Hormonal

Like the rest of us, babies are governed by hormonal action. When your baby starts to feel natural drowsiness, his levels of the sleep hormone melatonin go up. This hormonal surge causes your baby to fall asleep easily.

If your baby continues to get stimulation past that point, his body will release high levels of stress hormones. Those hormones keep your baby awake and prevent sleeping. The result is an overexcited, overtired baby.

Babies who are repeatedly put into stressful situations can develop poor sleeping habits. This can have long-term effects on their mental and physical health.

What to Do

Once your baby starts showing signs of being overstimulated and ready to sleep, allow them the quiet, soothing time to do just that. Settle your baby into her crib. Get her ready for sleep with your usual bedtime routine. Doing this regularly will help your overtired baby develop a good sleep schedule.

He’s Not Sleeping Well During Naptime

If your baby frequently goes out and about with you, it can be fun for both of you. It’s also a lot of stimulation for your baby. After a while, babies can’t cope with too much noise, attention and visual stimulation. He’s going to shut down and go to sleep as an escape.

You probably think that’s great. After all, your baby is napping and getting that all-important rest. The problem is that your little one isn’t getting deep sleep. That’s why you get home to discover that he’s grumpy and exhausted even though you saw him sleeping for several hours. He never reached deep sleep during those naps.

The same can be true for babies who go to sleep in other places. Sleeping in someone else’s home or in a daycare might upset your baby’s sleep cycle.

What to Do

Sometimes, you don’t have any choice when it comes to leaving your baby with other caretakers. If you enjoy taking your baby out with you or you have no option, make sure that your time at home is quiet and filled with familiar routine.

Help Your Overtired Baby Get to Sleep

The best way to cope with an overtired baby is to avoid letting your baby get overstimulated in the first place. Your baby should have a safe, quiet place to retreat to when sleep starts calling. Incorporate regular routines into your daily life to help your baby relax.

Create a Quiet, Soothing Environment

Make sure your baby’s room is quiet, cool and dark. Your baby will sleep best in room that’s between 65 and 70 degrees in temperature.

Dark rooms make sleep easier. Use curtains that block sunlight. Avoid leaving a TV or radio on in the baby’s room. Some people find that playing white noise or gentle music can help babies fall asleep.

Conclusion: Restful Routines Help Your Baby

An overtired baby needs a calm, soothing environment and some encouragement to fall asleep. Avoid overtiring your baby by setting up regular routines, ensuring that your baby’s sleep environment is restful and avoiding over-stimulation. You and your baby will appreciate the rest.

Why Is My Newborn Fighting Sleep?

Why do some newborns fight sleep?

Newborns are essentially born to sleep. The average newborn baby will sleep a whopping 16 to 17 hours a day, a total that’s by far more than the average adult sleeps. So it’s sometimes puzzling to people who hear new parents talking about a newborn fighting sleep. I mean, how much could they be fighting sleep if they’re still sleeping 16 or 17 hours a day? And of course the new parent will roll their eyes at people who don’t understand baby basics. Newborns sleep a lot, but they are awake every 3-4 hours to feed, and they don’t sleep on a regular schedule like the adult population does. They’re on a different dimension of sleep, and it can be a war to get newborns to sleep sometimes.

Newborns fighting sleep has been a parental dilemma since newborns were created. Thankfully in this more modern age of information, we’ve got a lot of knowledge about what creates the problem and how to fix it. And if the problem can’t always be fixed, there’s a lot of good stories about how parents made it through the struggle without losing their minds. When a newborn routinely won’t sleep even when it feels like they should be sleeping, it’s time to take some action and get to the crux of the problem. Newborns can have sleep difficulties for many different reasons.

Why A Newborn Is Fighting Sleep

From birth to 3 months, your child will usually have a certain amount of time where they stay awake. This window ranges from 45-60 minutes from birth to 6 weeks and 1 to 1.5 hours for 2 and 3 month old babies. If your newborn is fighting sleep and staying awake a much noticeably longer time, there can be a few reasons for this.

Over-stimulation might be one reason your newborn is fighting sleep
Baby might be hungry
They may be sleeping too lighting and not getting into a deep sleep, causing sleep disruption
The temperature in the room can cause discomfort for a baby
Baby isn’t on a consistent sleep schedule

These are but a few of the reasons that a newborn is fighting sleep. Just like all problems that have a specific cause, the solution will depend on the problem. Your job is to figure out precisely why your newborn is fighting sleep and then solve the dilemma for them. If you know that your baby is staying awake far too long or not getting enough sleep, it’s time to kick into parenting gear and help your newborn get on a better sleep schedule. To help a newborn who is fighting sleep finally get into a peaceful slumber, it’s best to begin with a positive attitude and demeanor, thereby calming your newborn as well.

Parents understandably have difficulty maintaining calmness when it’s 3 AM, they have work at 6 AM, and baby is just not settling into a good sleep. It can be maddening. It’s good to know, then, that there are actually some techniques that might just help you avoid that “no sleep” work day. When a newborn fights sleep, they change your schedule around, too, and this can lead to even greater sleep problems for you and your newborn because a tired parent often forgets a feeding or a diaper change. If chaos has been the rule in your household since your newborn declared a war on sleep, it’s time to get to the heart of the problem and fix it.

How To Help A Newborn Fighting Sleep

Your job as a parent is to create a sleep schedule that works for your baby, but with newborns sleep schedules can be all but out the window because of the newborn’s lack of knowledge about life and sleep in general. They’re just starting out here, so it’s always so very important to make sure that you are gentle and kind with a newborn, even when they’re causing massive sleep deprivation and some very understandable anxiety in your life.

Your disposition will frequently rub off on your newborn. Even at this tender age, a baby can pick up on emotional cues from their parents and look to those same parents to guide their emotional states. Sure, they’re not consciously thinking in those thoughts or terms, but it’s a well-established principle among some experts. There’s always room for debate in this area, and it’s shocking how little we truly understand of the newborn’s emotional world, but suffice it to say that you’re a very big part of their world. They look to you for all their needs and especially for comfort. If your newborn is fighting sleep, you can try some of the following things to soothe them and make sleep more appealing.

Limit sleep to just one part of the house. Newborns thrive on routine and predictability. As we get a bit more accustomed to them, we might switch up areas of the house they sleep in so that they can be near us while they’re sleeping. A good suggestion might be to go back to just sleep confined to the crib.
Focus more on the sleep routine. Have a healthy sleep schedule in place and stick to it. Life certainly happens, and it can be easy to just wing it, but for the good of your newborn, let’s get them back on a truly dependable sleep schedule. They will very likely benefit from this, and you will, too.
Make sure that your newborn is getting enough milk. Babies need to eat regularly, and even skipping one meal can make sleep time a nightmare later on. With all of your other responsibilities, it could be you’re accidentally missing those scheduled feeding times, paving the way for your baby to wake up because he or she is hungry. Focus on the meal time schedule, too.
Get on a good diaper changing schedule. The fact is, when your baby is uncomfortable, it’s possible your newborn is fighting sleep because they need to be changed. If you stick are more diligent about changing diapers, it can really help. And of course, it’s understandable if this is one of the areas where you just wing it. A lot of parents do, and a newborn’s pooping habits don’t exactly stick to a set routine. A diaper change right before bedtime can really excite them and make it hard for them to sleep. Realize that babies don’t usually mind that wet diaper and can sleep right through it.
Avoid eye contact with your newborn before sleep. This is so hard to do for many parents because a newborn is just so darn cute. Eye contact can make a baby very excited because they enjoy eye contact with you just as much as you do with them. At sleep time, this can present a real problem and make it harder for them to go to sleep. Avoid looking at those gorgeous peepers until waking time.

You Can Win Every Battle!

Go into every instance of a newborn fighting sleep with a positive attitude. This is really hard to do at times, especially if your newborn is fighting sleep so much that it’s causing sleep deprivation for you, but with a lot of love for your little one and the idea that they will eventually fall asleep, you can prevail in this overall war, making every battle a little easier for both you and your newborn. The newborn is really a creature of habit, so when you’re creating your strategy here, think of schedule as king. When you stick to the schedule, they’re going to be more apt to be comfortable with that, and comfort spells sleep for a newborn.

Conclusion

Any new parent of a newborn is going to struggle with the sleep issue sometimes. It’s one of the most common newborn problems for parents, and it’s a maddening one. Parents have a lot to do during the day, and a baby who is fighting sleep can cause so much frustration and exhaustion for parents. Parents who have a newborn who is fighting sleep will find much relief in the form of routine, non-stimulating only activity before putting the newborn to bed, and a little bit of positivity when you can muster it. A calm parent makes for a calmer newborn. With a little practice, you can master the art of patience even in the event of extremely haywire sleep habits from newborns.

7 Best Lullabies for Baby to Sleep

Do Lullabies Help Babies Sleep?

For many people, music is one of the unsolved mysteries of our world, stimulating the human mind in ways we are still learning about. This is why so many people in recent years have begun using music as a way to treat patients dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of degenerative illness, as music can help people access memories and other aspects of their personality that they might have already lost due to the illness.

However, it’s important to note that the healing benefits of music for the elderly are only part of the greater picture. In fact, music can also be a method to helping your baby, allowing them to feel comforted and encourage their development.

What music are we referring to? Lullabies, of course! Many people use lullabies as ways to get babies to sleep, but there is much more to baby sleep lullabies than you might think.

This is why we’re here to help clarify what exactly lullabies do and give you a list of some of the most classic lullabies for you to sing to your child.

What IS a baby Lullaby?

Though you are likely familiar with the purpose of a lullaby or examples of lullabies in pop culture, do you actually know what a baby sleep lullaby means and how to define one?

A lullaby is a word typically used to refer to a type of song that is meant A) for children and B) to be soothing. These two points are the main criteria for what constitutes a lullaby, having the genre itself be a very open-ended and abstract precedent. The word itself originates from the Hebrew phrase “Lilith-Abi” (“Lilith, begone” in English), a sentiment that references trying to ward off the demon Lilith from stealing babies in the middle of the night.

From this origin, the word came to be associated with the types of songs and melodies that would be able to put a baby to sleep, giving them soothing amounts of comfort. Since the goal is to make babies feel calm enough to fall asleep, lullabies usually focus on subject content about that very struggle, singing about the baby sleeping as a way of encouraging the baby to fall asleep.

Do babies like music and lullabies?

Musically, melodies used in baby sleep lullabies are very simple. From a technical standpoint, lullabies are almost always diatonic, meaning that if you were to put the song in C major, it would only fit on the white keys of the keyboard. Because songs that are diatonic use intervals that are considered very easy and natural, it’s easy for babies to pay attention and retain the information. Even for adults diatonic songs are easier to understand, being the main impetus for many commercial jingles and other songs that need to be catchy and capture one’s attention as quick as possible.

If a certain melody was to introduce too much dissonance or notes outside of the diatonic scale, a baby might lose interest and stop paying attention. This is because the baby’s mind can only pay attention to melodies of certain complexity. If the baby stops paying attention, you run the risk of not getting them to fall asleep due to their distraction keeping their brain active and subsequently not tired.

The 7 Most Famous Baby Sleep Lullabies

Like with many different types of music, the baby sleep lullabies that have stood the test of time and remained popular throughout the years are also the ones that have the most significant effects on children.

We’ve made a list of some of the most iconic baby sleep lullabies that are not only incredibly helpful for your baby to fall asleep to, but also to help them develop their way of communicating!

“Rock a Bye Baby”
“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
“The Alphabet Song”
“All of Me”
“Hush Little Baby”
“Frere Jacques”
“You Are My Sunshine”

What you should know about these lullabies:

Another important thing to note about baby sleep lullabies is that the lyrics often revolve around a comforting, but relentless image. A good example of this is the famous baby sleep lullaby “Rock a Bye Baby”. Throughout the song, the narrator is reassuring the baby that (no matter what happens) they will always be there for the baby, helping their cradle to rock gently.

However, an important part of this song lyrically is that there are so many different verses that it’s possible to continue singing the song for very long periods of time if you have to. This large amount of verses causes a repetitive effect that allows the baby’s mind to be stimulated in a similar way to other sleeping methods that adults might be used to.

For example, have you ever tried to count sheep at night to fall asleep? If you have, you’ve employed similar methods to classic baby sleep lullabies, using repetition as a way of meditation. By focusing on one thing at a time, the mind is able to calm down, re-focus and eventually find enough peace to sleep soundly.

The Rhythm of Baby Sleep Lullabies

The most important part of why baby sleep lullabies are so successful is that they have very specific rhythms that allow them to be matched perfectly with a rocking motion. This is typically represented by certain lullabies being in 3/4 or 6/8 time, both options being time signatures that are paired quite well with a rocking motion. This is how baby sleep lullabies have become incredibly intertwined with the act of rocking, with many of the lyrics also referencing the motion (i.e. the aforementioned famous “Rock a Bye Baby”).

The rhythm of baby sleep lullabies is reportedly the most important part of getting a baby to actually fall asleep, as the involved rocking motions make the baby feel comforted and reassured. The repetitive nature of rocking also stimulates the minds of the babies in a similar way to the lyrics of lullabies, allowing them to feel calm and tired through stimulation. Rocking a baby also gives them the warmth and security that comes with being swaddled or hugged by their caretaker, making the action all the more comforting.

This is why baby sleep lullabies can be so effective, as they continually engage multiple aspects of a baby’s senses so they’re able to fall asleep much quicker than they might on their own.

Baby Sleep Lullabies During Pregnancy

Baby sleep lullabies are wonderful, but you don’t have to wait until your baby is actually born for you to introduce them to the concept! To make sure your baby is familiar with soothing music as a means of relaxation from early on, you should play relaxing music for your baby in late stages of pregnancy. This can be anything from traditional lullabies to relaxing ambient music, so feel free to adjust our recommendations to your specific taste in music!

It’s also recommended that you play soothing music or lullabies for your baby up until three months after they are born, giving them plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the soothing sounds. It’s also said that singing lullabies to your baby during the late stages of pregnancy can be another great way of calming them, as they will become more interested in and acquainted with their caretaker’s voice from early on.

Babies Grow From Interaction

Another benefit of baby sleep lullabies is that the constant exchange of singing to your baby in a way that is simple enough for them to grasp actually encourages them to grow their own understanding of communication. This is why you might notice that your baby starts to babble in response to your singing—they’re trying to tell you something!

Conclusion

Singing lullabies to your baby can be one of the most effective ways of getting them to go to sleep each night. However, there are also many other benefits possible that also help encourage your baby’s overall development and growth. This is why we believe they are an incredibly important activity that every parent should engage in with their child. We hope this blog post has been helpful for you understanding the many different benefits of lullabies and how they can affect a baby’s overall growth!

How to Put a Baby to Sleep: 10 Tricks

How to Put a Baby to Sleep

One of the most exhausting parts of becoming a new parent is the lack of sleep that generally comes with having a newborn. While those first few weeks and months may be overwhelming and leave you feeling out of control, the sooner you can get into a bedtime routine when you put a baby to sleep, the sooner that baby will develop good nighttime habits that benefit both her and her parents. Start with these tips for a good night’s sleep for both of you:

1. Create a Soothing Environment

Think about how much better you sleep when the conditions in your bedroom are just right. With this in mind, you want to put a baby to sleep in a nursery that is soothing and comfortable. Before you start your new bedtime routine, follow this checklist to ensure your nursery is a place that promotes sleeping:

Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature — not too hot and not too cold.
Some babies sleep better with a little background noise, so consider adding a white noise machine, radio, or fan.
The room doesn’t have to be completely dark, but any bright lights should be dimmed. You may consider adding a small nightlight.
Your baby should have a new high-quality mattress that is firm yet comfortable in her crib.
Make sure the mattress is covered with a clean fitted sheet. You shouldn’t put a baby to sleep with a blanket or other bedding until after the first year.
Don’t add any toys or stuffed animals to the crib. It’s not only a safety hazard, but it can distract your baby.

2. Don’t Rock Your Baby to Sleep

It’s temping to snuggle up with your little one in a rocking chair before bed, and while that’s fine, you should never put a baby to sleep while she is still outside of the bed. You can rock her until she’s drowsy, but make sure she’s actually in the crib when she falls asleep. Otherwise, she’ll come to expect you to rock her every night. If she does accidentally fall asleep while rocking, playing, or riding in a stroller, place her in her crib immediately.

3. Consider a Nighttime Bath

Need a little extra help soothing your baby at night? Consider a bath just before bedtime. The water and the touch that comes along with bathing is soothing enough to help your baby wind down at the end of the day. Some say using chamomile or lavender bath products can help calm your little one even more during bath time.

4. Make Sure She is Comfortable

After that bath, make sure you dress her in comfortable clothing. Never put a baby to sleep in anything that is too tight or too lose. You’ll also want to consider the temperature in the nursery. Babies who get overheated at night don’t sleep well, and more importantly, they are at a greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

5. Don’t Get a Late Start

Some parents assume that they shouldn’t put a baby to sleep unless she is exhausted, and this couldn’t be further from the truth. Unfortunately, this idea leads to behaviors such as staying up too late, being more active at night, and waiting until the baby is overly cranky for bedtime. All of these can make it nearly impossible to put a baby to sleep without a fight. Instead, provide your baby with a full and active day, and stick to a daily and nightly routine for good sleep results.

6. Never Go to Bed Hungry

If you’ve ever awoken in the night to a growling stomach, you know just how painful and miserable it can be to go to bed hungry. This feeling applies to infants too. Never put a baby to sleep without feeding her first. A warm bottle or time spent breastfeeding can easily be a part of your soothing nighttime routine. However, don’t let your baby fall asleep while she’s eating. Just like rocking her to sleep, she’ll come to expect it each night and won’t be able to fall asleep without it.

7. Create a Bedtime Ritual

Baths, bottles, a story, a quiet activity — whatever you choose to do to help your little one wind down at night, keep it up. Use the same words and phrases while you do it. This provides clues to your baby that it’s time for bed. Eventually, she’ll come to associate certain activities with going to bed, and that may help her fall asleep and stay asleep easily.

8. Avoid Too Much Excitement at Night

Just don’t get too excited during that bedtime ritual. Keep your voice lowered, avoid noisy toys, and again, dim the lights. During your last few waking moments together before you put a baby to sleep, read a story or listen to quiet music instead. it’s also best to avoid eye contact when holding your little one just before bedtime. When you look into each other’s eyes, your baby may feel persuaded to stay awake to play and spend more time with you. Nighttime should always be calm and peaceful — you may even find that you sleep better when you create this type of environment in your home.

9. What to Do If She Cries

You’ve followed all of the tips so far, but no matter what you do, your baby still cries when you put her into her crib. Start by leaving the room. Give her a few minutes to clam down. Much of the time, you’ll find that when you put a baby to sleep, she’ll cry for a minute and then drift off into dreamland. If she is still crying after three to four minutes, step back into the nursery and console her without holding her. Rub her stomach (you should always put a baby to sleep on her back to help prevent SIDS). Make soothing sounds. Allow her to see you standing there. Stick around for a few minutes and then leave again. Try it a few more times if necessary.

10. Be Consistent and Realistic

No matter what routine you create to put a baby to sleep, the key is to be consistent and don’t expect magic to happen on the first or even the second night. While babies are quick to learn routines, it may still take a few days or weeks to get there. And if your baby is under three months old, remember that the need to eat frequently will prevent her from sleeping through the night. The best thing you can do it keep up that routine until it works and be willing to make any necessary adjustments along the way.

Conclusion

If you’re conflicted about what type of routine to create, think about what you like when you go to bed. A calm environment, comfortable clothing, a full stomach, quiet time, a few minutes spent reading or listening to music, and a good mood are all usually a part of that. At the end of the day, your baby is just a smaller version of you who appreciates the same conditions. Learning what they are can set you both up for a lifetime of healthy sleeping patterns.

How to Get Newborn to Sleep Without Being Held

When your newborn arrives home with you one of the problems many parents face is making sure their baby starts their life sleeping in the correct way. One of the major problems you may face is getting your newborn to sleep without being held. Most sleep experts now agree the major mistakes a new parent makes when arriving home with their newborn is the failure to establish a routine based around getting an infant to sleep.

You can often find yourself struggling under the problem of helping your newborn to sleep without being held. A regular pattern of the same actions taking place after every feed to help your infant to sleep in a crib can be established with a few easy steps.

Recognizing the signs of sleepiness

When you arrive home with your newborn one of the first things you want to do is spend time enjoying the company of your baby. The problem you will face is the issue of your baby sleeping the majority of the day over the first few weeks of life. From birth through to being six weeks old, your newborn will generally sleep between 16 and 20 hours per day, often only waking to feed.

Feeding should not be a time for sleep

In the early days of life, getting your newborn to sleep without being held can be difficult as they often fall asleep while being breast or bottle fed. The first step to avoiding the mistake of starting life without wanting to sleep while being held is to make sure you recognize the early signs of drowsiness. This is often described as the first stage of sleep and in a newborn is seen as yawning and droopy eyelids. Even if your newborn is wanting to stay awake, they may struggle to do so when they are first born.

Once you have recognized your baby is starting to feel sleepy, you should stop the feed as this is usually a sign they have eaten enough and are preparing to return to sleep. If your newborn is expected to return to sleep relatively quickly it is vital you do not decide to simply rock your baby to sleep in your arms after every feed. This will not help you in the future when you hope to get your newborn to sleep without being held. Over the course of the first few weeks of life, your newborn will begin to the routine which will form the basis of life in the first few years.

The majority of experts do not recommend allowing your newborn to fall asleep when feeding as this can be a choking hazard and cause problems for your child. Helping your newborn to sleep without being held should begin in the first few weeks of life when routines are easily established.

Creating a sleep routine

It is not always easy to get your newborn to sleep without being held, but it is possible to do so for most parents like yourself. The most simple way of helping your newborn to sleep without being held is to create a routine with the same actions taking place before your baby returns to sleep after every feed. The common routine your baby can follow to help your newborn to sleep without being held can include:

Feeding
Changing the diaper
Holding your newborn until they become sleepy
Placing your baby on their back in a crib

Your newborn is learning all the time

Most experts agree that the first few years of life are important in forming the routine for the life of your infant. If in the first few days of life, your newborn becomes used to you holding them in your arms as they fall asleep, this will be the action they come to expect in the coming months. Just think, your newborn will sleep between 16 and 20 hours per day, according to some experts over the first six weeks of their life. From six weeks to four months they will sleep an average of between 15 and 16 hours per day. By allowing your newborn to get used to sleeping in your arms you are committing to spending the majority of your time holding your infant as they sleep.

A newborn is a light sleeper

You should remember your need to help your newborn to sleep without being held has practical reasons behind it. Your newborn often spends the majority of their time asleep in what is known as the Rapid Eye Movement, REM, stage of sleep. This is the lightest stage of sleep and is often marked by the ability of your child to wake with ease at the slightest sound of movement. Experts often argue a parent who does not allow their newborn to sleep without being held may struggle to place them in their bed without waking or disturbing their latest sleep cycle. If your baby wakes during a sleep cycle and is struggling to return to sleep, they will often struggle to return to sleep without being held in your arms.

The difference between night and day

One major part of teaching your child to sleep at the correct times of the night and day can be found in marking the difference between night and day. You may be trying to help your newborn to fall asleep without being held and not considering the issue of when you wish to sleep for the majority of your night. Most experts believe your newborn should be looking to sleep through the night by the time they reach between four and six months of age.

The question you are now facing is how to get your newborn to sleep without being held while beginning to understand the difference between night and day. Many experts believe the best way of doing this is to use different forms of lighting for your newborn in their bedroom to mark the difference between night and day. Firstly, the initial step should be to allow natural light to flood into your newborn’s bedroom during the daytime hours. It is also important to allow some light to enter your newborn infant’s room during the nighttime hours but to ensure this is lower than the lighting in the day to encourage sleep.

A pacifier is an option

One of the most important questions a new parent asks is whether they should use a pacifier to help their newborn sleep on their own. If you are looking to help your newborn to sleep without being held you can look to use a pacifier in an attempt to aid sleep. The use of a pacifier should never be forced onto the child with it being offered instead of pushed into the mouth of the infant. among the benefits of using a pacifier is the reduction in the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which has been proven among infants who use a pacifier on a regular basis.

How to Get a Baby to Sleep Through the Night

How to Make a Baby Sleep Through the Night

There is nothing sweeter than watching your baby sleep. While most newborns wake up every few hours to eat, you should see your baby start to sleep through the night once they begin to eat more at each feeding. Yet, some babies just seem to be born to be night owls, and this can leave you feeling exhausted throughout the day. When you just can’t figure out how to get baby to sleep through the night, you can use these tips to find the perfect solution.

Develop a Routine

One of the first things that you learn is a new parent is that kids thrive on routines, and you can use a routine to send signals to your newborn that it is time to sleep. Your baby’s routine may look different from someone else’s. It may also take some trial and error to find what works for your baby. While some babies get sleepy after a bath, others get energetic. Be willing to experiment with your baby’s routine until you find the perfect series of steps to follow.

Once you find the magical formula, be sure to share it with your child’s other parent and caregivers such as grandparents. This way, they can use it to figure out how to get baby to sleep through the night. Keeping things consistent also helps your baby to continue to respond to your signals that they need to rest.

Include One of These Activities In Your Baby’s Routine

The final event in your baby’s routine should be one that is calm and leaves them feeling soothed and loved. Here are a few options that you can try, but remember to only pick one or two so that you don’t cause your baby to get overstimulated.

listening to a lullaby
enjoying a bath
getting a baby massage from you
looking at a picture book

Create a Soothing Sleep Environment

Setting up the nursery is always exciting, and you can find curtains and bedding to fit just about any theme. While butterflies and jungle animals are pretty adorable, you also want to avoid going overboard and making the room to stimulating. Stick to soothing colors in pastel or lighter shades. You will also want to make sure that your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature and shielded from outside lights that could cause them to wake up.

Add These Items to the Nursery

As you set up the nursery, consider adding these features that can help you figure out how to get baby to sleep through the night.

white noise machine
small radio or music player
rocking chair or glider
light-blocking curtains

Try Swaddling

Most newborns enjoy being swaddled, and this is one trick for how to get baby to sleep through the night that you might even learn in the hospital before you come home. There is something about being tightly wrapped up in a blanket that makes them feel secure as though they are still in the womb. If your baby likes swaddling, you can use special sleepers that help keep them in that position. Once they get older, you can use blanket sleepers to give them a similar sensation of being snuggled close.

Lay Them Down While They Are Awake

Knowing how to get baby to sleep through the night also involves being aware of the perfect moment to lay them down in their bed. Although you may want to keep cuddling with your baby until they fall asleep on your chest, this often creates problems when you try to lay them down. Once your baby falls asleep, any changes in their environment can wake them up. Instead, try waiting until your baby is just starting to get sleepy. Then, lay them down in their crib, turn off the lights and go in another room. In most cases, your baby may move around for a few minutes, but they’ll quickly succumb to the fatigue and fall asleep.

Avoid Tiptoeing Around

While you want to create a soothing sleep environment, you also want to avoid letting your baby think that they must have complete silence to sleep. In most instances, your baby should have a fairly routine bedtime that occurs before yours. This means that you may need to spend an hour or two after they go to bed doing things such as chores around the house. You may also want to talk to your partner or watch a show on television. For this reason, you want to live out your normal routine after your baby falls asleep from the moment that you bring them home. You will still need to avoid making loud random noises that might startle your baby, but you should also be able to walk around and talk normally.

Take Note of What Wakes Them Up

In the first few weeks, your baby will naturally wake up for feedings or to have their diaper changed. However, you may start to notice them waking up for other reasons as they get older. When your baby cries during the night, try to take note of what caused their sleep to be disrupted. For instance, your baby may wake up to a neighbor’s dog barking, and you can solve this by playing the white noise machine. Alternatively, your baby may get hot and sweaty as they sleep. What that’s the case, you can adjust the thermostat or dress your baby in lighter clothing for bedtime.

Teach Them to Self-Soothe

Putting your baby to bed before they fall asleep is one way to help them learn how to self-soothe. Depending upon your baby’s age, you can also give them things such as a pacifier as another way to figure out how to get baby to sleep through the night. Keep in mind, however, that some babies wake up if the pacifier falls out of their mouth, so you will have to watch to see if this could be why they are waking up.

Avoid Rushing In

When you are first learning how to get baby to sleep through the night, you may struggle with overcoming the instinct to rush immediately to their cries. Many babies cry briefly in the middle of the night for normal reasons such as having a bad dream or feeling slightly uncomfortable. When your baby cries, wait just a minute or two to see if they stop. Often, your baby will start to self soothe so that they don’t wake all the way up. If you share parenting duties with a partner, then make sure that they also know this simple trick to learn how to get baby to sleep through the night.

Make Bed Checks Boring

When your baby cries for long enough to be a concern, you will need to check on them. This helps your baby learn that they are secure during the night because you are always close by. During these late night visits to your baby’s room, remember the basic strategies for determining how to get baby to sleep through the night such as keeping things very calm. Whether your baby needs a diaper change or a feeding, try to keep the lights dim. A nightlight works well for this purpose. You will also want to use a quieter voice than normal such as a whisper as you speak to your newborn. After you complete the mission, try to resist the urge to rock them back to sleep. Just place them back in their bed like you do at the beginning of the evening.

Be Prepared for Things to Change

You will also need to remember that knowing how to get baby to sleep through the night is a only the beginning. As your baby matures, they will experience new things that affect their sleep patterns. Teething, a renewed appetite and being sick can all change how to get baby to sleep through the night. When this happens, keep your basic essentials such as a routine, but try adding a new strategy or two such as giving your baby a gum massage to ease their teething pain. Over time, your baby will adjust to the changes and start sleeping through the night again.

Conclusion

There is no single formula for figuring out how to get baby to sleep through the night since all babies are different. Yet, you don’t have to suffer with sleeplessness for long when you know the right tricks for helping your baby to feel secure and calm. As you get started with your baby’s care routine, try out a few of these tips and watch as you both enjoy more restful sleep.

How to Get a Baby to Sleep: Instructions

How to Get a Baby to Sleep

There are so many joys that come with a new baby. That first smile, the first giggle, the joy of the endless cuddles. However, with parenthood, there are a few things that new parents wish they had a handbook to give all the tips and secrets to caring for a baby. One of those things is how to get a baby to sleep. Many parents are faced with the loss of sleep because their baby is having trouble sleeping themselves. There are many reasons a baby may have difficulty falling, and staying asleep. However, with this guide, parents can rest easy by trying these tips on how to get a baby to sleep.

Starting and Keeping a Routine

From the first days home, it is important to start a bedtime, or naptime, routine with your baby. This can consist of many things, such as getting a warm bath, having a bottle, reading a story, singing songs, and wearing comfortable pajamas. Finding this routine is something only you and your baby can do together. Having different cues from the environment is what will give your baby the idea that it is time to go to sleep. The routine you establish should be consistent in order for your baby to become familiar with it. It is important to remember that if it doesn’t seem to work at first, keep trying. When learning how to get a baby to sleep, parents are often faced with finding the right routine.

Don’t Feed to Go To Sleep

Having a full tummy is essential to get a baby to sleep, but feeding should not be associated with going to sleep. The problem begins when the baby wakes up at night and the only way to fall asleep is by feeding. Additionally, for breastfeeding moms, it can become a problem when only mom can get baby to sleep. Of course, newborns fall asleep all the time while feeding, but by age 4-5 months, babies should not be stuck in this habit. If this is still the case, it is best to begin the bed/nap time routine earlier. Feed your baby earlier and then go through the rest of the routine, whether it be a book or song. When you tuck your baby in for the night, he should be awake, but drowsy.

Keep An Early Bedtime

Babies should stay consistent with their bedtime. In the winter this can be a much easier task, since the sun sets earlier. However, in the summer it can be harder because the sun doesn’t set until much later. Picking a bedtime and keeping it the same is very important when it comes to being able to get a baby to sleep. Bedtime should not be too late, as this can cause baby to be overstimulated, making it much more difficult to get a baby to sleep. Picking a time, such as 7:30, can keep the baby on a routine. The time may differ depending on your baby’s needs,but should not be much later. You can tell when a baby is tired by his calm mood. Rather than being active, he may appear to be bored. During the summer when sunset is later, make sure to put the baby asleep in a darkened room with the shades down. This will help with keeping the bedtime routine consistent.

Keep Napping Set To Guidelines

The younger a baby is, the more he needs to nap. As tempting as it might be, you need to let your little one take naps in their bed. This allows them to get used to their crib and sets the routine that this is rest time. Of course, sometimes cuddling with baby at nap time is great for bonding. But, the more you can get them used to the crib, the easier it will be to get a baby to sleep at bed time. This will also allow you time for yourself to either get rest or take on household chores. Naps should be set for the same time each day, such as one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Also, they should be roughly 1-2 hours long to ensure they got enough rest, but not too much that it will effect when you get baby to sleep at bedtime.

Swaddle

One method that seems to never fail when it comes time to get a baby to sleep is swaddling. Babies feel safe and comfortable when they are swaddled, as they feel like they are back in the womb. Swaddling is the method of wrapping a baby up in a blanket so movement is limited. There are many tutorials to show how to properly swaddle a baby and many products on the market to make it much easier to do. It is important to remember that before swaddling a baby, make sure they have a clean diaper. This will make things much easier later on and prevent waking in the middle of the night.

White Noise and Lullabies

If it becomes difficult to get a baby to sleep, consider playing soft lullabies or white noise. White noise has been shown to help get babies to sleep as it blocks out other noises around the house and tends to be soothing. Or, playing soft lullabies that come from a mobile or stuffed animal can help soothe baby to sleep. The best way to decide what to use is playing to your baby’s cues. They will show you what is working and what isn’t.

Active Playtime

By keeping babies active during playtime, they will be more ready to sleep at bedtime. During playtime, keep them stimulated through a variety of activities, such as talking to her, including her in your daily activities, singing, reading, and even independent play with toys. This will make getting baby to sleep much easier as they will be more tired. As mentioned before, be sure not keep them active right before bedtime, since this will make the task of being able get a baby to sleep that much harder.

When Baby Wakes Up…

Even after successfully doing these tips to get a baby to sleep, they might wake up and have trouble getting back to sleep. When you hear baby cry, try to give her a few minutes to see if she can fall back asleep on her own. If not, quietly go to her to determine if anything is wrong. Perhaps she is uncomfortable from a full diaper or needs to be swaddled again. When fixing these problems, try no to make too much of a distraction. Keep the lights at a minimum, as well as the noise. Once baby is comfortable again, try to get her back to sleep without picking her up. If all else fails, meet her needs and do what has gotten her to sleep in the past.

Be Prepared For Sleep Changes

At various points in a babies development, their sleep patterns may change. This might result in a more difficult time when it comes time to get a baby to sleep and more waking up during the night. This happens during developmental milestones and major changes that might occur in the babies life, such as moving or a new family member. It is very important to continue to stick to the routine and not make any changes. If after a few days there still seems to be a problem, it may be time to add something new to the routine, such as a night light or white noise.

How to Convert Crib to Toddler Bed: Step-By-Step Instructions

How to Convert from Crib to Toddler Bed

Transition Time: Converting from Crib to Toddler Bed

Babies grow up faster than you think. They’re learning to crawl one minute, and the next minute, they’re bolting out of their cribs like Olympic gymnasts. The time comes when you have to rethink the whole crib sleeping arrangement.

Instead of spending more money on buying a completely new bed, it is possible to covert crib to toddler bed. This way, your wallet and your growing child will thank you.

How to Know it’s Time for the Toddler Bed

With your end goal being to convert crib to toddler bed, the first thing in mind is deciding on when the time is right.

This timing will vary based on individual toddlers. Some parents may say it’s best to convert once your child gets the hang of climbing out of the crib. Others focus on their child’s size, converting when they look like they could use a bit more space and flexibility to get in and out on their own.

Only you can ever know the appropriate transition time for your toddler, but the tidbits above should at least give you some guidance so you know what to be on the lookout for.

Convert Crib to Toddler Bed: Convertible Crib

These days, many cribs are made in a convertible style. Some are two-in-one or even three-in-one, allowing you to take the bed up to youth sizes.

Below is a detailed breakdown that should help you convert crib to toddler bed with next to no hassle.

What You’ll Need

L-Bracket
Screwdriver

Step 1: Choose a Guardrail

Many convertible cribs already come with the tools needed to convert them. This includes a toddler bed rail. If yours did not come with one, it’s simple enough to purchase it online or in the store.

Make sure the guardrail is sized appropriately. It shouldn’t hinder your child’s access or exit from the bed. You can find a universal toddler guardrail kit since they are specifically designed to fit most mainstream cribs with no problems.

Step 2: Clear Out the Crib

Everything from the crib must go. If you can’t remove the mattress without removing the dropside, proceed to the next step first and then clear the crib out.

Step 3: Remove the Dropside

To convert crib to toddler bed, you will have to remove the dropside. If you aren’t aware, the dropside is the side of your child’s crib that hangs lower than the other side. The toddler guardrail is intended to replace that.

With some cribs, this process is simple as the dropside slides off. However, other models require tools. It’s still easy as you just need to remove screws from either side using a screwdriver, electric or manual.

When you want to convert crib to toddler bed, you might want to give your kid access to the bed from both sides. If this is the case, follow the instructions on removing the dropside and carry on.

Step 4: Install the Guardrail

Before proceeding, check that you have the right hardware. Your guardrail should have come with the necessary brackets to mount. If they didn’t, be sure to purchase the required hardware.

To install, take one L-bracket and screw it on the inside of each of the rail posts. A manual screwdriver will do the trick here.

Ensure that the foot of the bracket is flush with the post while the vertical part of the bracket is lined up with the center of the post.

Attach the Guardrail

Once the L-brackets are installed, position the guardrail on the bed. The end posts and brackets should line up on two different slats on the crib.

How much room your child has depends on the rail. Generally, rails are somewhere in the middle. To convert crib to toddler bed in this case, make sure there’s enough room for your child to get in and out. About 8-9in. space from the rail to the headboard and the rail to the footboard is enough.

Other rails are designed to attach in line with the footboard or headboard. There’s little difference beyond cosmetic.

When you convert crib to toddler bed, two screws should be used with each bracket when you attach the rail. When everything is screwed on, attempt to move the rail around.

Some models do have a tiny bit of wiggle to it, and that is normal. However, an obvious wobble means that the rail is not attached tight enough. If this is the case, go back and check all of your screws to make sure everything is as it should be.

If the rail still wobbles after screwing everything in tight, then perhaps the guardrail is not appropriate for the crib. You may need to opt for a different model.

If you want to install a guardrail on both sides of the crib, then follow the previous instructions on the opposite side. For those of you that just want to remove the other side without giving your kid access to it, move the bed against the wall to keep them from falling out.

Step 5: Remake the Bed

Now that the rail (or rails if you want both sides done) is installed, simply re-make your child’s bed. Your budding toddler now has an appropriate, safe bed to sleep in and jump out to explore all they want.

Convert Crib to Toddler Bed: Stationary Crib

Interested in doing a DIY project for your newfound toddler? If you have a stationary crib and wish to still make use of it, then DIY is your best bet.

Much of the same principles of converting a convertible crib to a toddler bed still apply, but you’ll have to take things a step further.

What You’ll Need:

L-Bracket (optional)
Paint (optional)
Router (optional)
Sand Paper (optional)
Saw
Screws (optional)
Screwdriver
Wood (optional)
Wood Glue (optional)

Step 1: Find the Space

When you convert crib to toddler bed this way, it isn’t as quick as unscrewing the necessary screws. There is sawing that will take place, so it might be best to do this far away from your baby’s room such as the garage or somewhere else outdoors.

Step 2: Clear the Crib

Of course, before you do anything, take out everything from the crib. That way, everything you need to saw or unscrew is clear.

Step 3: Adjust the Height

For the average bed, use a screwdriver (electric may be faster) to adjust the sides and base to their lowest point.

If you want to fancy things up, you can convert crib to toddler bed loft-style. You’ll move the base and sides to their highest point instead. If you do this, you’ll need a ladder for your child.

Step 4: Remove the Side

Cut out one of the long sides of the crib. You can trim it, but you’ll have to work carefully so you won’t cut something you’ll need.

It might be easier to remove the entire side of the crib if possible before trimming. This way, you won’t risk any damage to the crib. When trimming, the new edge should remain flush with the vertical slats.

Place the new trimmed side back on the crib, checking its sturdiness. You can also install an L-bracket to the edge of the rail. This ensures your little one won’t break it no matter the amount of pressure they put.

To convert crib to toddler bed the usual way, your job is finished at this point. If you’re opting for the loft-style, then head to the next step.

Step 5: Create the Ladder

Take the leftover wood from the railing and trim down the slats large enough for your toddler to step on as they’ll be the rungs. From there, gather two pieces of sturdy wood such as pallet wood.

The length you’ll cut depends on the height of the crib, so take your measurements from there. Cut at an angle, preferably 45-degrees, so the bottom edge is flush with the floor. Create grooves the size of the rungs in the ladder with the router. Wood glue will secure it all. If not, add some screws.

Cut a notch at the top of the ladder to fit it on the side of the bed and secure that with screws and wood glue. Always test the ladder to make sure it won’t move around.

Step 6: Sand and Paint

You can sand and apply a fresh coat of paint to help the pieces blend together better.

Step 7: Remake the Bed

Now that all is said and done, you can finally make the bed and show off your creation to your overjoyed toddler.

Final Thoughts

Babies are growing up fast these days. If you want to keep up with them, give them the first taste of true independence by setting up a toddler bed. It’s far easier and budget-friendly to convert crib to toddler bed than buy a new one. Hopefully, our guide will set you on the right path.

How Much Sleep Does a Toddler Need?

Toddler Sleep Patterns

Because a newborn sleeps 16-17 hours a day, it can be a shock when your child reaches one year of age and enters the toddler stage. According to some people, the toddler stage goes all the way up to age 3 and leaves parents sometimes baffled about the sleeping habits of their toddlers. This isn’t the adorable little being that you snuggled in your arms during the first few months of life. Believe it or not, that’s a great thing. Your toddler’s sleep habits may be baffling at times, but they’re also a sign that they’re developing the way they should. The amount of sleep they need will be less than a newborn, but they still need a great deal of sleep. If you’re a parent asking yourself how much sleep toddlers need because you’re at wit’s end with a toddler who won’t sleep, you’ve found the right information.

Every toddler is different, but on average, how much sleep toddlers need is a solid 12 hours a night. That’s significantly less than they needed as a newborn in the beginning year of life, but it’s also much more than the average adult needs (7-9 hours in most phases of adulthood). What needs to change in the toddler stage is exactly when children sleep. Your goal as a parent is to have a toddler who sleeps all night long, with an early bedtime and early waking time. Most parents who have toddlers or remember this phase of life will laugh at the daydream of a toddler who always sleeps the whole night through.

How much sleep toddlers need may also depend on their own individual developing brains. Just like some adults seem to need less sleep, some toddlers may not be hardwired to sleep enough and others may be predispositioned to less sleep than the traditional 12 hours. As a general rule, 12 hours a night of sleep is your goal with toddlers, but as they grow older into the toddler phase, you may experience some speed bumps along the way.

Toddler Sleep Issues

If your toddler seems to resist bedtime, they’re in a very large club of toddlers who simply don’t like to shut their brains down for the night. You may notice some difficulties with your toddler’s sleep that include:

Waking up in the middle of the night and crawling in your bed
Crying at bedtime because they don’t want to go to sleep
Temper tantrums and challenging your bedtime rules
Some toddlers may even throw things or scream out at you because they don’t want to go to sleep

These bedtime dilemmas have been experienced by parents the world over, and all of these things can challenge a peaceful bedtime routine. Despite all of this unpleasantness, how much sleep toddlers need remains the same, and it’s going to be up to you to as the parent to follow the basic rules of how much sleep toddlers need. If your toddler isn’t sleeping regularly through the night, leaving a gaping hole in your own sleep schedule, it might be time to take some action.

Sleep Training For Toddlers

Some experts recommend sleep training for certain cases of toddler bedtime turmoil. If your toddler is waking up in the middle of the night and crawling in your bed with you, it is possible that sleep training could help. Usually sleep training starts at about 6 months of age, but it can sometimes be effective with toddlers as well. Experts believe that this behavioral technique for sleep disturbances among toddlers help to literally train the child to sleep through the night. It might take some patience and work, but it can happen for you.

recommended toddler sleep schedule

A gentle, soothing bedtime routine, about 30 minutes before you want them to attempt sleep, helps to ease the toddler into the sleeping routine. When should toddlers go to sleep? Well, how much sleep toddlers need figure into this. Since they need 12 hours, some of it will depend on what time they need to be up in the morning. Most of the time, bedtime should be between 6 PM and 8 PM. Parents can tweak this schedule depending on what their own schedule demands are.

The before bedtime routine can be something that gently relaxes your child. It might be reading them a story. It could be a bath. Anything that might relax your toddler is a great idea. You’ll find that with some experimentation, that bedtime routine will leave you and your toddler feeling closer together and perhaps it will even work (nothing is guaranteed with every single session of sleep training). Just do your best and know that your toddler is probably doing the best they can to, given their excitable natures.

Finally, you have to confront the real problem: the toddler refusing to sleep the whole night through. They may be getting up and wandering around the house, throwing a tantrum at bedtime, or insisting on sleeping with you in your bed. It’s time to nix those behaviors, and this is the really challenging part because you have to truly stand up to a toddler and let them know what the rules are. That can be like breaking your own heart for a little while. Their screaming and crying is obviously going to be upsetting, but you’ve made the rules. Consistency and sticking to those rules will increase the chances that sleep training will work. If you’re lucky, by the end of your hard work, how much sleep toddlers need on average will match what your precious toddler is getting per 24 hour period.

How Much Sleep Toddlers Need?

If you came here looking for a base number for how much sleep toddlers need, it’s 12 hours, but every parent know that this isn’t always going to happen, even with the most sleep-cooperative little one. There will be times when your toddler is too excited to sleep, other times when they might have a nightmare, and still other times when your schedule might interfere with your toddler’s sleep schedule. All of these things affect how much sleep your toddler gets, but it will never change how much sleep your toddler needs. If you know your toddler is missing a bit of sleep, it might be time to let them catch up.

It’s also worthwhile to note that toddlers need one-two naps per day. Day time sleeping is okay for toddlers, and some adults don’t know this because they believe it might interfere with nighttime sleep. In reality, how much sleep toddlers need still outdoes how much sleep adults need, so those day time naps are must if you want to keep your toddler functioning at top capacity and as sweet as they can be. Lack of sleep for a toddler can cause all kinds of behavioral difficulties, including irritability, and any parent knows that with all the other ups and downs of life with a toddler, lack of sleep is not what you want to deal with.

Conclusion

Now that you know how much sleep toddlers need, and a particular method of addressing sleep problems, it’s time to put that information to good use. If you have a toddler who is picky about sleep and simply throws a fit every time it’s bedtime, sleep training can help. Be aware there are other methods to try as well, and there are a lot of different bedtime routines you can try within the method of sleep training. Remember that your toddler is just like you. They’re a unique human being who will respond to some things and not to others, especially when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. How much sleep toddlers need is important knowledge to have in your parental toolbox. Good luck putting it to use!

How Much Should a Newborn Sleep?

Is your newborn baby sleeping too much?

One of the most common questions new parents ask is how much a newborn should sleep? This question is often asked alongside other common thoughts, such as “is my newborn eating enough?” The answer in the majority of cases is yes, but the sheer number of hours a newborn sleeps can raise questions for every parent no matter how many children they already have. When you have a baby, your entire outlook at life and the love felt for your child will often leave you questioning whether everything is perfect for your newborn infant.

How much should your baby sleep?

Let’s start at the beginning. Your newborn will be born and spend the next few weeks growing at a fast rate aided by regular feeds and more sleep than you could probably imagine then needing. A baby is usually classed as a newborn from birth until they are six weeks old when they should see a little less sleep needed. So how much a newborn should sleep is not an exact science with each infant sleeping as much as they need. However, we can look at the average and give you a guide to how much a newborn should sleep in general.

A newborn will generally sleep for between 16 and 20 hours a day only waking to eat at regular intervals. You may worry about your newborn sleeping too much but the general rule of thumb regarding sleep is your baby will sleep happily and mostly extremely lightly over the course of most days. How much a newborn should sleep is a question you can answer with the statement, pretty much all the time. A newborn will usually sleep longer than an infant which is a little older and begins to become more active. The average amount of sleep needed includes:

Newborn 16-20 hours
Six weeks 15-16 hours
Four months 9-12 hours plus naps
Six months 11 hours plus naps

Sleep patterns

One of the most difficult aspects of understanding how much a newborn should sleep is the fact the sleep cycle of an infant differs a little from that of an adult. There are four stages of sleep which fit into each sleep cycle, made up of:

Drowsiness
Light sleep
Deep sleep
Very deep sleep

The first thing to understand is your newborn will spend more time in REM sleep, which stands for Rapid Eye Movement. This is a light form of sleep which is highlighted by a large amount of dreaming and lightness your newborn will experience when sleeping. How much a newborn should sleep is not a question we can answer definitively, but we do know your baby will start out in stage one of drowsiness often highlighted by the falling of eyelids by your infant.

Once drowsiness has passed, your newborn will slip into a light sleep before passing into the next two stages. Your newborn will slip through the other stages of sleep before returning to REM, a stage your newborn will remain in which is why soft noises can wake a baby with ease. This new sleep cycle is something your newborn will need to understand and learn to cope with during the first months of life. In many cases, your newborn may move easily through stages two, three, and four of their sleep cycle before sliding back to stage two, light sleep. May newborns will struggle to remain asleep during these periods over the first few weeks of life.

Newborns sleep and feeding

There are a number of things you will have to consider when your newborn arrives home with you. Firstly, how much a newborn should sleep and when will your newborn need to eat. You may be shocked to discover your newborn will spend much of their time sleeping and eating, and this could be the way they spend their entire life for the first few weeks. Your newborn will generally need to feed every three hours or so, which means your baby may not understand you are hoping to sleep through the night during their first few months. In general, your infant will only sleep through the night when they are close to six months old.

Let’s start with how much a newborn should sleep and eat? Your newborn will sleep in bursts and could remain asleep pretty much all day in the first few weeks apart from when they are feeding. Some newborns will sleep for a burst of 30 to 45 minutes while others will sleep for the entire three hours before they need to feed. Feeding can offer a number of benefits for you as a new parent to an infant as this is often a comforting moment for your baby and aids them in moving from waking to sleep.

Over the course of the first few weeks, you may question how much a newborn should sleep and eat as they do little else. A popular option for most new parents like you is to try and put a child on a schedule as soon as possible, which should include waking the infant to feed before they are so hungry they reach the stage of crying. Your newborn should not begin to use breastfeeding or a bottle as a crutch to aid their sleep as this can cause sleep problems in the coming months and years. A schedule for your newborn should not revolve around how much a newborn should sleep, but should include the same actions taking place. You should try to feed your newborn infant and follow this with a change of diaper to prepare your child for sleep.

Creating the right mood for sleep

It can often be difficult to create the right mood for your child to sleep but you should create the right setting for your infant to sleep. Not only should you be concerned about how much a newborn should sleep, but you should also make sure your infant begins to understand the difference between night and day.

One problem the parents of a newborn face is not allowing a baby to fall asleep in their bed. Many parents do not place their newborn in a crib as soon as they begin to grow drowsy and slide towards the first stages of sleep. You may be concerned about how much a newborn should sleep, but you should also worry about how they are moving into the various stages of sleep. A newborn will often hope to be held or breastfed until they enter the different stages of sleep. This can often cause problems because of the fact your newborn may expect to be held throughout their sleep cycle.

You should also make sure you are following the latest advice about the correct position for your newborn to sleep, which should be with your newborn laying flat on their back. Babies sleeping on their stomach have been proven by various studies to have a greater risk of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Making sure your baby is sleeping in the correct way should be just as much of a consideration as understanding how much a newborn should sleep during the first few weeks of life.

How Many Hours Do Newborns Sleep?

Newborns Change The Way You Sleep Too

Many a new parent will tell a friend a horror story about a newborn baby that seems to never sleep, and parents really do feel like their child is never sleeping. That’s because when newborn babies are awake, they cry a lot, and that can make the wakefulness a wee bit more difficult to handle at times. The truth is, though, that newborn babies sleep more than they are awake. They just haven’t adapted to adult sleep patterns and habits, and of course, there’s no such thing as politeness with a newborn. The only tool a newborn has at its disposal is its screaming and crying, so if that baby wants something, it’s going to let you know. And that’s a good thing for you because you need and want to know if your baby is hungry or sick. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 PM or 3 AM. The baby has needs, and you’re going to have to tend to them, so how many hours newborns sleep is an important average rule to remember.

Sleep is very different for those freshly formed newborn brains out there, so it might interest you to learn a little bit about how your baby sleeps and wakes. The first three months of life are the most frustrating for parents. Until a newborn is about 3 months old, he or she will not sleep a full 6-8 hours a night. That newborn is going to need 8-9 hours of daytime sleep and 8 hours of night sleep, but this is not uninterrupted sleep, and that’s the major dilemma for parents. It’s very common for a screaming newborn to wake parents at the most inconvenient times or throughout the day, depending on if there’s a need like food or a diaper change. Learning about your newborn’s sleep habits will help to make the transition to parenthood a little easier for you. The more you know about how many hours newborns sleep, the easier it will be to understand your mission as a parent.

Newborn Sleep Pattern Basics

You might be wondering why your little one wakes up so often. The answer is that they wake up because they have a greater need to eat more often than adults do. Since their little brains are developing and their little bodies are growing so quickly, they’ll have a real need to eat every few hours. Adults do things a little differently. We have our breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we know the proper social etiquette for when to eat. Newborns don’t have this built in routine. They wake up whenever their bodies and little minds tell them that they’re hungry, and that means you may have to crawl out of a very comfortable bed to go take care of your newborn’s needs. If your newborn seems to be sleeping less than average, it’s good to remember that how many hours newborns sleep can be increased if there’s a problem reducing their sleep to something below normal.

A very important thing to remember as a parent is that if you have a newborn who doesn’t wake up to eat often enough, you need to wake them up for regular feeding times. This keeps them on a good feeding schedule and is healthier for them and you. Since you’re regularly waking the infant up, they are more likely to get on a better sleep schedule and one that more closely coincides with your needs. Babies can very unexpectedly have another need, though, such as a diaper change. In general, waking a newborn up every 3-4 hours is the recommended schedule for feeding. Don’t let it go beyond 4 hours. That little one of yours is rapidly growing in every way and their nourishment is vital. The most pressing thing most people wonder about in terms of newborn sleep is how many hours newborns sleep in a 24 hour period.

How Many Hours Newborns Sleep

Every newborn has its own sleeping world, and every newborn will be different. Some infants will sleep less than others, and that’s usually nothing to worry about. How many hours newborns sleep will depend on their overall needs. It’s based on how often they get hungry, how often they need their diaper changed, and of course, how often they get sick and need your extra attention. On average, how many hours newborns sleep usually falls in the realm of about 16-17 hours a day. This would be considered the norm in terms of how many hours newborns sleep. They typically wake up every few hours to eat, and if they don’t, it’s your job to jostle that little bundle of joy and give them their breastfeeding or bottle.

The important thing for you to remember on the subject of how many hours newborns sleep is that if your newborn deviates from this general rule, it may or may not be a sign that something is wrong. Obviously if your infant is sleeping less than 16-17 hours a day/night, then it might be time for a visit to your pediatrician. If it’s just a little less, it may not be anything at all, but not sleeping is sometimes a sign of serious illnesses in infants. While rare, general sleep disorders like Central Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, and even Restless Leg Syndrome can occur in infants. And of course, we’ve all heard about children who have an illness like cholera not being able to sleep at all and crying constantly. Any particular illness your newborn gets can cause your little one to stop sleeping as often or to cry more often. That’s because they’re trying to let you know that something is wrong. So when you think of how many hours newborns sleep in a 24 hour period – 16-17 – you can measure that against the sleep pattern of your own newborn and get a clue when something serious may be wrong.

Settling Into A Safe Sleep Routine

Newborns do have a fairly steady 16-17 hours a night of sleep, but their sleep is going to be sporadic, while yours is on a schedule. That’s really the only difference. In terms of how many hours newborns sleep, they usually sleep more than twice the number of hours that you as an adult sleep, and that’s a lot! It’s the sporadic nature of the sleep that can seriously throw your sleep off schedule and make life more difficult for you. Some parents try something called “room-share” where they keep the newborn’s crib in their bedroom so that they have easier access to the child and the baby has a constant sense of their presence. This is not for everyone, but some parents have found that their infants sleep more steadily if the crib is in the same room.

Sleep environments vary for all infants, depending on your parenting style, and there’s generally a safe sleep environment for most newborns, but if you need a few pointers, here are just a few things you should remember when setting up your child’s sleep environment:

Clutter-free Sleep Area: No toys or other objects in the crib during sleep time
Pacifiers sometimes help infants sleep, but you should never make the child take a pacifier if they don’t want it
Double check to make sure the crib meets all safety regulations
Some infants sleep better on firmer sleep surfaces, so if your child is having trouble sleeping, try a different mattress
Remember to always be soothing to the child, especially if it’s in the first few weeks. They don’t know night or day yet!

As you can see, there’s a lot of complexity to infant sleep patterns, and newborn sleep patterns are especially tricky. In those first few weeks, the little one is learning the difference between what is night and what is day, so this can be extremely frustrating for new parents who have to keep to a work schedule and still take care of everything with the infant and household. Just remember that if you’re frustrated, the newborn can sometimes pick up on those feelings, so it’s good for you to get help when you need it. Ask a spouse or family member to help you with that trying time. Your newborn is precious, and they for the most part really don’t know that they’re in the world yet. They’re learning things as simple as night and day, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling to keep up with the newborn’s sleep schedule. How many hours a newborn sleeps is something that’s just not in your control, so go with the flow.

Conclusion

As time goes by, your newborn will adjust and begin to be on a more regular sleep schedule. This is a small part of your overall life with your child, and it will slowly even itself out over time. If you suspect your newborn may have a sleep disorder or something really seems off with their sleep, it’s important to get to your pediatrician right away. They are the person who can examine your child and perform tests that will help you know what’s wrong with your infant. Remember, how many hours newborns sleep will depend on a great number of things, but it’s generally 16-17 hours a day. They will still wake up every few hours to eat, and this is completely normal.

How Long Should Naps Be?

How long should naps be?

My baby’s napping. How long until they should wake up?

We’ve all heard those trying-to-be-helpful remarks from other people that we should do all the non-baby things in life while our baby is sleeping. However, those of us with children know that the length of time that our children sleep can vary, and it changes based on what’s going on, how old they are, and a variety of other factors.

Also, as a parent, it can be nerve wracking thinking about how long a baby nap should be. When should they go to sleep? Are they sleeping enough? Should I wake them up?
This guide can provide you with some milestones for thinking about your baby’s naps and how long a baby nap should be. While every baby is different, they all need to nap.

Nap Schedule by age

How long a baby nap should be really depends on the age of your child. As babies grow and develop, their needs evolve. One of those needs is how much sleep they need and when they get it. Let’s take a look at how long a baby nap should be based on the age of your infant. At a glance:

0-3 Months: 12-18 hours of sleep, multiple naps
4-6 Months: 3-5 naps, 45-90 minutes apieces
7-9 Months: 2-4 naps, 1-2 hours apiece
10-12 Months: 2 naps, 1-2 hours apiece

0-4 Months

During these first four months with your baby, they will be sleeping all the time! Newborns don’t know if it’s day or if it’s night, so they will be sleeping around the clock. It’s hard to call any of this sleeping a “nap.” Basically, when your baby is tired, they’ll sleep. It’s not uncommon for a newborn to sleep 12-18 hours a day as they start to develop their natural rhythm.

Babies during this period may take up to 6 naps in a day. How long a baby nap should be during this period can be anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes before they will wake up and need your loving attention.

4-6 Months

Once you’ve hit this milestone, you may start to find that your baby is developing a more natural routine. There starts to be a flow and a rhythm today, and naps are more easily set apart from longer periods of nighttime rest. Many recommend giving your baby the chance to nap at the same time each day starting in this period.

Most babies take between 3 and 5 naps a day during this period. These naps will last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. As they settle into this nap routine, how long a baby nap should be will start to become routine as well.

6-9 Months

At six months, the shorter napping periods from the earlier points in your child’s development are coming to a close. How long a baby nap should be is starting to lengthen. Because of this, the nap routine will change and evolve as they sleep for longer periods of time during a shorter number of naps. Naps typically taper down to between and 2 and 4 a day during these months.

As your baby stays awake longer between naps, they should start to sleep about 1-2 hours every time they go down for a nap. Helping your baby adjust to a nap schedule that accommodates this new napping cycle will help them fall asleep and stay asleep.

10-12 Months

Now that your baby is getting a little older, the number of naps they take will start to taper off. At the start of this period, they may be taking 3 or 4 naps a day. By the time your baby is a year old, the number of naps will drop to 2 each day. Typically, they will have one nap in the morning and then they will have another nap in the afternoon.

Your baby should be sleeping much more consistently now. How long a baby nap should be at this stage is about 1-2 hours. Over the course of the day, your baby will be getting 2-3 hours of daytime sleep to complement what they are getting during the night. This is preparing them for becoming a toddler and entering a 1 nap per day schedule.

What to do if your baby isn’t following the schedule

If your baby isn’t following the schedule above exactly, that is no cause for alarm. Every child is different, and each baby has their own unique temperament and energy. How long a baby nap should be depends on the baby. That being said, every child needs daytime sleep.
If your baby is consistently hitting the 2-3 hours of daytime napping starting at 5 months, then how long a baby nap should be is however long your baby is sleeping. If you’re concerned though, consult your pediatrician. They can give you the best advice on making sure your baby is getting the right kind of rest for their health and development.

Nap Regressions and Nap Transitions

Sometimes when you’re reading about how long a baby nap should be, you’ll come across two terms: nap regression and nap transition. Let’s explore what these mean.

Nap Regressions

A nap regression, also known as a sleep regression, is a period of a few weeks where the length of time your baby sleeps at a single time shortens dramatically as their body adapts to having sleep cycles. How long a baby should nap during this period shortens. This can be a trying time for parents, but this is a natural part of your baby growing and developing their sleep rhythm. During this period, your baby may resist naps, making it harder to get that needed daytime rest in.

Typically, many parents see nap regressions happening at the 4 and 8 month marks. However, some babies have their first regression as early as 8 weeks, and sometimes the second regression doesn’t happen until 10 months. They can last for a few weeks until your baby settles into a new way of sleeping. This typically means taking fewer naps for longer periods of time.

Nap Transitions

A nap transition is similar to a regression, but it can happen a little more gradually. Nap transitions occur every few months as your baby is growing and they gradually move from 6 or more naps a day to fewer and fewer. Typically by the time your child hits 18 months, they will only be taking 1 nap each day in the afternoon.

Transitioning from a larger number of naps to a lower number is a gradual process. It necessitates a change in your baby’s routine. It will also change how long a baby nap should be, creating a new standard with every transition.

Letting Your Baby Sleep

Napping is an important part of your baby’s development. During these early months, this rest is vital to their growth and development. However, when you’re thinking about how long a baby nap should be, remember that it’s less important how long any individual nap is. Rather, it’s more important how much total sleep your baby is getting.

Some naps are not going to be as long as others. Sometimes the phone rings, the dog barks, someone slams a door, or something else occurs that wakes your baby from their nap and they didn’t get their normal full naps. That nap time can be made up later, and it may change how long a baby a nap should be for that day.

Remember that these milestones and guidelines are averages and that every baby is unique. Don’t feel like you have to wake your baby up if they go over the “limit” or that you have to try to force a nap if it doesn’t seem like it’s going to work. Babies come in all forms, from those that sleep in many short snatches to those who naturally fall into longer naps. How long a baby nap should be depends on your particular situation, and you and your baby will find it together.

How Long Do Babies Sleep?

How long do babies sleep?

They’re so beautiful when they’re sleeping. How long until they wake up?!

There’s nothing that looks so at peace as a sleeping child. Their calm can inject a wonderful serenity into your day. Babies need a lot of sleep, especially in the early months. These sleep needs are going to keep changing as they grow, though, and it can be hard to figure out how much sleep is enough or to estimate how long a baby sleeps during each development period.

How long a baby sleeps

How long a baby sleeps depends on numerous factors. These factors include the age of your child, whether it’s a nap or nighttime sleep, whether your baby is in sleep regression, and the general temperament of your baby, among other things. In short though, over the course of each day, how long a baby sleeps will be:

0-2 Months: 15-17 hours
2-4 Months: 14-16 hours
4-6 Months: 12-15 hours
6-9 Months: 11-15 hours
9-12 Months: 11-14 hours

In short, approximately every 2-3 months, how much a baby sleeps will drop by about an hour as your baby continues to develop and grow.

Your baby’s changing sleep needs

As your baby grows, their sleep needs are going to change. What was normal at the beginning is going to evolve, and while every baby is different, there are some good rules of thumb you can keep in mind when thinking about how long a baby sleeps.

0-2 Months

During this period, your baby needs a ton of sleep. It’s not unusual for a baby to sleep between 15 and 17 hours a day during this period. Typically, this will cycle in a series of naps that last between 2 and 4 hours.

Daytime naps may last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours, and in these early months, most babies don’t sleep through the night. The longest night stretches of how long a baby sleeps are usually 2 to 4 hours, interrupted by the need for feeding and other stimulation. This period can be a little rough since it doesn’t match the typical adult’s sleeping schedule, but it will change as your baby continues to grow and head into their next stage of sleep development.

2-4 Months

Once your baby hits about 8 weeks old, their sleep pattern will start to more closely resemble a normal rhythmic sleep cycle. However, how long a baby sleeps over the course of the day is still large, usually about 14 to 16 hours.

As your baby starts to sleep longer through the night, you can expect periods of night time sleep that last up to 6 hours. During the day, your baby will still be napping consistently. The naps will vary in length between 30 minutes and 3 hours, and how long a baby sleeps during each one is going to depend on each individual infant.

4-6 Months

At 4 months, many babies will experience a hiccup in their sleep routine that had been previously established. This is known as the 4 month regression, and it can result in your baby not sleeping through the night and being more irritable. This happens because this is when your baby is developing their sleep cycle of light and deep sleep. This is also a period when some recommend moving away from swaddling. All of these changes can have a big impact on your baby’s sleep, but they still need it!

How long a baby sleeps during this period drops during this stage of development. Typically, your baby will sleep anywhere from a total of 12 to 15 hours. Once they’ve overcome the milestone of the 4 month sleep regression, their nighttime sleep will also start to extend and can last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. Naps are still an important part of sleep during this period, though. You can expect your baby to take up to 3 naps each day, lasting anywhere from 1 to 3 hours apiece.

6-9 Months

Your baby sleep needs will continue to evolve. As they grow older, the amount that they need to sleep in a day gradually declines. During the 6-9 month age, how much sleep a baby needs drops to 11 to 15 hours per day. Now that their sleep cycle and new sleep routine is established, your baby will also most likely become a much better night sleeper. Nighttime rest may last anywhere from 6 to 10 hours. 6-9 month old babies are still napping regularly as part of their sleep routine. You can expect your baby to take either 2 or 3 naps each day, and to sleep for 1 to 3 hours at a time.

Your baby may experience another sleep regression during this period that may make sleeping difficult. The length of naps may change, and your baby may not be sleeping through the night. In that case, shorter naps are better than no naps, and extra sleep during the day can make up for fitful nights. All of this will add up as how much a baby sleeps contributes to their overall rest.

10-12 Months

As your baby nears their first birthday, how much sleep a baby needs continues to shrink. Most babies will need between 11 and 14 hours each day of sleep. However, unlike in previous stages, the bulk of your baby’s sleep will come from their nighttime rest from this point forward. Most babies will be sleeping through the night during most nights, clocking in between 7 and 11 hours each night.

Nap routines will also become more regular, as babies start to transition from 2 daily naps (morning and afternoon) to just 1 nap each day in the afternoon of between 1 to 2 hours. In this way, your baby’s routine will start to mirror that of toddlers and older children.

What if your baby doesn’t match the guidelines

Every baby is different, and because of this, your baby may not fall neatly into the categories above. That’s okay! Some babies are immediately great sleepers and sleep through the night from the early months. Other babies are champion nappers and never have any trouble going down. On the other hand, some babies are fitful sleepers and have trouble napping. How long a baby sleeps is unique to each child.

Another thing to think about when considering how long a baby sleeps is that a baby’s day doesn’t necessarily start and end at midnight. When people refer to how much sleep a baby should get in a day, they are generally referring to how long a baby sleeps over a 24 hour period. If it’s easier for you to keep track of rest from morning to morning instead of trying to split the night in half, do that!

Getting to sleep

As you can see, your baby needs a lot of rest. Getting them to sleep can sometimes be a challenge, but this can be alleviated by cultivating good sleep habits. Work with your baby to establish a regular nap routine so that their body can get into a natural rhythm. Be on the lookout for signs like yawning, fussing, and rubbing eyes that may indicate that your baby is getting sleepy and needs some rest. Be understanding that sleep transition periods can be tough, but that a new routine will get established, and your baby will start to more easily get the rest that they need.

How long a baby sleeps changes over time as they develop into toddlers and young children. What doesn’t change is the importance of quality sleep and rest.

Hours of Sleep by Age: Baby Sleep Guidelines

How Much is Your Baby Supposed to Sleep?

You may have heard that a baby will sleep a ton during the first year of life, but you probably also heard that parents are often sleep deprived those first twelve months. How can both of these statements be true?

It’s all about how the baby sleeps and what his sleep life looks like compared to an adult. The hours of sleep by age isn’t easy to understand as a new parent. Knowing the hours of sleep a baby gets by age helps parents know what to truly expect from the first year with an infant.

The First Quarter (Hours of sleep by age)

Watch for these sleep issues the first three months:

Waking often at night hours
Sleep regression
Mixed up nights and days

1 Month Hours of Sleep

Due to his new existence on the outside of the womb, your baby will likely have his days and nights mixed up the first month of life. Expect your baby to sleep anywhere between 15 and 18 hours in a 24-hour period, but don’t expect the baby to do it all at once. Ideally, about eight to ten hours will be at night and the rest will be spread out over several naps throughout the day.

Remember that sleeping eight hours a night during the first month of life doesn’t mean your baby will, or should, sleep those eight hours without waking up. Babies have tiny stomachs that process food quickly, so your baby will wake up every two to three hours to eat.

2 Months Hours of Sleep

The second month of your infant’s life will bring plenty of changes in her appearance and abilities, but the sleep situation will look much the same as it did the first month. Your infant may shave half an hour or so off of her overall sleep time, but still expect around eight to nine hours at night and at least three or four naps during the day.

If your baby suddenly starts waking up more often than normal at night for food or comfort, don’t worry. Sleep regression occurs in many babies during the second month. It’s a normal, if exhausting, stage. Try a pacifier to help your little one self-sooth and decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS).

3 Months Hours of Sleep

Welcome to the world of parenting an infant, not a newborn! This new phase may bring some sleep changes, such as the baby sleeping longer at night and taking shorter naps during the day. Night time feeding will still be necessary, but the frequency will lessen. Naps may also shorten, with the baby preferring one long nap buffered by two shorter naps on either side.

You will still notice your infant sleeping often, about 15 hours in a 24-hour period. However, 11-12 of those hours will be at night with the others sprinkled throughout the day.

The Second Quarter (Hours of sleep by age)

Here’s what to watch out for next:

Five hours of uninterrupted night sleep
The need for a bedtime routine
Your baby rolling to his stomach

4 Months Hours of Sleep

Five straight hours of sleep is considered sleeping through the night for babies, and you may be experiencing this delight for the first time when your baby is around the four-month mark. Fourteen or fifteen hours a day is still the normal amount of hours to sleep for this age, but most of that will take place at night now. Two naps, usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will round out baby’s sleep needs.

It’s fair to expect at least one night feeding, but the fourth month often brings longer periods of sleep between this feeding for you and the baby.

5 Months Hours of Sleep

Five months is the perfect time to start a bedtime routine if you haven’t already. Try a bath, a bedtime story, and some cuddles before placing the little one in his bassinet or crib. Some babies sleep for seven or eight hours without waking up at this age, while others still wake up sooner for a night time feed.

Two naps will continue during the day, and these may lengthen in duration. Try to have routines in place for naps as well so it will be easier for the baby to drift off to sleep without a fuss. Overall hours of sleep a day will remain about the same as the previous month.

6 Months Hours of Sleep

If your baby hasn’t been sleeping for six to eight hour stretches at night, this may be the month he starts. A six-month old will often extend his hours of sleep at night and still keep two naps a day.

Don’t be surprised if you put your baby on his back to sleep and wake up to find him on his stomach. Though back sleeping is always recommended the first year of a baby’s life, your baby will likely be able to roll over on his own at this point.

The risk of sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS) is lower at six months than it is before, so don’t worry if this is the case. Still, put the baby on his back to start out the night and make sure there are no pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib with him. Fourteen hours combined sleep time is normal for a six month old.

The Third Quarter (hours of sleep by age)

The third quarter may bring:

Extended periods of uninterrupted sleep
Separation anxiety
The desire to consider sleep training

7 Months Hours of Sleep

The second quarter of your baby’s life could bring 10 to 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. Be warned that every baby is different and not every one turns into a champion sleeper after the first six months. However, there are factors that may increase the amount of time your baby sleeps without waking up for food.

Solid foods have likely been introduced by month 7, and that means a baby will be full longer and not wake up for breast milk or formula as often. Two to three naps per day will likely still be necessary, and these will be a total of about four hours. Though the naps may feel like they are getting shorter, especially if your baby is still taking three a day, enjoy more peaceful sleep at night as a payoff.

8 Months Hours of Sleep

Sleep regression often strikes again during the eighth month of a child’s life, so be prepared for the sleep schedule to feel completely thrown overboard. A child is acquiring so many news skills at this stage in the journey that the process may actually disrupt his rest. Separation anxiety also plays a role, and sometimes a child will wake up and cry just to see your face.

You can still expect the baby to sleep anywhere from 12 to 16 hours in a 24 hour period, with most of that still happening at night. Two naps during the day will round out his sleep needs, but those naps could be short or long. In fact, at this age the length of the naps may vary by the day.

9 Months Hours of Sleep

Sleep regression fueled by separation anxiety or teething may seep into the ninth month of your infant’s life. Night sleep may not feel as uninterrupted as you hoped for, and this is usually the point in time when parents start looking for methods for handling late night cries. Your baby is probably still sleeping for nine to ten hours a night, but it will feel fragmented.

You may decide to let your baby self-sooth in the hopes that he will calm down faster, or you may want to check in every time he cries. Many parents choose to pat the child’s back instead of pick him up in hopes that he will fall back to sleep without getting out of the crib first.

A morning and afternoon nap are likely all the sleep your child needs during the day, and these add up to about three to five hours of nap sleep.

The Fourth Quarter (Hours of Sleep by Age)

The last quarter could offer:

Another bout of sleep regression
One nap instead of two

10 Month Hours of Sleep

Your baby may decide one nap is enough at around this age. He will add an extra hour or two to his nighttime rest and be awake more during the day to use his newly acquired motor skills and explore the world around him.

Other babies still want two naps, so they won’t sleep as long at night if those naps are both decent lengths of time. Either way, believe it or not, your almost one year old still spends a substantial part of the day asleep!

Regardless of how a child decides to split up his rest, he will still be sleeping about 14 hours a day.

11 Month Hours of Sleep

Around this time, you may wake up to find your baby in the crawling or walking position in his crib. That’s because the last quarter of a baby’s first year brings all kinds of changes!

Your baby may be sleeping longer at night thanks to more movement during the day that exhausts him. He may be down to one long nap now instead of two shorter ones, but he will still sleep about 13-14 hours a day.

12 Months Hours of Sleep

Congratulations! You have almost made it through the first year of your baby’s life. Whether he is sleeping peacefully through the night, napping once or twice a day, or still waking up for cuddles more than expected, the sleep situation should definitely be better than it was when you started.

Conclusion

Your baby will nap for years to come, and he will lessen how much sleep he needs a day, but he will likely still clock in at about 12-14 hours total in a 24 hour period. The sleep is supporting the growth and development you see happening every day.

Bedtimes by Age: A Complete Guide

When Should Each Age Get to Bed?

You hear it all the time, that a good sleep schedule leads to better rest, deeper sleep, and a generally healthier life. That’s all well and good for adults who are in charge of their own bedtimes and early alarms, but how can you decide what’s best for your child? How should it change as your baby becomes a toddler and (eek!) a big kid? What are the best bedtimes by age?

How much sleep does each age need?

Figuring out bedtimes by age requires some extra info. There are a lot of moving parts to figure out! Let’s start by looking at how much sleep each age needs before we go jumping to sorting out bedtimes by age. According to the National Sleep Foundation, you should be going by these recommendations:

Newborn (0-3 months): 14-17 hours
Infant (4-12 months): 12-15 hours
Toddler (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
Preschool (3-5 years): 10-13 hours
School Age (6-13 years): 9-11 hours
Teen (14-17 years): 8-10 hours

Obviously once you have adult children, you won’t be setting bedtimes by that age, and it’s unlikely that when they’re teens you even need to set bedtimes by that age either, but it’s good information to have for yourself and others in your home. After all, those tiny people do continue to grow as time goes on! For now, let’s talk about what just what are the best bedtimes by age?

how much sleep for a Newborn (0-3 months)

Your baby should be sleeping about fourteen to seventeen hours at this stage, but don’t expect it to be all at night! Baby’s sleep will be spread throughout the day. This is a time for a whole lot of physical growth, and that takes both a lot of sleep and a lot of food. Either one can and will wind up interrupting the other. Your baby will wake up during the night to eat, and will probably fall asleep while eating on a fairly regular basis.

Calculating Bedtimes by This Age

You can use that food induced sleep to help set the right bedtime by this age. See how long each bout of sleep tends to last. Consider how often baby wakes, and adjust your last feeding of the evening towards a time that works with when your household wakes. Let’s say baby tends to sleep for four hours and takes about a half an hour to eat. If you want to wake up around 7am, count backwards. You should be aiming to have baby back to sleep by 3, so look for a 2:30am feeding session. Remember to check the diaper first so you don’t have to wake the baby you just soothed to sleep! Counting back another four hours, you want baby asleep by 9. Have bath time done and baby dry and dressed for bed by 8:30, then do your final feeding and it’s off to dreamland!

Infant (4-12 months)

At the infant stage, your baby should be sleeping about twelve to fifteen hours, but this is still not a once and done thing. Even though your baby may start sleeping through the night during this stage (the earlier this happens, the more blessed you are), naps are still an important time for baby to get more much needed rest in order to keep on growing. Naps are also a great time for you to rest or catch up on other non-baby activities, but that’s a very different discussion!

Calculating Bedtimes by This Age

The bedtimes by this age are still based on the time the household has to get up. If you are a night owl, you’re likely to sleep in, so you’ll want your baby to do the same. If you’re a morning person, you might aim to have baby wake up a little sooner to join you for your daily activities.

Babies this age tend to take at least a morning and afternoon nap. Younger infants might sneak a third nap in there. If your baby has started to sleep through the night, use our counting back method that we used in the newborn stage, but drop the night time feeding time. Usually “through the night” means about a 7 hour block of solid sleep. Count back seven hours from when you want your well rested baby to wake, and start your bedtime feeding then. Remember to use a consistent bedtime routine before the bedtime feeding. This becomes the cues you give your baby’s tiny body to say that it’s time to start relaxing and getting ready to sleep. This is a great time to enjoy some cuddles, read a book, and rub on some baby lotion.

Toddler (1-2 years)

How Much Sleep?

Your toddler should be getting about eleven to fourteen hours of sleep each day. Hopefully, this sleep still includes at least one nap. Some little ones are just too interested in what’s going on in their world and stop napping early. If you can at least get these little ones to rest during a quiet time, consider that a parenting win. These kiddos will probably fall on the lesser end of the recommended amount of sleep.

Calculating Bedtimes by This Age

Figuring out the bedtime for this age gets a little trickier. You’ve got to look at whether or not your precocious toddler is still napping or not. If they’re not napping, their bedtime should be a little earlier, because even though they’re probably getting a little less sleep overall, it’s happening all at once. Those who are still napping will probably sleep a little less at night, so their bedtime will be a bit later.

You know how we’re going to figure this out, right? Of course! By the time you’ve got a toddler, you’re catching on to all the parenting procedures. Knowing how much your active little one tends to sleep, do that trusty old working backwards procedure. At this age, bedtime feedings are probably starting to fade, but keep up with the other bedtime routines you’ve already established. This will help send messages to that active little body that it’s time to relax and unwind in time for bed and a good night’s rest.

Preschooler (3-5 years)

How Much Sleep?

Your preschooler should be getting about ten to thirteen hours of sleep, and at this age, it might be all in one shot! As lovely as naps are, and as much as you cherish that down time as a parent, kids in this age range tend to stop taking naps and start getting all of their sleep at night, especially towards the five year mark.

Calculating Bedtimes by This Age

You know what I’m going to say, right? Of course! To figure out this bedtime by age, count back from you toddler’s wake up time by at least ten hours. They might be trying to stay up later at this age, but be sure to enforce a good, healthy bedtime, even if they’re resistant! Keep up with the regular bedtime routine. If they’ve started to use screens by now, make sure their screen time ends at least an hour before bedtime to help them calm down in time.

School Aged (6-13 years)

How Much Sleep?

Once your kiddo heads off to school, you need to aim to have them sleep about nine to eleven hours a night. If you are extremely fortunate and not too tied up in extracurriculars, you might get a younger kid to take a quick snooze after school, but count on most of those hours of sleep happening at night.

Calculating Bedtimes by This Age

By now, the school schedule will dominate when you kid needs to wake up. Take into account how long the family needs for everyone to complete their whole morning routine to get out the door in time. A bathroom schedule might be necessary. The bedtime by this age depends on when your child needs to wake up to fit into the family’s morning schedule. Count backwards from you child’s wake up time by at least nine hours, and stick with that bedtime! They may push to go to bed later as they get older and want to feel more grown up. Make sure you reinforce how important sleep is to a happy, healthy life!

Teenagers and Up

If you’ve followed these bedtime steps throughout your teen’s early years, you’ve set them up to make good decisions about their own sleep schedules. Bedtime by this age will be largely up to them. Encourage eight to ten hours and a regular schedule, and your teen should be well rested and ready to carry their good sleep habits well into adulthood.

Help! My Baby Can’t Sleep Through the Night!

How to Help Your Baby/Newborn Sleep Through the Night

Introduction

Health, eating, and sleeping are the “Big 3” issues when it comes to bringing home your baby. In the beginning, you do not really expect your child to sleep through the night. In fact, because of the fluctuations in blood sugar, if your child slept too much without waking up to be fed, it could be dangerous.

But a couple of months into your baby’s life, you want them to begin sleeping for longer stretches both for their sanity and for yours. The problem is that you cannot reason with them and you cannot force them to sleep, and sometimes your baby can’t sleep through night. If

The Importance of Sleep

If your baby can’t sleep through night, it is important that you do whatever you can to change that because the importance of sleep for a baby cannot be overstated. The truth is that very few people get the sleep that they need, but as adults we can cope with a lack of sleep and still function. The same cannot be said for your baby.

When a child is first born, they really should not stay awake for more than 2 hour intervals, and usually 30 minutes of that awake time is spent eating. It is very important to track their sleep and to make sure that they are interacting with you when they are awake, but the most important thing is to ensure that your baby gets between 14 and 17 hours of sleep per day until they are about 6 months old.

The sleep cycles of babies are different than that of an adult. This can be easily seen when you watch your baby sleep. Restlessness, position changing, and the “jump” reflex are all signs that show you that a baby does not spend as much time in REM sleep as an adult does. This is one of the main reasons that a baby needs to sleep so much more during the day.

A tired baby cannot function at their optimal level, they are fussier, and they will lost out on cognitive and emotional growth because they are missing sleep. If your baby can’t sleep through night, try following some of the tips below to make sure they progress like they are supposed to.

Reducing the Risk of SIDS

Before we move on to those tips, another reason that good sleep habits is important is because of the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. Following the tips below will help your baby’s development and sleep patterns, but it will also reduce the risk of SIDS because your baby will have your entire focus at bed time and nap time.

A Sleep Schedule

The most important thing that you can do as your baby becomes old enough to sleep through the night is to develop a sleep schedule. If your baby can’t sleep through night, it could be because you are missing some or all of a sleep schedule. A schedule includes things like when to take naps, where to put the crib or pack and play, what temperature to set the thermostat, when is the perfect bed time for your baby, what nap time routine will you use, what bed time routine will you use, how often will you bathe your child, etc.

If your baby can’t sleep through night, the first thing that you should do is reevaluate your sleep schedule. Make changes where changes need to be made, but most importantly, be consistent. A consistent schedule, a consistent routine, a consistent location, and a consistent time are so important for

When is Your Baby Ready to Sleep?

One of the reasons that your baby can’t sleep through night is because you may be missing their “sleep signs.” As the day gets later and you have fed your baby their last bottle of the day, try not to miss your baby’s “sleep signs.” Sometimes they are as obvious as eye rubbing or a yawn, but sometimes they are much more subtle. Maybe your baby becomes slightly fussier or more irritable and sometimes it is as simple as your baby not making eye contact. It is different for each child, but after all, you are the number one expert on your child.

These “sleep signs” should be evident during the day as well. If your baby can’t sleep through night, it could also be because you are missing their sleep signs throughout the day. As we will discuss later, sleep begets sleep. What that means is that when your baby becomes overly exhausted, they may actually be too tired to sleep. While that may sound counterintuitive, and it may seem logical to make you baby as tired as possible before laying them down at night, it just does not work. If you misread when your baby is ready to sleep during the day or at night, it could very well be the reason your baby can’t sleep through night.

A Bed Time Routine

When baby can’t sleep through night, a good step is to evaluate your bedtime routine. Are you consistent? Is there a “wind down” time where everything in your house is calm leading up to sleep? Have you tried bathing your child directly before bed every night?

Some of the questions above may seem out of the realm of possibility for your family. Perhaps you have other children who make a “wind down” time impossible. Maybe you work too late to be able to bathe your baby every night before bed, and maybe consistency is tough because your schedule is anything but consistent. At the same time, if your baby can’t sleep through night, adding these things into your bed time routine could very well be the difference.

The most important aspect of your bed time routine should be when you put your baby down to sleep in their crib. Maybe you rock them and sing to them, maybe you just sit quietly with them while they doze off, and maybe you even put them in your bed while you lie right next to them. Regardless, the best and most important part of the nighttime routine should be that special time between you and your baby as they transition into sleep. Make sure this is special for you and your baby, and make sure it is a comforting and relaxing time that prepares your baby to sleep through the night.

Swaddling

Swaddling is not a necessary thing for children, but if your baby can’t sleep through night and you are not swaddling, maybe this simple act could be the difference. Swaddling is a known deterrent to SIDS, it helps to fight your child’s “jump” reflex, and it gives your baby an added sense of comfort and security. While it is not necessary, it is certainly worth a shot if nothing else is working.

Naps and Nighttime Sleep

Sleep begets sleep. It really is that simple. If your child is not napping enough during the day and they are overly tired when it comes to bed time, then they probably can’t sleep through night. An overly tired baby is a fussy baby, an uncomfortable baby, and ultimately a baby that will have trouble sleeping.

This idea is both counterintuitive and illogical. As adults, we know that the more tired we feel, the easier it is for us to get to sleep and the harder we sleep. This is not the same for babies and it can be confusing. You have probably even heard a phrase similar to, “They are really going to sleep well tonight” as a reference to how hard a child has played or how little they have slept during the day. The truth is, the better and more consistent your child sleeps during nap time and bed time, the better they will sleep in general.

This fact is the reason that a sleep schedule is vital. Not just a bedtime schedule, but a total sleep schedule where you know when your child will nap each day, when they will eat, and when they will go to bed. When you get this schedule right and your child is taking good naps, then the adage “sleep begets sleep” will begin working for your child. One of the main reasons your baby can’t sleep through night is because they are not sleeping enough during the day.

Conclusion

Sleep is vital. It is important for general health for adults, teenagers, and kids, but it is more important for babies than almost anything else. It is very important that your baby get the sleep they need, and if they baby can’t sleep through night, make some of the changes mentioned above to help them.

Help! Our Baby Won’t Stay Asleep!

9 Clever, Simple Tips for When Your Baby Won’t Stay Asleep

As a parent, bringing home your newborn maybe is probably one of the most exciting things in your live thus far. But what happens when your baby won’t stay asleep? Chances are, you may be worried that you’re doing something wrong. You’re probably sleep deprived, irritable, and worried about your new baby who won’t stay asleep. Or, you may have a slightly older baby or toddler who is struggling to sleep through the night. If this is the case, never fear, we’ve all been there and there are solutions! By far, the best solution is the SleepBaby.org sleep trick.

Is your baby too tired to stay asleep?

Okay, I know this one sounds bizarre and contradictory, but if your baby is overtired and off schedule, he/she may be feeling restless, grumpy, and quite frankly, exhausted. You’re probably saying, “Well, yes, if my baby who won’t stay asleep is too tired it’s because she won’t sleep,” and that’s probably very true. So, what can you do to help combat this problem and help your baby achieve a restful sleep?

One of the best things you can try to do is to get on a consistent nap schedule for your baby who won’t stay asleep. Of course, that opens a whole new can of worms when it comes to trying to get your baby to sleep during those set nap times, but there are a few things you can notice to help catch your baby at their absolute sleepiest.

Look for signs of sleepiness: Just like with adults, this may vary, but try to learn your baby’s sleepiness cues and when you see them, it’s time to nap. These may end up happening around the same time each day.
Try not to let your baby fall asleep before you put them down for a nap: This one may not always be perfect, but you need to give it your best shot. Try to put your baby down for their nap when they’re nice and drowsy, but before they fall asleep. This will help your baby who won’t stay asleep realize that they’re falling asleep in their, “nap place,” and make them feel more secure and comfortable, increasing their chances of staying asleep.
Make it a pleasant atmosphere to sleep in: Just like us, your baby will most likely find it harder to go to sleep with loud noises and bright lights. Turn the lights down and create a relaxing, quiet environment for your baby to fall asleep to.
Consistency is key: Your goal here is to have set times for your baby to nap each day. In the beginning, you may have to catch your baby at their sleepiest and based off of that, set nap times. Try to stick to the same nap times on a daily basis in hopes that your baby will develop habits of napping at those times every day.

For a baby that is of newborn age to six weeks, there should be three to five naps per day, even if those naps are just half an hour to 1 hour long. Older babies will still need around three naps per day, but the duration of the nap time will gradually increase with age.

How’s your environment affecting your baby?

Over stimulation is one of the leading factors that makes it hard for babies to fall and stay asleep. If your baby won’t stay asleep, you may want to step back and take a look at the environment the two of you are being exposed to. Is it extremely loud and busy during all hours of the day? Your baby can become overstimulated for a variety of reasons.

Frequent location changes: If you’re having to run a lot of errands with your baby in tow, this may be affecting their ability to stay asleep. For a baby, this can be quite overwhelming if it’s happening frequently. Of course we all have to run errands, but it may help your baby’s sleep schedule if he/she can stay at home.
Throwing a lot at your baby at once: We all want our babies to have the very best chance at learning and excelling in life. We want them to have the best and most toys, especially ones that help develop their brains. That being said, it’s possible to throw too many toys at your baby at once. Try to let your baby only focus on a few toys at a time, and if they become bored, introduce more. So, how would this have an impact on your baby’s sleep? Too many toys and options may also be causing overstimulation.
You try to put your baby down for a nap directly after something stimulating and or exciting: We’re all guilty of this at one time or another. It’s been a busy day and we think our baby must be exhausted and ready to nap, but when we put them down for a nap, they either don’t fall asleep or wake up constantly. Why might this be happening? Just like you, your baby may be craving wind down time before falling asleep. Many parents suggest a wind down routine before napping and find that it can help a baby who wont’ stay asleep.

Routine is Key

When it comes to a baby who won’t stay asleep, routine and scheduling is key to finding a remedy for the problem. As parents, is all too easy to let life get in the way of a consistent schedule for our babies. That being said, if you can do your absolute best to avoid the below scheduling and routine mistakes, you will hopefully be on your way to going from having a baby who won’t stay asleep, to a baby who sleeps soundly. We’ve already talked about the benefits of providing set nap times for your babies, but naps aren’t the only things that should be routine.

Meals should be on a set schedule: So many parenting experts suggest that babies eat on a set schedule. Of course, you may find that sometimes you get a bit off schedule for one reason or another, but for a baby who won’t stay asleep, eating at specific times each and every day, has the potential to positively impact their sleeping habits.
Develop a routine, for everything: This one can sound a little daunting, but you want to provide consistency and stability for your baby who won’t stay asleep, having the same routine on a daily basis can help. So, what are we talking about? We’re talking about setting a schedule for every day activities. From bathing, to putting on PJs and having wind down time, your baby’s routine should be as close to the same every day as possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s morning, afternoon, or night, try your best to stay routine based.

Check for Pain and or Medical Conditions:

Okay, so I know this advice can sound a bit scary, but you definitely don’t want to miss anything and it can’t hurt to rule it out. If you have a baby who won’t stay asleep and you’ve tried all of the above, it can be safest to make sure that the problem isn’t caused by pain or a medical condition.

A baby who won’t stay asleep doesn’t have to have any sort of serious medical condition, it could be something as simple as acid reflux, teething, or colic, all conditions that could cause mild pain and keep your baby from falling and staying asleep.

Hopefully after trying these clever, simple steps, your baby who won’t stay asleep will be snoozing away for the whole duration of their nap. Remember, schedule, routine, stability, and consistency are key for your baby who won’t stay asleep.

Baby Won’t Sleep in Bassinet? What to Do

What To Do When Your Baby Won’t Sleep In A Bassinet

For many new parents, getting your baby to sleep is one of the hardest things to do. We are all told to have your newborn sleep on their back on a flat surface. But what do you do when your baby won’t sleep in bassinet?

For those who become a ball of nerves at even the mention of bed-sharing, a bedside bassinet is the perfect solution. However, the option will only work if your child will actually sleep while in it!

So what can you do to help your baby stay asleep in a bassinet? Read on for several simple ideas you can try at home.

Purchase A Bassinet That Moves Or Has An Incline

The most popular option for sleeping on an incline has been the Rock N’ Play. Keeping baby buckled in place while at a slight tilt, the device also offered parents the ability to rock their child, with a newer version allowing the rocking to be done automatically. The device was especially loved by parents of babies with reflux, who tend to sleep better when placed at a slight incline.

While this popular sleep choice was recently recalled earlier this year, there are several other options still available for purchase. While some devices still offer a bit of an incline, it is lesser than the recalled option. In addition, the bassinet offers a vibration feature that allows for easy soothing, or parents can manually rock the baby back and forth. The bassinet is also adjustable so it is a great option for beds of all heights and for when the baby won’t sleep in bassinet.

Meanwhile, other options such as the Rock N’ Stay offer the ability to keep baby flat on their backs for sleep time but still offer the ability to slowly rock them back and forth, helping to ease them back to sleep quickly and quietly. Whatever the choice, these bassinets are a great way to help when baby won’t sleep in bassinet.

Is your bassinet safe?

While these devices are wonderful for parents of children who do not enjoy sleeping completely flat on their backs, it is worth noting that it is important to always use the safety restraints that accompany the bassinet and to stop use of any bassinet with an incline as soon as your child is nearing the ability to, or is able to, fully roll over.

For those who already own a bassinet and do not wish to invest more money into a new one, it is possible to work with the one you already have to create an incline for when baby won’t sleep in bassinet. A foam wedge, cushion, or pad placed underneath the sheets will offer enough of an incline for some babies that they will become more comfortable and find it easier to sleep. Another option is to place a towel underneath the sheets, which offers a softer sleeping surface for when baby won’t sleep in bassinet. This last option not only creates a softer surface but also produces a natural incline as well, making it a great option for babies who suffer from colic or acid reflux.

Create A Comfortable Sleep Environment

Babies are humans too, and as such they like to be comfortable. When your baby won’t sleep in bassinet, the solution could be as simple as a change of sheets. Because newborns have highly sensitive skin, the typical baby won’t sleep in bassinet unless there are incredibly soft, safe for baby sheets covering the mattress.

Temperature and sheets:

In addition, babies love to be warm when they sleep. It is important to lay your baby down on sheets that are warm while having the room kept at a cool temperature at the same time. Look for sheets made from natural fibers such as cotton or those made from a polyester blend or combination of other synthetic fibers, as these tend to be warmer to the touch.

While the sheets should be warm, as they are replacing the mother’s arms for a restful night of sleep, the room should be kept cooler to allow for optimum comfort when a baby won’t sleep in bassinet.

Does it smell like mom?

Babies are strongly attached to the scent of their mother. As such, if your baby won’t sleep in bassinet, one simple solution is to have mom spend a few nights sleeping on the bassinet sheets so that her scent is transferred to them. This helps to make the baby feel more comfortable and may also promote sleep as a result.

If you cannot wait, you could even try to wear the sheets during the day underneath your clothes as you go about your life.

In addition to changing the sheets, another option when baby won’t sleep in bassinet is to swaddle your baby. Infants love to feel safe and snug. As such, swaddles act as a hug for an infant while they sleep and will keep them warm and feeling secure all night long. However, some children do not like to be swaddled, so this option is not for everyone. In the end, you know your child the best.

Use A Co-Sleeper

Some bassinets are available for purchase that are used on top of the parents’ bed, making the child feel more secure because their parent is closer, which may in turn help your baby to sleep for longer periods of time. Because the infant is inside his own bassinet, he will remain safe when you toss and turn at night.

Models are even available that have a removable base, meaning you can choose to use it as a bedside bassinet or co-sleeper. These are all great options for when baby won’t sleep in a bassinet, as baby feels safer and will be more comfortable and at ease.

Keep At It

In the end, your baby will become accustomed to sleeping wherever you let them sleep. If you continue to allow them to sleep in your arms, that is where they will become the most comfortable. Just like adults prefer to sleep in their own beds, infants are the same way. Over time, they become most comfortable where they are used to sleeping every night.
It may take some more time than you would like to invest, but if you continue to try to use the bassinet, your baby will eventually get used to it. Great news for parents when your baby won’t sleep in bassinet!

Try this schedule:

One method to ease your baby into using his own sleeping area is to gradually increase the amount of time that is spent in it. For a baby who will only sleep for 30 minutes at a time, try to leave him in it for 45 minutes, and then 60 minutes. This method is not for everyone as it involves not answering every one of your child’s cries. Instead, it suggests that you let your baby remain in the bassinet while you are nearby and visible to help her learn to fall asleep on their own.

While this method may not work out in one or even two nights, within time you will be grateful to have a baby who sleeps in his bed!

The bassinet could also be used during the day to get your child more comfortable being inside it when baby won’t sleep in bassinet. For example, use the bassinet after feedings and for diaper changes. Place your child in it while you fold laundry so they can get used to the feel of the mattress while seeing that you are still nearby.

Conclusion

In the end, no one knows your baby better than you. These are all suggestions, but will not work with every child. You will come to learn if your child likes to be swaddled, needs to sleep on an incline, or simply wants to smell mom while he dreams. It may take some time, but your baby will learn to sleep on their own!

Why Is My Baby Fighting Sleep?

Why do babies fight sleep?

Sleep schedules are something that every parent worries about. Babies seem to run on their own clocks no matter how hard you try to get them to fall into a pattern. There may be a point where your baby is fighting sleep, and your once-peaceful naptimes have now become nothing but torture as you try your best to lull a screaming, crying, squirming baby to sleep.

Babies fight sleep for multiple reasons, and it can happen as early as a few months old all the way through toddlerhood. As long as you know your child isn’t sick, then you may not be able to figure out why your clearly exhausted little one is refusing to doze off.

This guide will help you figure out why your baby is fighting sleep, learn how to regulate their sleep schedule and figure out how to soothe them when they refuse to go down for a nap or to bed.

Baby Sleep Schedules

Growing babies need a lot of sleep. Newborns to 6-month-olds need up to 17 hours of shut-eye each day. As they get older, babies will stop taking longer naps and begin to sleep soundly through the night.

Naps should be spaced throughout the day; if your baby sleeps too much during their nap, they’ll sleep less throughout the night and keep you awake. A sleep schedule is an important, but you also have to tune in to your baby’s individual needs.

Some parents try to force their baby to follow a particular schedule, but their baby winds up resisting because they simply aren’t tired. When it comes to your baby’s naps, focus on quality over quantity.

Your baby should naturally start sleeping throughout the night when they’re around 4 months old. Besides that, focus more on their naps and getting them to rest well rather than frequently.

How to Sleep Train Your Baby

A baby’s sleep cycle is different from an adult’s; a baby takes about 20 minutes to fall into a deep sleep, and their sleep cycle lasts 45 minutes. You naturally want to make sure your baby goes down for a nap without any hassle, but this can be a challenge if you aren’t sure how to begin sleep training.

Baby sleep training involves regulating your child’s sleep schedule, putting them down for the same time every night and ensuring they wake up around the same time every morning.

Some parents try to sleep train too early. In general, you should wait until your baby is around 4 to 5 months old since this is the age where most are capable of sleeping fully through the night. Sometimes, a baby is fighting sleep because they are too little to be sleep trained and cannot yet regulate their schedule as much as a parent would like.

Self-Soothing Strategy

One of the skills parents want their baby to learn is how to fall asleep without assistance. This requires putting your drowsy baby in their crib 10 to 20 minutes before naptime. When they begin to fuss, allow them to cry for a little while before coming in to reassure them. Gradually reduce the amount of time you come in between cires so your baby learns how to soothe themselves and go back to sleep on their own.

You will have to pay attention to the type of cry your baby makes. If they are screaming and distraught, then you should not leave them to work it out on their own. This can be detrimental to the baby’s developing attachment style.

The Chair Method

It may hurt your heart too much to let your child cry on their own in a dark nursery. That’s more than understandable. To put your mind at ease and bring your baby additional comfort, start by putting them down to sleep while you sit in a chair beside their crib.

Comfort them when they wake, and then, move the chair a bit further away from the crib until you reach the doorway. Then, sit outside of the room. Eventually your baby will be able to sleep on their own without needing you nearby as soon as they wake.

Reasons Your Baby Is Fighting Sleep

Your baby is clearly tired, arching their back, squeezing their little fists and wailing. But they aren’t hungry. They aren’t in need of a diaper change. They don’t want to be cuddled or sushed to sleep, so what’s wrong?

Below are the most common reasons you’ll find your baby fighting sleep. Understanding them will save you a lot of guilt and frustration as you helplessly try to soothe them when nothing seems to work.

They Are Napping Too Frequently

As mentioned above, a healthy sleep schedule is important. If your baby is fighting sleep before their last nap or bedtime, it’s probably because they’re napping too much. Undertired babies do not want to lay in their crib in the dark. They will become agitated as they are falsely lulled into sleep.

You may want to try letting your baby take shorter naps throughout the day rather than two or three long ones. It will take some trial and error to find the right balance, but you’ll be amazed at how easily your baby goes to sleep once you’ve gotten the right schedule.

They Are Overtired

Babies can only handle certain amounts of wakefulness before they become tired. Even though they may not be fully ready to doze off, a baby that is overtired is also likely to become overstimulated.

You should look for sleep cues that indicate your baby is ready for a nap. These are:

Rubbing their eyes or becoming distracted, avoiding stimulation.
If old enough, saying “no” or becoming fussy when you try to interact with them.
Trying to self-soothe by thumb-sucking or using a pacifier.
Hiccuping, sneezing, yawning. Some newborns may have blueness around the mouth.

Use some calming sensory input to help stop a baby from fighting sleep when they’re overtired. Newborns can be swaddled as the deep pressure can be relaxing. Put on some baby sleep sounds and gently rock your baby in a dark room until they are ready to be put down.

If they’re already overtired and not sleep-trained, just putting them in their crib won’t bode well. You’ll have to calm their bodies and minds until they can naturally fall asleep.

The Room Is Uncomfortable

Is your nursery too bright? Are there loud noises such as a TV or washing machine that could be waking up your baby? The right sleep environment is crucial to your baby’s well-being.

Temperature

Overheating increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in babies under 6 months of age. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature the same way we do, so the right temperature is important for their safety.

You should keep your baby’s room between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit and make adjustments when you consider their sleepwear, i.e. long-sleeves, footed pajamas, sleeper sacks, etc.

Lighting

The room should be dark and free of any distractions. Light triggers cortisol, the hormone that makes your baby feel alert and awake. If you have a naturally bright space, consider investing in some room-darkening shades that will help your baby sleep easier.

A baby fighting sleep may not have the right environment, so their body tells them it’s time to wake up even though their brain is ready for rest.

Sleep Positioners

Some parents believe that a sleep positioner will reduce the risk of SIDS, but the FDA has not approved any for this use. According to the American Pediatrics Association, sleep wedges, positioners, and specialized mattresses have not been proven to reduce the risk of suffocation or SIDS.

Instead, put your baby to sleep on their back during the first year of life. If your little one is able to roll over on their own, then you can leave them on their side or stomach if they turn over.

Stop swaddling your baby when they are able to roll to reduce the risk of strangulation.

They’re Experiencing Separation Anxiety

Babies start to experience separation anxiety between 6 to 8 months of age. This continues until they are around 2. Separation anxiety can lead to sleep regression, which will have your baby fighting sleep whenever you leave the room. This is because your baby has become aware that when you are gone, you haven’t simply disappeared. They understand that you have left without them, and they will become upset and begin to cry as a result.

Sleep training can help combat the effects of separation anxiety, but routine and reassurance are the best remedies.

Coping With a Baby Fighting Sleep

It’s important for parents to help one another as they cope with their own loss of sleep. A baby that doesn’t want to go to bed subsequently keeps the whole household up as well. Tired babies are not happy babies, and they will generally cry, fuss and even scream as exhaustion sets in.

You’re only human, so it’s natural to feel frustrated when you are also tired and just want to sleep. You may have gotten used to using your baby’s naptime as a chance to catch up on some much-needed Z’s yourself. Now, you find all your energy going into pacifying a baby that you know wants to sleep but simply refuses.

Don’t feel guilty for being annoyed or worn out by your baby. Although it isn’t easy to deal with a baby fighting sleep, you will be able to work through it. If you’re really struggling to keep your child on a sleep schedule, talk to your pediatrician. They can provide you with some safe ways to stop your baby fighting sleep.

Sleep Training 2-Year-Old: Tips & Tricks

How to Sleep Train a 2-Year-Old

We’ve all heard of the terrible twos, the toddler stage of baby development that leaves many parents exhausted and exasperated that their once quiet and compliant infant suddenly turns into a toddler that doesn’t want to do anything a parent says to do.

Okay, the terrible twos certainly have their fair share of power struggles, as toddlers become more independent and start to learn how to communicate with adults and other children, but there are some not-so-terrible moments in the toddler development cycle, too. For example, toddlers eventually learn to say “I love you” to mom, dad, and anyone else they choose, and those moments can make all the terrible stuff very worth it.

Despite the heartwarming moments, one of the areas of life that might become most difficult is in the area of bedtime. Toddlers are very excited about their new developing brains. They’re seeing and hearing things for the first time in life, and they’re able to communicate that excitement for the first time. And this excitement can spell doom for regular sleep patterns of both toddlers and parents.

Toddlers are also going through the sometimes confusing push and pull of still relying for parents on almost everything while also trying to communicate their own unique set of wants and needs. Sleep training 2 year old toddlers can sometimes be the answer to your bedtime nightmare.

What Is Sleep Training?

Sleep training is used to address a host of sleep problems that sometimes toddlers have. Many of those toddlers might have had difficulty sleeping when they were very young infants, but it’s not to late to start sleep training 2 year old if you feel like there’s a serious problem going on.

Talking to a pediatrician about it first is never a bad idea, but if you’re here to get an idea of what sleep training is, this is a good start to explore so you can seriously discuss it with your pediatrician.

If you haven’t heard of the 18-month sleep regression, here it is. It basically means that your adorable toddler is still waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes showing up to sleep in the same room with you. It’s problematic for many parents and more common than you’d think. If your toddler is experiencing this, it can be a true nightmare for both of you. They’re irritable and unable to sleep through the night and by extension you can’t either.

If this is your situation, sleep training is one possible answer. Toddlers who still require parental assistance to get to sleep are in a state of regression. Now this is according to some experts. Other experts aren’t as alarmed about this behavior, but if you’re reading this, you’re obviously in the category of people who feel this behavior is problematic.

Before thinking of sleep training, tick off all the basics of a toddler’s normal nighttime routine and make sure that your toddler is already sleeping the way they should and still having trouble sleeping at night. Toddler’s should have one or two daytime naps.

A bedtime for a toddler should be between 6 PM and 8 PM (every parent has a different style and schedule to adhere to). If your toddler is still waking up during the night and making their twos terrible for you, sleep training is one possible solution but by no means the only one. Sleep training is simply one behavioral treatment technique for toddlers who cannot sleep through the night.

Sleep Training 2-Year-Old

Sleep training 2 year old toddlers works for some parents. This is where it’s time to lay down the law, albeit gently, about bedtimes. It’s training your 2 year old to sleep through the night via more parental control than other parents normally have to use. And that’s okay! Not every toddler is just alike and some will have sleep disturbances during the night. You’re just one of those parents who has to put a little extra effort into your nighttime routine.

Experts believe that sleep training 2 year old toddlers requires more parental rules. You’re going to need to have a nighttime routine, such as maybe taking a bath or reading a story to your toddler. This will relax the 2 year old.

Sleep is all about relaxation and shutting down those little minds. More easily excitable 2 year olds are going to need a different nighttime routine than a 2 year old who’s asleep before their head hits the pillow. A nighttime routine should involve a 30 minute relaxing activity before bedtime (reading a story to your toddler is a great idea). This will be the beginning of sleep training 2 year old toddlers.

Once your toddler’s routine is completed, it’s time to lay down the law. This means making it very clear to your toddler that during the night, everyone in the household sleeps. They don’t leave their sleep area.

Of course, some toddlers are going to fight back against this and argue, and that’s to be excepted. You wouldn’t be looking up sleep training 2 year old toddlers if everything was going swimmingly at bedtime. Some parents make a chart or something visible that their 2 year old can understand and explain more in-depth what the rules are. Something tangible that they can look at and see to connect with the rules might help.

Finally, although sleep training a 6 month old might have a nightly “check-in,” (known as the Ferber Method), a toddler can protest when you check in. So you use “cry it out” if they protest. No check-ins here.

Different Sleep Training Methods

Sleep training toddlers can be a truly interesting experience for parents. It takes a lot of work and dedication to stick with this method and make sure that your toddler adheres to the rules, but if you can get the training down and see results, it’s a huge sense of accomplishment for both parents and toddlers.

If you’re sleep training 2 year old toddlers, you’re definitely going to have some push back from some toddlers. They may cry. They may throw temper tantrums. You may have situations you have to deal with on the fly, without any professional helping you.

Before sleep training a child of this age, it’s important to talk to a professional about this method. Your pediatrician can give you a lot more in-depth information about it and whether it’s right for you and your toddler.

Every toddler is different and their bedtime routine will vary, but sleep training has certainly worked for many parents, so it may just be the answer to your nighttime blues. A toddler waking up in the middle of the night is never a pleasant thing for them or parents, but all toddlers have their reasons for their behavior.

Parents just can’t always know what the reason is. Sometimes it’s that the child is too attached to parents and wants to stick to the old ways. Other times it could be a power issue or a testing boundaries issue. You’re the law here, though.

Before sleep training 2 year old toddlers, ask yourself the following questions:

Is my child healthy and not sick right now?
Are they waking up in the middle of the night to the point where it disrupts the household?
Have they been getting appropriate amount of naps during the day?

If the answer to these questions is yes, it may be time to consider using the sleep training 2 year old toddler method.

It’ll take a bit of patience on your part, a lot of research, and perhaps even a trip in to talk to your pediatrician, but if you decide to go this route, the reward can be a refreshing night of sleep for you and the whole family, including your adorable toddler.

9 Month Sleep Regression: What to Know

When your baby has reached 9 months old, you have likely experienced at least one stage of sleep regression already. Unfortunately, that is not the end of this unfavorable part of parenting an infant. Around 9 months old, your baby will likely experience 9 month sleep regression, leaving both of you with little sleep and exhausting days.

Before going further into this topic, let’s talk about what 9 month sleep regression actually is. When your baby experiences sleep regression, you will notice big changes in their sleeping habits. Sleep regression generally comes in the form of sleeping less, waking more, and having more trouble falling asleep right around their 9th month. This chaotic and stressful time is nearly impossible to avoid.

When Does 9 Month Sleep Regression Happen?

This may seem like a question with an obvious answer, but it isn’t as simple as it sounds. The 9 month sleep regression can begin at any time between eight and ten months. This stage of sleep regression has a wide variation on dates, and it generally occurs once your baby begins moving around and interacting with the world around them a little more.

Why Does 9 Month Sleep Regression Happen?

There are a few different reasons that may be causing your baby to experience sleep regression around the 9th month, and it is nothing that you are doing wrong. Many times, as parents, we blame ourselves when our child experiences anything unpleasant, but you can’t do that in this situation. There are some theories behind why it may happen, but it is essentially just considered a part of parenting that we have to get through.

Mental and Physical Learning

One of the reasons for 9 month sleep regression includes the amount of learning your child is doing. Between learning to pull themselves up on furniture, sitting, crawling, learning to talk, and figuring out how to manipulate toys, your 9-month-old may want to spend time exploring rather than resting. Since your baby is learning that they can do more than just lie around and sleep, they want to spend as much time as possible moving and learning.

Skipping a Nap

Another reason that 9 month sleep regression happens is that at this point in your baby’s life, they are likely skipping their last nap of the day. This leaves your child feeling more tired, which, believe it or not, causes them to have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep at night. Your baby will still wake early in the morning, even with this missed nap, further limiting the amount of sleep the two of you are getting.

Separation Anxiety

A third reason that sleep regression may be happening is separation anxiety. When your baby begins to recognize their favorite people, toys, or animals, they may start having a hard time being away, even for sleep. This generally occurs right around 9 months, so it makes sense that it could cause the sleep regression.

Is 9 Month Sleep Regression Normal?

Sleep regression is not only normal, but almost all babies (and parents! We lose sleep, too!) go through it at 4 months and again at 9 months. Suffering through it is just an expected part of parenting, unfortunately. There are some methods you can try for easing the regression, but they are not guaranteed to help make the situation any easier.

What Are The Signs of 9 Month Sleep Regression?

You may notice that your baby begins waking up more than usual during the night, taking less frequent or shorter naps, having trouble falling asleep, and just being overall more cranky and attached to you.

While those signs alone may not indicate sleep regression, there are certain behaviors that you can watch for. If your baby cries out for you during the night at times they normally wouldn’t or when you know they aren’t hungry, it is a good indication of sleep regression.

A further indication that this is sleep regression is if your baby wakes at an unusual time and then stays awake for a while before going back to sleep. This shows that your baby is regressing in their sleeping habits, as well as if they take much shorter naps than usual during the day.

How You Can Help Your Baby Sleep

While 9 month sleep regression is difficult to get through and may seem like it’ll never end, there are a couple of things you can try to get your baby to sleep better which, in turn, means that you should be able to sleep better. These ideas include:

Sticking to your regular sleep schedule whenever possible.
Avoid creating new habits during the sleep regression that will be difficult to break later.
Giving your child an earlier bedtime.
Be consistent.
Be patient and support your baby through the rough nights.
Never sneak away from your child, because it could cause further separation anxiety.
Make sure your baby’s bedroom is dark, cool, and play sound white noise.
Ensure your baby has a clean diaper and full stomach.
Help your baby practice their new skills often throughout the day, so they won’t spend their bed or nap time practicing on their own.

The only sure thing to do, however, is to wait it out. Unlike the 4 month sleep regression, the 9 month regression is just a waiting game. All you can do is be supportive, and ensure that you are giving your baby every opportunity to sleep well.

How Long Will 9 Month Sleep Regression Last?

The actual length of time you can expect a 9 month sleep regression to last varies greatly from child to child. You can, however, expect the regression to last anywhere from two to six weeks. While this may seem like a long, exhausting process, it will pass eventually.

Other Information to Know About 9 Month Sleep Regression

It isn’t permanent.
Sleep regression doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your parenting or with your baby.
Not all sleep issues qualify as sleep regression. If the problems have been happening since before the 8th month, there is likely a different issue going on.
Too much parental intervention during a sleep regression can make this stage last longer, so avoid intervening as much as possible.

Final Thoughts On 9 Month Sleep Regression

Sleep regression is a hard time for your baby, but it is hard on you, too. You may begin to think that you’ll never get through it, but it’ll be over before you know it. By following tips from experienced mothers, you may be able to find at least a little relief.

While it may be difficult, try to enjoy the extra cuddles and time spent with your baby. This is the perfect time for you to strengthen the bond you have with your baby, after all.

Support your baby during the 9 month sleep regression, and try to stick to your normal routine. You just have to wait it out, and your baby will return to normal before you know it.

Baby Won’t Sleep? 20 Common Reasons and Solutions

20 Reasons Your Baby (Or Newborn) Won’t Sleep

If your baby won’t sleep, you should remember that baby sleep is much different than adult sleep. Many of the things that drive us insane are developmentally normal behavior. An example of this fact is a newborn won’t sleep because he or she needs to feed often. Newborns tend to eat eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period and gradually transition to more extended periods of sleep.

Typically, you can expect your baby can’t sleep for more than four to five hours at a time until they reach the age of three months. However, when a baby is not sleeping, it can be caused by a variety of other items. This article will explain 20 common baby sleep problems and provide you with excellent solutions for the issue.

Sleep Problem #1: Not Drowsy

What It Looks Like

When a baby won’t sleep, he or she may not appreciate that the nighttime is the time for sleeping. If he or she does not, it can be an uphill battle to convince the baby to sleep.

A common baby sleep problem is a newborn can’t sleep because he or she hasn’t developed circadian rhythms. Most newborns do not develop these hormonally driven rhythms until they reach about three months old. However, if an older baby is not sleeping, it could be a lack of these hormonal rhythms, also.

Some babies take even longer to develop strong circadian rhythms. These rhythms are the internal clocks that sync with the 24-hour day and tell us when it is time to be awake and when to be asleep. When a newborn is not sleeping due to this issue, many people believe that they just have to wait it out.

When a baby is in the womb, his or her heartbeat and respiratory rates increase and decrease based on Mom’s schedule. These periods of increase and decrease are based on Mom’s level of activity and the melatonin. This hormone affects the baby’s internal clock. When the baby is born, the melatonin from the mother is removed, and the baby must produce it on his or her own.

Even though this issue is a developmental issue, you can lay the groundwork to help young infants to attune faster. A newborn won’t sleep properly until these rhythms are created. An older baby can’t sleep either unless the groundwork has been established.

What To Do About It

You can help your baby by following these few suggestions:

Expose your baby to daylight in the morning and early afternoon
Encourage your infant to wake up at the same time every morning
Increase your baby’s involvement in everyday activities
Avoid artificial light exposure

This last suggestion is a proven tactic to help babies who are not sleeping correctly. Blue light can block melatonin, a hormone produced by your brain to promote sleepiness. When your infant is exposed to a small amount of blue light, it can stop him or her from feeling drowsy or becoming sleepy for over an hour.

This same issue applies to adults as well. You can find a variety of articles about the effects of artificial lighting. It is possible to help everyone in your family sleep better by tackling blue light exposure. It may be worth trying this sleep solution first.

Sleep Problem #2: Hunger

What It Looks Like

A newborn’s need to eat counteracts the tactics you may have tried in the above step. This common baby sleep problem may be the most prevalent reasons a newborn is not sleeping at night.

A typically baby will follow this schedule for feeding:

Newborns eat every two to three hours or 8 to 12 times each day. The amount they eat will range from ½ ounce the first few days to 3 ounces by the end of the first month of life.
A two-month-old will need four to five ounces every three to four hours.
A four-month-old will eat four to six ounces every three to four hours.
At six months old, a baby will enjoy eight ounces of formula every four to five hours.

A newborn can’t sleep when he or she is hungry, so at first, no solution may be available for this sleep issue. Young babies have to be feed frequently to grow and thrive, and a baby can’t sleep if they need this nutrient every few hours. However, the following techniques may improve your ability to sleep even though the baby is not sleeping through the night.

What To Do About It

When a newborn won’t sleep due to hunger pains, you can help increase the amount of sleep by dream feeding. This technique suggests you feed your baby a big meal right before you plan to go to sleep. This meal will help your baby feel full to allow you to sleep longer.

If a baby won’t sleep for more extended periods of time, you can try to add a brief delay before feeding the baby when he or she wakes in the middle of the night. For example, you can change the baby’s diaper or talk soothingly to him or her before picking him or her up for the feeding.

This technique will help eliminate the baby’s association with night waking and feeding. Because of a baby’s need to feed during the night, almost all infants develop this association. When a newborn comes home from the hospital, you should always feed on command to ensure the baby thrives.

However, as the baby gets older, you can begin to try these strategies to help you sleep better for more extended periods. As long as your baby is getting the appropriate amount of food and fluids and your pediatrician approves, these techniques can only help to improve your sleep patterns.

Sleep Problem #3: Bedtime Too Exciting

What It Looks Like

When a newborn is not sleeping, you probably just want to play and cuddle. As he or she gets older and the baby is not sleeping, you may want to encourage developmental steps including making sounds, holding the head up, etc.

These practices are excellent for a developing baby. However, when a baby won’t sleep, research supports that some parents make bedtime too active. This common baby sleep problem gets the baby excited right before bed, making it harder for the baby to fall asleep.

The baby’s sympathetic nervous system is animated by rambunctious play and energetic talk, which means the baby can’t sleep. As a parent, you may enjoy cuddling with your baby while watching TV or playing on a touch screen.

However, a survey of over 700 parents revealed that a newborn who was exposed to these types of devices took longer to fall asleep at bedtime. This research also suggested that a newborn won’t sleep unless he or she experiences a quiet time before bed.

What To Do About It

When a newborn can’t sleep due to over-excitement before bedtime, the first step can be to establish a relaxing bedtime routine. This routine can include:

Limit screen time at least two to three hours before the desired time
Take a bath with lavender soap to help baby relax
Sing soothing songs or listen to white noise or other calming music
Cuddle with the baby for a while to help him or her feel secure
Feed the baby right before baby and change the diaper

Regular bedtime routines will be discussed further in Sleep Problem #4. Another important consideration for a baby who is too excited to sleep is to move the bedtime. If a baby sleeps from 2 in the afternoon until 4, he or she may not be ready for bed at 6:30 or 7:00.If you have other children in the house, you may want to establish an “in the bedroom time” every night. This time can be an hour or two before all the children should be in bed. During this time, your older children do not have to be in bed, but they do have to be in their rooms.

This strategy helps the baby realize everyone is settling down to sleep. It will also help the older children prepare their bodies for sleep. It can be a lifesaver for those parents who struggle with getting older kids to go to sleep.

Sleep Problem #4: Lack Of Routine

What It Looks Like

When a newborn is not sleeping, a common baby sleep problem is a lack of routine. Research suggests that babies who observe a regular bedtime with a routine sleep longer at night.

When a baby is not sleeping, a consistent bedtime routine may help the child fall asleep faster and reduce the times the baby can’t sleep after waking. This routine can be simple and includes such items as:

Bathing
Softly Singing
Dressing for bed
Bedtime story

After reading all 20 sleep problems, you will notice that regular routines are suggested a lot when a newborn can’t sleep. This strategy is recommended so often when a newborn won’t sleep because various studies have proven it to be effective.

What To Do About It

Some parents do not believe that regular bedtimes are necessary to avoid sleep trouble. However, the cross-cultural studies associated with sleep issues in babies support another opinion. You will find bedtime for babies is different around the world.

Some mothers or dads have a fluid bedtime while others have an irregular time. Bedtime can be full of fanfare or nothing when a baby won’t sleep. The research suggests that most bedtimes are irregular and without any fanfare. Everyone will have an opinion about set bedtimes etc.

Some information you should consider is that irregular bedtimes can create random morning wake-up times. When a baby wakes up at different times in the morning, it can disrupt a new circadian rhythm. This disruption can cause the baby to mixed up days and nights.

Another item to consider is that when a baby sleeps less at night, he or she must sleep more during the day to make up for the missed sleep. Babies typically take short naps during the day. However, if your baby’s naps are disrupted during the day, it may make him or her overtired, which will cause more sleep issues.

A routine can help eliminate these two issues quickly. Setting a bedtime routine as a family will help increase the amount of sleep everyone in the house gets. This change will help everyone feel less tired during the day, so it may be worth to try a set routine.

Sleep Problem #5: Wrong Bedtime

What It Looks Like

When a baby won’t sleep and you are tired, it is normal to try to force bedtime. Sometimes a parent can overestimate the sleep requirements of a baby.

These two issues can lead to a common baby sleep problem. At first, the baby resists bedtime, making it impossible for him or her to sleep. A newborn won’t sleep if you are trying to force him or her to bed. Another issue happens over time, which is the baby may associate bedtime with the failure to sleep.

This association happens when a baby is not sleeping and develops a resistance to sleep or insomnia. The other side of this issue is when parents try to make the baby stay awake too long. A baby can’t sleep if he or she is irritable due to lack of sleep.

A newborn is not sleeping and is very active and energetic. This situation makes it easy to keep the baby awake too long because it can be confusing when a newborn can’t sleep and active.

This activity makes you think the baby is not yet ready for sleep. However, the baby may be overtired, which means instead of being alert because he or she is well-rested, he or she is actually active because his or her stress response system is in high gear.

What To Do About It

The first step in solving this issue is to determine if the baby is overtired. You can look for the following signs to help you decide whether he or she is over-tired or not:

Lack of interest in people and the environment

Avoids stimulating objects
Pulling on ears or rubbing eyes
Yawning
Eyelids flutter
Clingy
More active as the night continues

This step is vital to understanding your baby’s needs. With this information, you can begin to decide if your baby’s bedtime is too early or too late. If you think the baby’s bedtime is too early, you may want to push it back.

However, you can help your child adjust to the time set by establishing positive routines around the set bedtime. You can also leave the room, so you are not continuing to stimulate the baby. Another technique is to use the ‘cry it out’ method.

If you determine the bedtime is too late, pick an earlier time to stop the baby from becoming overtired. Along with an earlier bedtime, you can also help your baby wind down by using low-key soothing bedtime rituals.

Sleep Problem #6: Intervening Too Quick

What It Looks Like

When a baby is asleep, he or she will sometimes cry out or make noises. These babies are still asleep or only half awake. Babies are sleep talkers, and when you intervene too quickly, then a baby won’t sleep.

This mistake is a common baby sleep problem for new parents because it is easy to misunderstand the difference between this fitful sleep and when the baby is not sleeping. When you touch or talk to your baby during this time, you are actually waking the child.

A baby can spontaneously resettle themselves sometimes during this fitful sleeping pattern. A study was conducted, which showed that some babies waking in the night would go back to sleep quietly while others fussed for a short time and then went back to sleep.

However, when a parent talked or touched the baby, all of he or she awoke. These same parents said that their newborn is not sleeping through the night when asked.

What To Do About It

Most parents believe they are proactive by intervening quickly. They think that responding rapidly will help the baby go back to sleep fast. You may feel that your newborn can’t sleep or your newborn won’t sleep.

However, you may be interfering with a tired baby or awakening a sleeping baby. This issue can be easily fixed by following these steps before intervening:

First, you should allow your baby a minute or two to settle back down before taking any action. You will know after a minute if the baby can’t sleep or not.
After one minute, you can walk closer to the crib, but don’t talk or touch the baby.
If the baby is not screaming but just moving and crying out, you should continue not to speak or affect the baby.
If the crying is increasing, you can now gently pat the baby’s back of talk soothingly, but try not to pick the baby up unless it is feeding time.

You can avoid becoming the cause of your infant’s sleep problems with these steps. Another technique used by some experts is to allow the baby to ‘cry it out.’ However, this technique is not always as effective as the above-listed steps.

Sleep Problem #7: Wake Up Time Too Interesting

What It Looks Like

When a baby won’t sleep, sometimes it causes you to have the same issue. Your newborn is not sleeping, and you are not sleeping, so why not entertain you both with some bonding time.

This statement may sound fantastic at first, but it may make it where your newborn won’t sleep because he or she is having too much fun. Too much stimulation at bedtime makes it where a baby can’t sleep, but another common baby sleep problem is too much stimulation after waking during the night.

Some people do not realize that babies are born knowing how to be a social being. They know how to:

Identify loved one’s voice
Detect the differences in people’s faces
Communicate with you and others
Understand your displeasure and other feelings

Recognize their native language when spokenWhen a baby is not sleeping, he or she can easily be stimulated by your voice or other ways of communication because he or she is equipped to be a social creature. When a newborn can’t sleep, you should be sure not to make wake-ups too exciting.

What To Do About It

You can solve this issue by not engaging the baby in conversation or play. This one step will help to ensure your baby goes back to sleep quickly. Sometimes, your baby has a variety of nighttime needs.

When taking care of these needs, you should do it quietly and efficiently. Another technique is to do these things in the dark so you can avoid artificial lighting, especially blue light. If your baby does not go back to sleep, you should never engage in play or create a loud atmosphere.

Instead, you can try playing soft music or white noise to help lure the baby back to sleep. You can use reassuring quiet words or gentle kiss but try to avoid loud, exciting voices. Some mothers recommend swaddling the baby to help him or her ease back into sleep.

The most important piece of advice is not to play with your baby during the wake ups at night because it can cause the baby to want to wake up during the night.

Sleep Problem #8: Inconsistent

What It Looks Like

When a baby won’t sleep, you become tired and maybe frustrated. It is easy to begin to go through the motions when you have no energy because your newborn is not sleeping. This rote way of creating a bedtime routine can cause sleep problems for your child.

This tired mind issue can also make you get off-track quickly from a bedtime routine. When a baby can’t sleep, you may use overly-stimulating soothing techniques on certain nights. Other times when your baby is not sleeping, you may believe nothing is working and use a ‘cry it out’ method.

This changing of techniques is human nature and happens to almost every new mom when a newborn won’t sleep. However, these inconsistencies can be confusing for your baby, which then turns into a common baby sleep problem. When a newborn can’t sleep, this confusion can even make sleep problems worse.

What To Do About It

You can avoid this simple mistake by creating a single, consistent approach to the baby’s sleep problems. This plan can be written down so the tired mind can easily follow it. The first step is to determine a sleep pattern for your newborn.

Each baby has a sleep pattern during the different developmental stages:

0-3 months- short bouts of sleep with lots of movement- total average of sleep is 13 to 16 hours a day
3-4 months- extended periods of sleep (five hours or more)-total sleep average is 12 to 16 hours
5-6 months- sleeps without interruption for five to 10 hours a night- total sleep average is still 12 to 16 hours
7-12 months- some infants are still not sleeping longer than five hours a night- the standard is still 12 to 16 hours each day

These sleep patterns can help you decide which approach is best for you, but remember that a variety of outside factories affect these patterns. When you plan a sleep approach for your baby, it also has psychological benefits for you.

This plan will stop the inconsistencies and remove the feelings of frustration, despair, and guilt parents sometimes feel when a baby won’t sleep. Your sense of competence and confidence will be boosted when the plan works.

Sleep Problem #9: Napping Too Late

What It Looks Like

When trying to sleep, it becomes an automatic process which is out of your control. You are at the mercy of biological processes which cannot be completely controlled.

When a baby won’t sleep, these two biological processes may not be developed completely. The first process is called the circadian rhythm, which is also called the ‘body clock.’ This clock tells your baby when it is time to be awake and when it is time to be asleep. It takes time for this clock to develop. This common baby sleep problem is discussed in Sleep Problem #1.

The other process is known as Sleep Homeostasis or Sleep Pressure. Sleep pressure is your body’s natural physiological urge to sleep. This pressure increases the longer you are awake. So, when a baby can’t sleep at night, it should not be surprising.

A baby who has been awake for only a few hours after a long afternoon nap will have trouble falling asleep at night.

What To Do About It

If your newborn is not sleeping at night, an excellent first step is to try to extend the last waking period of your baby’s day. This statement means not to allow your baby to fall asleep in the afternoon.

When a baby is not sleeping at night, he or she will probably want to sleep during the day. This desire will make keeping him or her awake in the afternoon difficult. Using this technique, when a newborn can’t sleep will require you to be patient because you cannot create the perfect schedule immediately.

This goal can be completed in small steps. For example, when a newborn won’t sleep, set the new nap time about 30 minutes before he or she would previously nap. Over a week or so, you can continue to make the last nap of the day earlier.

Another strategy to help to accomplish making a longer last waking time is to increase the length of the morning nap. You can do this by trying the following procedures:

Fill the baby’s belly before nap time
Establish a calming pre-nap routine
Ensure the nap space is nap-friendly
Create a consistent nap schedule

When other parents have lengthened the sleep pressure building time, they have reported that their babies needed less help getting settled and did not experience as many sleep problems.

Sleep Problem #10: Self-Soother

What It Looks Like

When a baby won’t sleep, a common baby sleep problem is the baby does not know how to self-soothe. If a newborn is not sleeping, sometimes you may tell yourself you have to wait until the baby is older.

However, science has proven that humans wake up at all ages during the night frequently. Most of the time, people do not remember these awakenings the following day. They have learned over the years how to self-soothe themselves back to sleep. So, hoping for elimination of night awakenings is probably not a realistic plan.

These same awakenings happen when a baby can’t sleep. However, when a baby is not sleeping, it is likely the baby has not learned to self-soothe. Some babies, when left alone, can resettle themselves without stress or waking others.

What To Do About It

Some experts advise you to avoid soothing a baby to sleep. Our natural tendency when a newborn can’t sleep is to feed, rock, hold him or her until asleep. However, research shows that babies who fall asleep in the arms of a parent are less likely to be a self-soother. These same parents also report more night wakings.

It sounds simple to withdraw from trying to put the baby to sleep. However, it is natural for a baby to cry and protest when you do not engage in this behavior. Some babies will experience separation anxiety if you are not present.

Some experts suggest that soothing a baby to sleep trains the child to associated sleep with this soothing. This association makes it almost impossible for the child to sleep without the soothing. These facts make it complicated when trying to create a self-soother.

When a newborn won’t sleep, you can avoid intervening too soon as discussed previously. However, you can try other steps to encourage self-soothing. These tips will help your baby become a self-soother without you having to withdraw:

Use a musical crib toy to soothe the baby
Be sure to be consistent at bedtime and follow the routine
Establish and maintain a calming night waking routine
Practice allowing the baby to fall asleep on his or her own
Wear a piece of clothing like a scarf during the day and then hang it near the baby while he or she is napping or at night

Sleep Problem #11: Resisting Back Sleeping

What It Looks Like

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) introduced a recommendation in 1992 that a baby can’t sleep on his or her tummy due to an increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Since the introduction of this recommendation, the rate of SIDS has dramatically reduced.

You probably know this fact, and you always put your baby on his or her back to sleep. However, your baby won’t sleep lying on his or her back. A newborn won’t sleep, or possibly a newborn can’t sleep while lying on his or her back may be a sign of a common baby sleep problem.

If your baby fusses or cannot settle when you put her or him down to sleep on the back, it can mean that the baby is feeling insecure. A baby feels more secure on his or her tummy. You may be frustrated with this situation, but do not worry. Your newborn is not sleeping on his or her back, but there are some strategies to help with this issue.

What To Do About It

When your baby is not sleeping on his or her back, the first step is to consult with your pediatrician. A doctor may want to check the baby for any physical explanations for being uncomfortable sleeping on the back. Some physical explanations for discomfort while the baby is lying his or her back include:

Muscle pain
Joint pain
Back pain
GERD
Muscle Strain
Constipation
Broken bones

However, it is unlikely that the issue is associated with a physical explanation. Most likely, the problem comes from the baby not feeling as secure on his or her back as he or she does on the tummy. If security is the issue, you may want to swaddle your baby. You can also try rocking the baby to sleep.

It would be best to try to skip the sleep positioner, because a consistent routine may have better results. It can be exasperating, but keep laying the baby on the back. Eventually, he or she will get used to this position and fall asleep.

Sleep Problem #12: Teething

What It Looks Like

When a baby can’t sleep, another common baby sleep problem is teething. When your baby shows any of the following signs, he or she may be teething:

Excessive Biting
Excessive Drooling
Irritability
Ear Pulling
Rash around the Mouth
Loss of Appetite
Baby is not Sleeping

A baby won’t sleep if the pain from teething is waking her or him. Some individuals believe that when a newborn is not sleeping, it cannot be teething pain because the baby is too young. This belief is wrong because teething related sleep issues can start at any age during the first year.

A newborn can’t sleep if his or her gums are being bothersome. Some infants get their first tooth at two to three months, which means a newborn won’t sleep. However, other babies do not get their first tooth until over the age of one. One of the ways to tell if teething is the issue is to look for other symptoms of teething.

These symptoms may not be present when the baby wakes at night, but look for them during the day to provide you with insight into the cause of the baby not sleeping.

What To Do About It

Once you are reasonably sure the issue is teething, you can take some steps in helping your baby. You should never ignore your baby; however, you can try avoiding picking him or her up when they wake in the middle of the night.

Instead of holding the baby, you can try to offer a teething ring. You can also sing a lullaby, play soothing music, provide white noise, or give gentle words and pats. This alternative to picking the baby up leaves room for him or her to settle down on his or her own.

If none of this suggestions work, you may try rubbing a cold, clean washcloth on your baby’s gums. The roughness of the washcloth may provide some relief from swollen or painful gums.

If your baby shows signs of severe pain from teething, you should contact your pediatrician. The doctor may recommend giving the baby some infant acetaminophen at bedtime to help him or her sleep better without pain.

Sleep Problem #13: GERD

What It Looks Like

Sometimes when a baby won’t sleep, it is caused by a medical condition. An example of a common baby sleep problem associated with a medical issue is GERD. GERD is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Acid Reflux.

Almost all newborns and infants have experiences some amount of discomfort from GERD. However, a baby can’t sleep if he or she is experiencing severe acid reflux or pain. When a newborn is not sleeping, he or she may be having a reflux episode.

Some babies suffer acid reflux more than others, which may be the reason the baby is not sleeping. This fact is back by a variety of studies which monitored the esophageal acid levels in newborns. After a reflux episode, the newborn can’t sleep more often than at another time.

Acid reflux is not classified as a disease until it causes the following symptoms:

Refuses to feed
Blood in stool or vomit
Anemia or iron deficiency
Failure to thrive
Inflamed esophagus

When your baby exhibits the above symptoms, he or she may be experiencing GERD. However, if your baby is only showing some of these symptoms, he or she may be suffering from a less severe form of acid reflux referred to as GER.

What To Do About It

At first, this common sleep issue may seem scary. You must remember that acid reflux is normal in babies. If your newborn won’t sleep or shows other signs of the less severe GER, you can help by following some tips.

You should avoid acidic foods when breastfeeding or feeding your baby. After feeding your baby, you can place him or her in an upright position for about 20 minutes or so. These two tips can help reduce acid reflux and improve baby’s sleep at night.

It is vital to contact your doctor if you believe your baby has the more severe GERD. A physician has a variety of tests that can help diagnose this condition. These tests include endoscopies and esophageal pH tests.

If your baby does suffer from this more severe form of acid reflux, he or she may need specialized treatments such as medication therapy. These treatments help to prevent damage to the esophagus as well as prevent the baby from choking.

Sleep Problem #14: Allergy

What It Looks Like

A common baby sleep problem is allergies. Typically, a baby does not eat anything but formula or breastmilk. However, it is possible that a baby is not sleeping due to an allergy. This allergy is an intolerance to a particular protein found in milk.

It is estimated that 2% to 7% of infants suffer from this allergy. Formula-babies make up most of these numbers. However, if a mother drinks milk or consumes other dairy products, a breastfed baby can also develop a cows’ milk allergy.

If your newborn is not sleeping, look for these common symptoms of a milk allergy:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal Bloating
Other Gastrointestinal Issues
Rashes
Coughing
Runny Nose

A baby can’t sleep if he or she is affected by these issues. If he or she does have an allergy, the baby won’t sleep, may have more awakenings during the night, shorter periods of sleep, and a dramatic reduction in the total time of sleep.

What To Do About It

If your newborn can’t sleep, try removing all cow milk products from his or her diet. If you are breastfeeding, you should remove all milk products from your diet. You can purchase soy formula which does not contain cow milk products.

In one study, a group of experts investigated the reasons behind why a newborn won’t sleep comfortably. They found that the newborns with a cow milk allergy increased their total sleep time by 22% after removing all cow milk products from their diets.

Another more extensive study reinforced the results found in the first study. Before the allergy was identified, the babies slept for an average of 5.5 hours in a 24-hour period. After the removal of cow milk, these same babies average over 13 hours of sleep in a day.

It should be mentioned here that a cow milk allergy is different from a lactose intolerance even though the symptoms are similar. Lactose intolerance deals with the principle sugar in all milk, which would include goat, human, cow, etc.

It is rare for babies to suffer from lactose intolerance. Most of the time if a baby suffers from an intolerance, it is because he or she was premature, is malnourished, or had an infection in the small intestine. All of these issues are temporary, which makes the lactose intolerance typically brief also.

Sleep Problem #15: Sleep Disorder

What It Looks Like

A baby is not sleeping may be a sign of a sleep disorder. A common baby sleep problem is snoring with 20 to 25% of all babies having this issue. A few years ago, snoring was considered harmless. However, recent research may suggest it can be harmful.

Snoring in babies may be a sign that the child suffers from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. If your newborn is not sleeping and suffers from this syndrome, he or she may be experiencing a collapse or partial collapse of the upper airways.

This collapse of the upper airways means the baby can’t sleep and wakes up. Other symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome include:

Labored or irregular breathing
Snoring with pauses or gasps
Restless sleep
Sleepiness during the day
Crankiness

If your newborn can’t sleep and shows all of the above symptoms, he or she may have the syndrome. However, you must remember that there are a lot of reasons why a baby won’t sleep besides this medical condition.

What To Do About It

The first step if your baby snores is to consult your doctor. This condition can be troublesome because your newborn won’t sleep. It can be harmful also because a severe case of sleep apnea will deprive the suffer of oxygen.

If a child is deprived of oxygen, it can lead to serious cognitive, development, and health problems later on. Another severe side effect of this condition is the increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) because the baby doesn’t awaken when they are experiencing breathing difficulties.

Your baby snoring does not mean it has obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or some other sleep disorders. A variety of other items can cause snoring. If your child is exposed to second-hand smoke, he or she is at significant risk of snoring.

You may be feeling a little worry about this sleep problem, but don’t panic. Your pediatrician can screen your baby and identify any sleep disorders. The thing to remember is these disorders are treatable, and the developmental effects can be reversed.

Sleep Problem #16: Passive

What It Looks Like

A baby won’t sleep when he or she is not tired or becomes too tired. So, a baby can’t sleep if he or she is too active or not active enough. Some newborns are naturally super active, while other newborns are more passive.

A common baby sleep problem is where a baby is not sleeping because he or she is naturally passive. If a child is delayed in gross motor skills, it may be the reason a newborn is not sleeping. A mellow newborn won’t sleep because he or she has not used enough energy at nap time to be ready for bed.

What To Do About It

If your newborn can’t sleep, you can wait until he or she shows signs of being tired before putting them to bed. These signs include:

pulls on ears
fist close
yawning
problems focusing
arm and legs movement is jerky
frowns
sucking on fingers

If your newborn never seems to be tired, you can also try to motivate more movement during the day. The baby can be kept active by taking him or her to the park or use vestibular stimulation. This type of stimulation gets the body moving and can include swinging or sliding or moving the arms.

Sometimes when a baby does not get as much activity as he or she requires, he or she can get aches in the muscles similar to restless leg syndrome. This pain can cause the baby to wake or stay awake, but you can eliminate this issue by ensuring enough muscle movement during the day.

You can tickle your babies toes to get the feet and legs moving. You can also help the arms and hands move by getting the baby to hold on to your finger and gently push the baby’s arm up and down.

A solution for this issue is to rub your baby’s legs and arms before laying them down for bed. You can use a warm bath, warm, dry towel, and massage as the perfect transition to bed. A tip for a relaxing bedtime routine is to try lavender because it has properties that ease stress and helps the body prep for sleep.

Sleep Problem #17: Loves To Play

What It Looks Like

This common baby sleep problem is almost the complete opposite of Problem #16. In this issue, the baby loves to play too much and craves interactions all night long.

This issue can cause frustration and hopelessness when you are tired and want to sleep while your baby won’t sleep because he or she wants to play. Your newborn is not sleeping, and you are worried. It is going to be okay because the baby may be just what experts call high needs.

This term is not a medical diagnosis; it is a term to describe the issue when a baby is not sleeping because of wanting attention. You can look for the following signs in your baby:<

Cry is urgent
Muscles seldom relax
Feed frequently
Unsatisfied
Can’t be put down
Baby can’t sleep

What To Do About It

When a newborn won’t sleep, it can be a sign they are overactive. However, many of the solutions already discussed can help in this situation. An established bedtime routine and massage can be an excellent way to help your baby relax enough to sleep.

A newborn can’t sleep unless you are consistent. You should try to never give in to the baby’s desire to play when it is bedtime. It is also essential to ensure every caregiver are on the same page. Your baby sweet smile and giggles may be hard to resist, but do not play with him or her. If you do play, you will be sending the message that if your baby is cute enough, you will play at night.

A newborn’s light perception can cause confusion between day and night. In this case, it is vital you act like it is night even if everyone else is wide awake. You can accomplish this act by leaving only a few lights on, speaking quietly, and only sing songs meant for bedtime.

At first, a high needs baby may make you feel desperate. However, if you are consistent, he or she will eventually get with your program. It is essential not to play with the baby at night regardless of how cute he or she is.

Sleep Problem #18: Rocker

What It Looks Like

When you first brought home your baby, you would tell your friends that my newborn is not sleeping. When a newborn won’t sleep, you are willing to try just about anything to help him or her fall asleep.

Many people probably suggested some type of rhythmic movement, including rocking to help your baby get to sleep. When a newborn can’t sleep, and you are tired, rocking can be a lifesaver because it works as a natural sleep aid.

Babies love to move, so just about any rhythmic movement will help when a baby is not sleeping. However, even though this movement is excellent in the first weeks and months after birth, it can turn into a headache later on. Every time the baby won’t sleep, you will be rocking the infant to sleep.

You have created a sleep association, which is a common baby sleep problem. The baby has associated rocking with sleeping, which makes him or her expect to rock every time. This association even applies when the baby wakes during the night. This practice can become exhausting.

Some individuals will take this information and will never rock their babies when the baby can’t sleep. Rocking has benefits such as bonding time and relaxation for both of you.

What To Do About It

The first solution is only to rock your baby until he or she is drowsy but awake. You can place the infant into the crib to fall asleep on his or her own. This process allows you to get the benefits while eliminating the sleep association.

It is okay if you already have created the sleep association because you can begin to transition from rocking asleep to falling asleep on his or her own. The baby must master two small skills. The first skill is allowing the baby to fall asleep somewhere besides your arms. The second skill is to fall asleep without rocking.

Some people use the cry it out method which allows the baby to learn to put him or herself asleep. However, you may be uncomfortable with this strategy. An excellent replace is to create a new sleep association. This process requires patience and consistency. You can gradually replace the rocking with white noise. You can follow these tips to help you accomplish this replacement:

Begin by playing white noise while you are rocking the baby for four to five nights in a row.
When the baby is tired, you can slowly begin to transition him or her from your arms to the crib.
If the baby starts crying, it is recommended not to immediately pick him or her up but instead use a reassuring, soothing voice.

Sleep Problem #19: Anywhere but Home Sleeper

What It Looks Like

Another common baby sleep problem is he or she will sleep in the car or at daycare, but the baby won’t sleep in his or her bed at naptime. At daycare, you know your baby sleeps every day from 12:00 until 2:00.

However, on the weekends at home, the baby is not sleeping during naptime. In fact, he or she may not even sleep but a few minutes. You are keeping to a routine, but the newborn won’t sleep. Another common baby sleep problem is the newborn sleeps during short car rides, but immediately wakes up when you arrive at home.

When the newborn is not sleeping after returning home, you can become frustrated or overtired. When a baby can’t sleep, he or she becomes cranky and overtired. Being irritable and overtired makes it even harder for the newborn to get to sleep.

What To Do About It

At first, you may think you are doing something wrong, but you are not. When a newborn can’t sleep, it can be a variety of reasons. At daycare, they have to handle a multitude of children, which requires them to stick to a rigid schedule such as:

8:00 am Breakfast
8:15 am Wash-up
8:30 am Playtime
8:45 am Bathroom Break
9:00 am Story Time

At home, you do not need such a rigid schedule. Your baby wants to be with you, and he or she is inquisitive. If you know your child is getting enough sleep, you may be providing too much stimulation too close to nap time.

If you are running errands close to your infant’s nap time, he or she may fall asleep. Also, as previously mentioned, rhythmic movement is a natural sleep aid, so falling asleep in the car is natural.

You can allow the baby to finish the nap in the car seat. However, you must carefully monitor your newborn when sleeping somewhere other than a crib. The issue at nap time can be solved by ensuring a more relaxed atmosphere for at least an hour before putting the baby down to nap.

Sleep Problem #20: Sleep Regression

What It Looks Like

Sometimes a newborn won’t sleep well in the beginning, but then a routine happens. This routine is excellent for you because you can sleep when the baby sleeps. A newborn is not sleeping for seven to eight hours but still gives you some rest typically.

A newborn can’t sleep without feedings during the night, but will gradually sleep for longer periods. However, at about two to three months old, a normally sleepy baby may develop this common baby sleep problem.

A baby won’t sleep at this age because he or she is curious about life and life is too fun for sleep. This problem is referred to as sleep regression. It happens at two to three months but happens again between eight and twelve months.

However, you should remember that sleep regression can happen at any age. Life can become too fun at all stages. A baby can’t sleep when there is new stuff to play and people to engage. The world around this baby causes the baby is not sleeping issue.

What To Do About It

The best way to solve this issue to establish a routine. This routine can include:

Playtime
Song
Reading
Feeding
Bath
Soft Noise or Music
Cuddle Time

You can also be sure that the baby is getting enough sleep during the day but not too much sleep. An overtired baby can’t sleep or settle down to sleep. It is vital to remember during this time that sleep regression is only temporary. The baby must adjust to the new developmental abilities of being able to explore the new world, but once this adjustment is made, he or she will return to better sleeping patterns.At this time, you can also work to reduce the number of times the baby wakes up during the night for feedings. A variety of options for this reduction are available, and some have been explained in the above sections.

When a baby wakes, he or she may be ready to play again, but do not engage in play during the night. If you entertain the baby, he or she may think it’s time to play every night at the same time. This desire can quickly turn into an unwanted routine for you and your baby.

14 Tips To Establish a Bedtime Routine for Your Child

A pleasant bedtime routine can help children and babies with the transition from being awake to falling asleep. A good bedtime routine can help your child feel more comfortable and secure about what to expect when each day comes to an end. In order to create a bedtime routine for babies, you need to develop a predictable sequence of activities that can easily and consistently be adhered to each night.

The bedtime routine in question can start to evolve and change as the child starts to grow, although its basics will need to remain as they were from the beginning. Depending on your child’s age, the baby bedtime routine may involve wearing their PJs, brushing their teeth, and then reading them an interesting bedtime story.

Alternatively, the child bedtime routine may also involve taking a bath, singing or listening to a song, followed by another song, and a warm glass of water. As a parent, it is upon you to make a decision on how to create a bedtime routine. You also get to decide on whether the bedtime routine will be quick and easy, or whether it will take a longer period that will allow you to bond with your child.

A bedtime routine idea will normally work best when you have reserved at least an hour prior to bedtime for engaging in quiet play with your child. Reserving this amount of time helps lower the baby’s activity levels while also preparing their nervous system for some much-needed relaxation.

Watching action-packed television shows, playing tickling games, running, and even roughhousing can make a peaceful transition to sleep very difficult for a toddler. If you are looking for a good bedtime routine for children, consider the following illustrations. You can choose any bedtime routine that you think will work best for your child:

Set a Specific Timetable and Be Sure to Stick to It

A child’s body is able to adjust much more easily to the bedtime routine if you choose a bedtime routine that follows a consistent and natural pattern. This means that you should avoid making changes to the bedtime routine as it will make it even harder for the child to fall asleep.

Provide a Warning

Just before the child has to rest, be sure to issue a warning to indicate that the day has started to wind down. Depending on your child’s age, they may be too young for them to start judging time just yet. This means that telling them five minutes to go may not necessarily work for you. However, you can teach your baby through association.

This can be achieved by starting the first part of the baby bedtime routine, e.g., placing the toys away or running the bath water. Choose how you would like to start the bedtime routine in order to signal that the day has started to wind down.

There are parents who often choose to signal impending bedtime routine by having the kitchen timer ring for five minutes: for a child, this is an indication that their bedtime has arrived. It also allows for an opportunity where a third party gets to announce bedtime, thereby reducing the desire for a child to complain. This is because toddlers also understand that it is not possible to argue with machines.

Offer Your Child a Snack

Light snacks that include carbohydrates and proteins, for instance, one half of wheat or whole bread and a small piece of cheese will help induce sleep in a toddler and will let the child remain asleep for the rest of the night.

This is an ideal child bedtime routine, as the carbohydrates will help make the baby sleepy, while proteins, on the other hand, will ensure that her blood sugar gets to remain level until breakfast time. Make sure that your baby gets to brush her teeth after eating.

Give Your Toddler a Warm Bath

It is important to create a bedtime routine that also incorporates a warm bath. By raising the child’s body temperature, you make the child more prone to falling asleep. In addition, getting a chance to play with her bath toys will also get her to relax.

Getting Dressed for Bed

Another bedtime routine idea involves getting your child ready for bed. For this, you will need to dress the baby using comfortable but non-binding PJs. Ensure that the pajamas are neither too light nor too warm.

Read a Story to Your Toddler

This is one of the most comforting and rewarding bedtime routine for children. This is more so if the story in question happens to be a favorite story commonly associated with going to bed, e.g., Goodnight Moon. However, take note that as the child starts to grow, they will want access to more stories and to a broader variety.

Play Soft Music

You can always incorporate soft music into your bedtime routine for babies. With soft music, you do not have to do much as all you will need to do is to let the music play in the background and watch as your child starts to drift off to slumberland.

Provide Your Child with a Sleeping Buddy

When developing your baby bedtime routine, you can try to incorporate snuggle buddies into that routine. Here, a teddy bear or favorite doll will come in handy in providing the comfort that your baby needs.

Eliminate or Limit Bottles

If your baby has previously needed a bottle in order to fall asleep, ensure that in the new child bedtime routine, the bottle will only contain water. Juice, formula, or milk will normally pool around his teeth leading to the development of cavities, which can be dangerous, especially for small children.

Ensure Your Goodnights Are Brief

You need to create a bedtime routine that will see you only say goodnight when it is time for both parents to leave the child’s room. While at it, try very hard not to go back even if the child calls out for you. This may sound harsh, but every time you go back to the room when the child calls you, you start conditioning your child to learn that parents will always come back quickly when they are called.

For any bedtime routine idea that you come up, you have to be strict to ensure that it is followed to the letter. Any hesitation on your end can be picked up by the child to mean that you were not serious about her going to bed. It also shows them that if they yell out for you really loudly, you will have no option but to go back and check up on them.

Be Patient

As with any other new activity, it is important to exercise some patience. For your new baby bedtime routine, you may have to plan for it at least two weeks in advance. Understand that it will take some time for it to really take hold. As you are practicing this new bedtime routine, you will need to ensure that each person who is to be involved in putting the baby to bed is around each night and working towards ensuring that the new system gets to take hold.

Have a Chat

Bedtime is always a nice time for you to spend a few minutes talking to your baby. It is not mandatory for you to wait until the baby is old enough to start narrating the events that occurred during the day. You can sit by her crib and narrate how your day went. This is a great way to get your baby to relax and fall asleep without causing a fuss.

Make Sleep a Family Priority

You can achieve this by determining how much sleep is required by each member of your family. Once determined, make sure that they all get to have enough sleep. If there are any problems, make sure that they are discussed with your toddlers’ doctor. Many such problems are easily treated.

Stick to Your Baby Bedtime Routine

If the toddler tries to push their boundaries, you will need to be kind but firm as well. As a parent, it will be important to make sure that you stick to what you have said, or else your child will keep pushing the boundaries until you finally give up.

This means that you may have to repeat the process as many times as necessary. In addition, try and resist the urge to show irritation or get angry with the toddler’s efforts to try and extend their bedtime. Getting angry or showing irritation only means that the entire process will get prolonged.

The Takeaway

Just as there are many ways to get your baby to fall asleep, there are certain things that you ought to avoid, or else your child will end-up developing poor sleeping habits. It is important to note that when nothing is done, many babies who have developed poor sleeping habits when young will continue to have the same issues when they start attending school. You need to address your child’s sleeping habits from an early age. And remember, if your child is not getting enough sleep, then neither are you.

Why Do Some Babies Cry While Sleeping?

Is Your Baby Crying While Sleeping?

You’ve probably experienced this scenario many times as a new parent. Your baby has been asleep for an hour, maybe two, when suddenly she cried out in her sleep. Understandably, you may feel confused or concerned about why your baby is crying during sleep.

However, most of the time, there is no reason for alarm if a baby cries while sleeping. Many reasons exist that would make your baby cry during sleep. Here’s the scoop on why your baby starts to cry after the Sandman has come and gone.

Sleep Cycles

According to Working Mother, your baby has sleep cycles that run for about 50 to 60 minutes per cycle, (unlike you who goes through your sleep cycles about every 90 minutes or so).

Each cycle has a transitional phase, where the sleeper – in this case, your baby – moves from one phase to another. During these transitions, say when your baby moves from REM to a deeper sleep cycle, he/ she may cry out.

When a baby cries while sleeping, it is often an indication that his/ her sleep cycles are transitioning. In all actuality, your baby really isn’t awake. Like pretty much everything else a baby must learn how to do, he/ she must learn how to fall asleep properly and to stay asleep.

Other Challenges

Granted, while much of the time a baby cries while sleeping because of sleep transition, you well know that he/ she may be experiencing other issues. Your baby could be hungry or wet, for example.

So, how do you tell why your baby is crying during sleep? Healthline offers this bit of advice when you’re asking yourself “Why is my baby crying while sleeping?”

If after a few minutes your baby’s cries escalate instead of calming down, you know that there is an issue. In other words, if your baby is transitioning from one sleep cycle to another, his/ her cries will not escalate.

However, if your baby cries while sleeping and he/ she seems more and more distressed, it’s time to go check on your baby. As we have already mentioned, the baby could be wet or hungry or even cold, and of course, sick.

Complications to Sleep

Without knowing it, you can inadvertently cause your baby to wake up during the night. A baby who does this is called a “trained night crier,” according to the Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Your baby should develop a regular seven- or eight-hour sleeping schedule by the ages of two months to four months. By this time, your baby’s caloric needs will change: He/ she will no longer require calories during the night and therefore, will not need nocturnal feedings.

If you’re wondering why your baby cries while sleeping after about the age of four months, you will find that there are some pretty common triggers for this.

You entertain your baby after she wakes up. Ideally, you should help your baby get used to a more settled routine at bedtime. After story time is over and the baby has fallen asleep, don’t get the books back out or play with your baby. Even consistent rocking at nap time can train your baby to wake up during sleep and cry. Crying during sleep if it happens on the regular could be an indication that your baby has a secondary gain from waking up. That is to say that he/ she expects to be entertained or is expecting mom and dad’s attention.
You rock your baby in order to make him/ her fall asleep. Granted, in the earliest stages of life, a baby needs to be rocked and soothed in order to fall asleep. However, one of your goals as a parent should be to teach your baby how to self-regulate. A good sleeper in the baby years can become a good sleeper in later years. If your baby cries while sleeping, it could be an indication that he/ she doesn’t know how to fall asleep without rocking.
Your baby is getting used to changes in environment or schedule. Babies cannot talk the way that we can. Unlike you, your baby must cry to communicate. The crying that comes from these changes is called “protest crying.” It’s the natural result of a change that your baby doesn’t like.

Should I Call the Doctor If My Baby Can’t Sleep?

The simple, most maddening answer to this is, “It depends.”

If the crying is relatively recent and doesn’t seem to be escalating, it’s probably just normal night time sleep transition crying. If it’s escalating and you’ve tried feeding your baby or changing him/ her or whatever, then you could have a more serious issue.

Sometimes, your baby can develop reflux. If he/ she spits up quite a bit or is wheezing, you may want a checkup.

That said, it is also okay to get support from your doctor as you learn about your baby. If your baby cries while sleeping, it may be nothing. It could also be a sign of something more serious. If you are prone to worry, go ahead and give yourself the peace of mind that may come from a call to your baby’s doctor.

Conclusion

If your baby cries while sleeping, it could be a sign of something serious. However, it could also just mean that he/ she is transitioning from one phase of the sleep cycle to another. (Your baby has sleep cycles just like you do.) Very often, trying to determine the cause of crying during sleep is what makes parents most frustrated.

Usually, your baby will cry out during the night for brief periods of time, often because of a change in the sleep cycle, but also due to hunger, wetness, or cold. The way to determine the difference between these various types of cries is to listen for escalation. If your baby cries while sleeping but stops after a few minutes and the crying doesn’t get more urgent, it’s probably a sleep cycle thing.

However, if the crying gets louder or more insistent, then it’s time to check for other issues. Many parents that face this issue wind up being surprised to learn that their babies have not woken up, despite the crying.

That said, too much fussing over the baby for night-crying can cause a baby to become a night crier. In this case, a baby cries while sleeping because your baby has a secondary gain from waking up. In other words, if your baby has learned that he/ she will get to play or get mom or dad’s attention, staying asleep will prove to be difficult.

Finally, some sleep issues arise from medical conditions like reflux. Having your doctor check your baby out will eliminate the worry that it causes you when your baby cries while sleeping.

Remember, letting your baby cry for a few minutes after he/ she has fallen asleep isn’t the same as letting him/ her cry during the day. Often these daytime cries indicate something more serious or are your baby’s way of communicating to you. Learning to distinguish between the types of cries that your baby produces will eventually help all of you get some much-needed sleep.

7 Ways to Transition Your Child from a Crib to a Toddler Bed

How to Transition Your Child from a Crib to a Toddler Bed

It is inevitable that you will have to transition your child from a crib to a bed at some point! They can’t go off to college still sleeping in their crib! But, when and how should you make the transition? You want your toddler to learn to sleep in their own bed, but are likely wondering when you should make the big move from a crib to a bed. You also want to make sure that the transition from a crib to a kid’s bed is as painless as possible for both you and your child. Below, we have some information to help you decide when and how to help move your child from a crib to a bed.

Signs Your Child is Ready to Move to a Toddler Bed

It may be time to make the transition from a crib to a bed under the following circumstances:

Climbing: If your child has started climbing out of their crib, it may be time to move them from their crib to a kid’s bed. However, if your child has only climbed out of the crib one time, it may not be time to make the move just yet. Some kids climb out once, and then don’t climb out again for quite some time.
Your child is asking for a big kid’s bed: If your child has started to verbalize to you that they want their own big kid’s bed, it may mean that they are ready to make the move.
You are ready to night potty-train: If you are in the process of potty-training and feel that your child is ready to make it through the night without having an accident, you may want to move them to a toddler bed so they can access the bathroom.
You have another baby on the way soon: Sometimes, the reason you chose to move your child from a crib to a bed may have more to do with you than your child. If you have another baby on the way and are going to need the crib for your new baby soon, it may be time to move your toddler to the bed. You’ll want to make this move a while before you have the new baby so your toddler doesn’t have to adjust to both a new bed and a new brother or sister at the same time.

How to Ensure a Smooth Transition to the New Bed

Once you’ve determined that it is time to transition your child from a crib to a bed, there are lots of things you should consider before you plunge in and make the big move.

Try to Avoid Scheduling the Move When Other Big Changes or Transitions are Happening

If there are other big changes occurring in your toddler’s life, you will probably want to hold off on moving them from a crib to a bed for a while. If your toddler has just started daycare or preschool, you’re beginning to potty-train, or you’re planning a trip somewhere that will interrupt your routine, it might be a better idea to wait a while to make the transition.

Be Consistent with Placement of the New Bed

Your child is used to the location in which they sleep each evening. They are used to having the same view of the fan in their room, the curtains, and their nightlight. Try to keep this as similar as possible by placing their bed in the same location as their crib. This will help make the move from a crib to a bed easier on your toddler (and on you).

Purchase Special Books to Read Together

There are many books that have been written that are designed to help make the transition from a crib to a bed easier on your little one. These books help ease your child’s fears and get them excited to sleep in their big kid bed. Some titles you can consider are “A Bed of Your Own,” “Big Enough for a Bed,” and “I Love to Sleep in My Own Bed.”

Involve Your Child in Selecting Their New Bed and Bedding

Help get your toddler excited and invested in having a new, big kid’s bed. Make them a part of the process of selecting and setting up their new bed. Bring them shopping with you when you go to pick out the new bed. If you want to make the choices a little less overwhelming for them, you can provide them with two or three options to decide between (this can also help ensure that you are OK with the bed they choose).

You can also let them pick out new bedding for the new big kid’s bed. Maybe, pick out a few new, coordinating decorations for their bedroom too. They’ll be much more motivated to sleep in their bed if they feel like they had a role in creating it!

Reevaluate Your Childproofing

Before you make the big move from a crib to a toddler bed, you’ll want to reexamine their room. You’ve likely already childproofed the space, but that was before they were going to be able to get out of their bed in the middle of the night without you there. Double check that there aren’t any safety hazards in the room. Make sure that all of their furniture is mounted to the wall. Consider putting a gate in their doorway so they don’t have access to the rest of the house in the middle of the night. Do everything you can to ensure they will be safe in their room if they let themselves out of bed.

Stick with Your Current Bedtime Routines

To ensure a smooth transition for your child, it is going to be very important to stick with your current bedtime routines. You’ll want to keep everything as consistent as possible to help your child adjust to their new bed. If you don’t currently have a consistent bedtime routine, it is a good idea to try to establish one before you try to move your child from a crib to a bed.

Be Patient and Offer Comfort

Moving from a crib to a toddler bed is a big change for your little guy or gal. Be patient and comfort them if they are scared or nervous. You can try sharing some times when you’ve been scared and what you did to help yourself get through the rough times.

Moving your toddler from a crib to a bed can be a big adjustment for both of you. With some consistency and planning though, your toddler will be ready and excited to make the big change.

Are Late Bedtimes Bad for Babies?

Are Late Bedtimes Bad?

As children grow, they spend most of their days sleeping. Children under the age of two tend to sleep over 12 hours a day. Though this number will gradually decline as they become toddlers, their sleep health will remain a priority throughout their lives. With that being said, many parents wonder: is there a wrong or right time for kids to go to bed?

Your Child’s Sleep Schedule

As you try to figure out the best sleeping schedule for your child, you may find that going to bed later for them is what works better, but are late bedtimes bad? While many parents assume that children with late bedtimes aren’t getting the proper amount of sleep, this isn’t necessarily true.

Though many sleep specialists don’t encourage that parents allow their children to go to sleep late on a regular basis, the answer to the question “Are late bedtimes bad?” is dependent on a variety of factors.

The main goal for any parent and sleep specialist is to ensure that children are getting a full night’s rest overall, regardless of what time they go to sleep.

Babies with Late Bedtimes

Parents with newborns undoubtedly know the struggle of trying to get into the groove of finding a workable sleep schedule for themselves and their baby. Oftentimes, parents may find themselves putting baby to bed much later than expected.

Based on the widely held notion that children need to sleep at a certain time, these new parents often worry that babies with late bedtimes aren’t getting the sleep they need. While this can be true if baby isn’t sleeping the recommended amount (that’s around 14 hours for newborns), late bedtimes are perfectly fine if your baby is well rested.

Late bedtimes are perfectly fine if your baby is well-rested.

It is also important for parents of babies with late bedtimes to make sure that baby is sticking to a regular wake/nap/bed schedule. This stability is essential for babies as they grow.

Children with Late Bedtimes

As you and your baby get accustomed to their sleep schedule, it is important to note that this routine will eventually change. While a stable schedule is needed for babies with late bedtimes, it is also important for parents to understand when to update this sleeping routine.

Though the same truths of getting enough sleep and having a consistent sleep schedule apply to children with late bedtimes, as your child grows older, they will likely have to adjust to something new. With the start of daycare or school, you’ll need to start waking your child up at a certain time, which will translate into an earlier bedtime.

If You Need to Get Your Child to Sleep Earlier

Parents of children with late bedtimes often fear the day that they have to change their child’s schedule. While it certainly won’t happen in one night, with the right methods, parents can get their children on track to sleep earlier.

Use the following tips to adjust your child’s sleep schedule:

Focus on their wake time. Children tend to fall asleep whenever they want. Children with late bedtimes are especially prone to wanting to go to sleep later, as their internal clock is already programmed this way. Set your sights on waking your child up earlier to help combat this desire to fall asleep later.Parents can start resetting their child’s internal clock one or two weeks before school starts to ensure they are well rested and ready for their new routine.
Shift by 30 minutes every other day. The sleep clock requires gradual change. Kickstart this adjustment period by setting their wake time 30 minutes earlier every other day or everyday. This is a steady enough pace that will allow them to fall asleep earlier.
Know how much sleep is needed. Based on their age, your child may need more or less sleep. Do your research and consult with a doctor or sleep specialist to make sure your child is getting the right amount.
Set the tone for sleep. Spend the two hours prior to bedtime setting the tone for sleep. This means no electronics, exercise, caffeine, and anything else that might keep your child awake. Similarly, keeping their bedroom dark during this time will allow them to fall asleep faster.

How to Tell if Your Child Isn’t Sleeping Enough

Parents of babies with late bedtimes often wonder how their children’s sleeping habits are affected as they grow. In some cases, children may not be getting enough sleep, regardless of when their bedtime is.

Worried your child isn’t sleeping enough? Watch out for these signs:

Constantly rubbing the eyes or yawning. As babies spend most of the day sleeping, these are tell tale signs that they need to get more sleep ASAP.
Consistent irritability and crankiness. We all get a little irritable if we haven’t been sleeping well. The same is true for your child, however old they may be.
Falling asleep on short car rides. If you notice that your child always knocks out on a short ride in the car or stroller, it’s likely that they need to get more sleep.
Acting sleepy after waking. Even if your child is awake, this doesn’t mean that they had a restful sleep. In some cases, they didn’t get enough sleep, in others, the quality of sleep wasn’t adequate.

If you find that your baby is sleeping well, a late bedtime is not a bad thing. As long as you are making sure that your child is well rested and sticking to a regular schedule, you and your baby are doing just fine.

8 Ways to Manage the Sleep Schedule of Two Children

Twin Sleep Schedules?!

As a new parent of a baby, it is already challenging enough to get your baby to sleep. Now imagine trying to double this challenge by adding another child. If you are a parent of twins or your children are sleeping together, it might seem impossible to adjust the two children’s sleep schedules to work harmoniously. Thankfully, where there is a will, there is a way. Here is the experience of parents who were successful in managing their two kid’s sleep schedules.

Get help! Managing two kid’s sleep schedules can be a challenge for a single parent or a couple. The first weeks of your the life of your babies will require all of your time just to manage their sleeping routines.

Make sure you get help early on, and accept offers from relatives and friends for help with chores around the home and running errands. This way, you will be solely concentrated on taking care of your little ones.

8 Tips:

Putting Them to Sleep Simultaneously

Even if your children are sleeping on different beds, you can put them down to sleep at the same time. Doing this will ensure that both of them have the same sleeping rhythm that their bodies will eventually tune into.

Feed Both at the Same Time

Just like with putting children to sleep together, feeding them together will train their bodies to wake them up at certain parts of the night specifically for a meal. Even if one of the children is not awake, feed them right after you have fed the first one. This way your twins sleep schedules will synchronize, and they will be trained to wake up for eating at the same time.

Even if you do not feel it is right to wake up a snoozing baby, it is the only way to avoid jumping back and forth between two children during the night.

Separate Them

If one of the twins is old enough and seems ready to sleep through the whole night without waking up to eat, you can temporarily move them to a separate room.

If you have to, accommodate one of your living space for the sleeping twin so that the other does not wake it up at night. As soon as the waking twin is ready to let go of night meals, the two can be brought back together in one room.

Have a Consistent Bedtime Routine

Having a bedtime routine is important when you have a baby. It becomes even more necessary when there are two. A bedtime routine can consist of:

Playing relaxing games
Reading a bedtime story
Massage
Bathtime
Dim lights
Soft music

A routine is a way to let your children know to associate certain events with bedtime. It could be the water running or the lights going dim that lets them know that the time to sleep is soon. When these routines are repeated every day, they will become ingrained into your children’s sleep habits. Their mind will naturally begin to associate certain activities with sleeping. This provides a sense of security and comfort for them besides helping them sleep through the night.

Double Feeding Schedule

To synchronize your twins’ sleep schedules, it is vital to feed them at the same time as well. Babies who are fed together are more likely to fall asleep together.

Using a Lovey

As soon as it is safe, you can begin adding a lovey into your children’s cribs. Make sure you follow the guidelines for a safe lovey before putting anything next to your children’s sleeping surface. Find a small and safe lovey that makes soft sounds. This can help the babies associate the gentle feel and sound with sleep time.

Begin Early With Twins

While single children do not require to have a set schedule until about 5 or 6 months, the case with twins sleep schedule requires that you start early. Although coming home from the hospital may not the most appropriate moment to begin, consider starting a twins’ sleep schedule as early as 4 to 6 weeks. After a month, it will already be obvious that you need to start organizing your two children’s sleep schedules in order to get sleep for yourself and your children.

While there will be days when things do not go according to plan, work to bring in predictability into your two kid’s sleep schedules. This means programming the twins’ sleep schedules early on so it really becomes ingrained into them by the time they are toddlers.

Follow Your Own Tempo

As with any advice, you have to consider your unique situation. If your two children’s sleep schedules do not bother you, you do not have to start off so early. However, parents who are accustomed to two kid’s sleep schedules advise managing your twins’ sleep schedules as early as possible. While managing the sleep of one child can be put off, two children’s sleep schedules going in different directions can really take the life out of you eventually.

Conclusion

Feel your way into your two kid’s sleep schedules, and consider when you are ready to head down this road. Managing your twins’ sleep schedules brings tremendous rewards to you as a parent and to both your children. When their schedules are the same, they will no longer wake each other up, and you will have two happy children and parents to thank you for it.

8 Common Baby Sleep Myths: Busted!

Baby Sleep Myths

In those first few months of new parenthood, everything can seem like a blur of exhaustion. You may feel like you are doing everything wrong, and you are sure to get plenty of advice, both solicited and unsolicited.

One subject that it seems everyone has an opinion on is sleep. Advice about sleep is so widespread and so varied that it can feel impossible to separate fact from baby sleep myth. Getting better sleep is important for both the parents and the baby, so it is important to understand some common misconceptions and separate myth from fact.

Separating Baby Sleep Myth From Fact

Myth 1: Babies need to put down in a totally quiet and dark room to sleep.

Truth: Your baby will quickly learn to sleep in whatever environment he is exposed to. He may actually sleep better when there is activity going on around him, as it can create a kind of white noise.

Myth 2: You shouldn’t expect your baby to sleep well for months or even the first year.

Truth: Babies can learn to sleep well in just a few weeks. Doing so takes effort on your part, and it can be frustrating but will result in better sleep for everyone. Teaching sleep cues, or methods that your baby learns to associate with sleep, such as swaddling, is a great way to improve sleep patterns.

Myth 3: Babies wake up during the night because they need to eat.

Truth: Once your baby is between 4 and 6 months old, if he is gaining weight, he is thriving physically, and, if the mother is nursing, there are no problems with milk supply, there is no need for your baby to wake up to eat.

Myth 4: Nursing or rocking will make it impossible to get your baby to sleep any other way.

Truth: Your baby will want what he is used to, that is only natural. But there is nothing wrong with rocking or nursing your child to sleep. They key is to help him learn to put himself back to sleep when he wakes up. Helping him learn self-soothing techniques allow him to put himself back to sleep during the night.

There are a variety of behaviors you can encourage that teach your baby to self-soothe, including:

Sucking or cuddling a toy or blanket
Using a pacifier
Humming softly, you can teach this by humming softly as you rock him.
Stroking his hands or cheeks. Again, you can model this behavior for him when you are rocking or feeding him.

Myth 5: Cutting back on daytime naps will improve nighttime sleeping.

Truth: This is a common thought, but it doesn’t work. An overly tired baby will be fussy and much more difficult to get to sleep than a well-rested baby. Instead, make naps a priority, and start the bedtime routine a little earlier than you think is necessary so you aren’t rushed getting your baby to sleep.

Myth 6: Babies can go along with a flexible schedule, depending on what the parents want to do.

Truth: Sure, you can tote your baby around wherever you go. If you want to improve the quality of sleep for everyone in your family, you really need to dedicate yourself to developing a consistent nap and bedtime routine. This may mean being close to home while you establish consistent sleep habits, but it will pay off with a baby that goes to sleep easily and sleeps well.

Myth 7: Letting a baby “cry it out” is harmful

Truth: Studies have shown that there is no harm done by letting your baby cry it out at night. If he is fed, clean and dry, and has a safe, comfortable crib, letting him cry it out will not cause any problems.

However, that does not mean it is the only way to help your child sleep through the night. There are a variety of ways to encourage sleeping through the night, and all can be effective. If you are not comfortable letting your baby cry it out, there is no reason to use that method of sleep training.

Myth 8: Babies sleep better if you add a little cereal to their nighttime bottle.

Truth: As mentioned above, a healthy, growing baby does not need to wake up to eat. Adding cereal to his bottle is not only unnecessary, but it also doesn’t actually work and can create other problems.

It is not recommended to start solids before 6 months of age, and at that point, it should be as part of a meal. Adding calories from cereal in a nighttime bottle can lead to excessive weight gain.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of myths surrounding babies sleep habits and patterns. For every baby sleep myth you hear, there is another that contradicts it. Remember, as a parent, you have to do what works for you and your family. If someone offers advice that sounds beneficial, you can certainly consider it, but make the decisions on your own. If you have questions or concerns, talk to your pediatrician.

Snoo Review: Too Good to Be True? Is It The Poo?

For this Snoo review, I spent 3 months (90 days!) using the Snoo Smart Sleeper from Happiest Baby in our household. Due to the massive popularity of this product, I decided to document my entire experience with this high-end bassinet that promises a restful sleep in your baby.

So what the heck is a Snoo?!

Imagine an Apple product. When you think of Apple products, you likely think of revolutionary things like iPhones, iPads, Macbooks, etc. Now imagine if Apple were to get involved in the crib or bassinet industry. If Apple were to design a crib or bassinet, it would certainly look a lot like the Snoo bassinet.

Disclosure: SleepBaby.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The Snoo is like a small crib which will allow your baby to sleep next to your bed during his/her first 6 months. Except The Snoo isn’t just any old bassinet. The Snoo comes fully equipped with WiFi, sound sensors, speakers that project various white noise, and even a robotic motor that rocks your baby at varying levels of intensity! The robotic motor rocks your baby based on whatever noises your baby makes – amazing! The Snoo literally has sensors in it that make sure your baby is being rocked at the perfect level, based on the sounds your baby is (or isn’t) making! WOW!

How does The Snoo work?

Great question! The Snoo works with ease (go figure) and it goes something like this:

- Step One: You begin by swaddling your baby with a Snoo Sack. Don’t worry, the Snoo Sack is included with the Snoo so it won’t cost you any extra money. The Snoo Sack comes with wings. These wings are essentially clips which protect your baby from rolling over or sleeping incorrectly. These clips attach your baby to the Snoo Sleeper. This feature is super important because it’s commonly believed by health experts that a baby who sleeps on his/her back reduces the risk of SIDS and SUID.

- Step Two: Once your baby is comfortably positioned, The Snoo will begin working it’s magic. To start, The Snoo will gently rock your baby and begin playing white music via its amazing speakers. Unless your baby gets upset, this gentle motion and white noise will continue throughout the night uninterrupted. However, if The Snoo’s sensors recognize that your baby is upset, it will adjust and attempt to calm your baby with more intensity. For example, The Snoo will automatically increase the intensity of both the white noise and the rocking. The goal is for your baby to be calmed and go back to sleep without you having to get out of bed – you simply can relax and let The Snoo do all the work to make sure your baby is having a restful sleep… and if your baby isn’t sleeping well, The Snoo will recognize that your baby is awake and will adjust its settings until your baby is relaxed and sleeping once again. Truly amazing!

Just remember, the Snoo can’t replace the one-on-one care your baby needs. This includes changing diapers, feedings, needing a new pacifier, etc. For things like this, an adult will have to step in. But for everything else, the Snoo does the rest and to me, this is truly standout feature in my Snoo review.

If you made it this far in the article, your mind must be blown. And if it isn’t, you must be one of those lucky people with a partner who takes care of his/her fair-share of the work. I’m not judging you because my spouse was super amazing and supportive during this phase with our son. However, I was still tired a lot! I bet you’re feeling somewhat skeptical of this crazy robotic crib, and I totally understand. I was too… so let’s address some of the most common questions and concerns regarding The Snoo:

We are going to address the following and more:

– Does the Snoo actually work?

– If so, how does it work?

– We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, so do we really need to reinvent the crib? Can you trust a robotic night nurse to take care of your newborn throughout the night?

– What are the pros? What are the cons?

– How much does it cost?

So to dive right in, my spouse and I spend 90 entire nights with this 22nd-century Snoo baby bed. Like a crazy person, I diligently tracked down the happenings during this experiment in order to give you the best Snoo bassinet review that I possibly can. So, my fellow parents, shall we begin?

Oh and PS – I’m going to use the term “night nurse” throughout the next portion of my Snoo bassinet review. For those of you who don’t know, a night nurse is a caretaker who arrives at your home at night to tend to your baby’s every need (calming, feeding, keeping an eye on the baby throughout the night, etc.) – If you have some extra cash laying around, it’s a pretty amazing deal.

The incredible, the blah, and a life-changing decision.

Even though The Snoo is rather pricey, it’s still a pretty amazing deal considering all you get. During my 90 days with the Snoo, I kept meticulous notes during the first month. I’m a total nerd when it comes to things like note-taking, so I compiled a list that would’ve been VERY helpful before I purchased The Snoo myself. So if you’re an information junkie like myself, this is going to be perfect for you. If you’re not an information junkie and want to skim the incredible, the blah, and my final decision, this is for you:

The incredible:

The breath-taking moments. During so much of the 90 days, I was left in complete awe at the magnitude of thought that went into the design of The Snoo bassinet. I was so impressed that at one point I was breathless and had tears in my eyes. As someone who runs a blog, I teared up when I was thinking about how much The Snoo freed up my schedule and allowed me to do so much. I was so incredibly thankful that The Snoo was rocking our son to sleep and taking care of him… if it wasn’t for the Snoo, I’d have to be there tending to his every need. It was amazing to spend more time with my husband because of The Snoo — so amazing, in fact, that I’m tearing up just thinking about it right now! We Netflix and chill now guys, for real.

Your little one’s safety matters and Snoo knows it. Yes, the Snoo is EXTREMELY safe. In fact, the creators of Snoo (Happiest Baby) are so confident in the product that they call it “the safest baby bed ever made!” Wow! What a claim. But guess what? After spending just the first night, I could immediately tell how safe it is. The logic behind their safety is due to the fact The Snoo ensures your baby falls asleep on his/her back. This is the absolute SAFEST sleep position for most children and I was very comforted knowing The Snoo ensured the best sleep style possible.

The Snoo Sack (swaddle) – OMG. Wowza. This is quite the impressive swaddle if I do say so myself… and I do say! I was quite surprised. In fact, I was so impressed by the Snoo Sack that I left the following review on the company’s website: “I’m a Dad who is embarrassed to admit that I fumble all the time trying to swaddle my little guy with a blanket. Don’t tell anybody, but I sometimes even have a hard time with some of the Velcro and zipper swaddling solutions I’ve tried in the past. With the Snoo Snack, I am not nervous about swaddling my baby in front of my wife now! My little guy looks cozy, safe, happy, and can’t escape! I love it.”

The White Noise feature – It’s a well-known fact that using white noise can help with getting your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep. But, it’s often very hard to find white noise that isn’t annoying after 5 minutes, let alone an entire night. The Snoo has solved this problem with white noise and delivers absolutely incredible sound through the Snoo built-in speakers. I’ve tried white noise in the past, but this works SO much better. I’m not sure how the company got their white noise to use on the Snoo, but I’m so glad they did! I leave the white noise playing for up to 12 hours sometimes and it doesn’t bother me a bit.

Customer Service. As I explained before, Happiest Baby, is the creator of the Snoo smart crib. I’ve had to contact them a few times for a variety of questions. I didn’t have any problems with their product, but I did wonder things like:

What about warmth? The swaddle is made of mesh, so won’t my son get cold?
Nope! Actually, most babies are usually wearing wear more than necessary. Also, you can simply touch your child’s ear if you begin to worry that they’re getting cold, but I never had a problem with that.

Help me! How do I do x, y, and z on the app?
They helped my wife figure out the app. She said they were extremely friendly and didn’t make her feel stupid which she really appreciated. It seems like the folks over at Snoo realize that not everybody was born with an iPad in their hand and some people need a little extra help with technology. They are the perfect people to ask.

Is the rocking too intense?
There were times I was wondering if the rocking was too intense or not. Obviously, it wasn’t, but I was a paranoid parent who was still struggling with giving up control and trusting in the Snoo bassinet. I was shocked that within a week of calling them with that question, they released a software update regarding how vigorous the Snoo Smart Sleeper rocks.

Click the image to buy on Amazon!

The Snoo is cool. Let’s face it. The Snoo is cool. Just like we talked about earlier with our Apple comparisons, you can tell the Snoo is revolutionary. Remember when you used the Internet for the first time or when your jaw-dropped with the first touch screen cell phone? The Snoo brings out the same reaction in its users. Even the packaging was impressive.

30- Day Risk-Free Guarantee! This is quite possibly the best benefit of all. Snoo believes in its product so much that they want you to do your own honest Snoo review! They’re aware that their price tag is quite high, so they’ll give you a full refund within the first 30 days. Wait, there’s more! The company foots the bill for the return shipping, too! So what more reason do you need? To me, there being a 30 day guarantee spoke volumes as to the quality of their product.

The following is directly from the company’s website: “And remember, if you don’t totally love it, contact us within 30 days of receiving your SNOO and we’ll give you a full refund and pay for the return shipping,

The Blah:

Price. The Snoo will cost you a pretty penny at $1,295. Mhmm – I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Is this fool seriously telling me about a $1,295 baby bed?!” Yes, yes I am. But before you completely write me off, Snoo does offer a rental program as well that you can look into if you don’t want to buy it outright. While buying it outright is certainly the best option, renting works too. I personally bought my Snoo from Amazon and had a wonderful experience. The shipping was very fast and everything worked out flawlessly, which is usually the case with Amazon.

Here are 6 important points to consider about the price of The Snoo:

Yes, it’s a high price. But walk into any high-end store and you’ll easily drop a similar amount on any quality crib. Also, don’t cheap out when it comes to the health of your child… that’s something I often tell myself when it comes to financial decisions like this.

2. You can use the Snoo for approximately 6 months before you have to graduate to a crib. Conversely, if you’re the parent of a newborn without a crib, you’ll have to buy a Snoo… and then once your child turns 6 months, you’ll have to get a regular crib.

3. The night nurse! Remember when we talked about her earlier? That’s what the company uses as a comparison to their product. So obviously, when you compare the cost of a night nurse to the cost of a Snoo, then the product suddenly seems like a huge bargain! While it’s not an actual human night nurse, during my Snoo review, I did find that it was pretty much like having a robotic night nurse in the home tending to my baby’s needs while I did other things.

4. You can finally Netflix and chill with your significant other! Seriously though, imagine all that you can do with the massive amounts of time you’re going to free up. You’ll no longer be rocking/soothing your baby all the time because The Snoo will do it for you. Yeah, it’s difficult to calculate exactly how much that time saved is worth… but for most people, it’s a lot. Also, the price tag I put on getting more sleep (and extra time) is PRICELESS!

5. The rental program from the creators, Happiest Baby, is something to keep in mind.

6. Because of the high price, you can easily resell your Snoo Smart Sleeper. When you’re finished with it, selling it can be very easy and can significantly offset some of the cost.

Some more useful 411. Ok, so you know men get a bad reputation for never wanting to read instructions? It’s like we just want to open the box, throw away the instructions, and figure it all out ourselves. Well, with the Snoo, this is SUPER easy to do. Seriously… and pardon my French, but it was so darn simple to set up that we pretty much started using it straight away.

Click the image to buy on Amazon!

Hmm… but can I take it places? Yeah, it’s big. Yeah, it’s heavy… the Snoo isn’t some lightweight feather, but the features it’s packed with have to weigh something, right? During our trial with the Snoo, we had a hard time fitting the smart sleeper in our Malibu, but it fit into our SUV. However, don’t let that scare you! The Snoo white noise sounds are available on iTunes, so as long as you bring that exact white noise with you on trips, your baby will sleep fine outside of the Snoo for up to 7 days.

What does the Snoo come with? I’m glad you asked. Every purchase comes with the Snoo Sack we talked about earlier. For sizing, you get one small, one medium, and one large Snoo Sack swaddle… but wait, there’s more! (Sorry, please forgive my cheesy infomercial jokes). You also get one fitted sheet!If you want extra Snoo Sacks, you can buy them on Amazon by clicking this link right here. You’re going to need extras if your child spits up or throws up on the swaddle. You’ll either be buying more or doing more laundry. The Snoo Sack swaddles are a very similar price to regular swaddles. Think of it this way – you’d be buying multiple swaddles with or without the Snoo, right?

And as I pointed out before, I’ve tried many, many, many swaddles and the Snoo Sack was by the far the best.

Other important considerations:

You might feel guilty when you use the Snoo. I wasn’t expecting this to happen, but I did start to feel guilty at times after using this product. The Snoo worked very well for me, so I could’ve easily stopped rocking and calming my son altogether. I put him the Snoo and he’s getting much-needed rest and my wife and I get a bit of a break, but at what cost? Was I missing bonding time? I did feel guilty at times, but overall, I stopped feeling guilty because of the fact my son simply stopped crying as much. If he wasn’t crying, why should I feel guilty? I needed to stop equating using the Snoo to dropping your kid off at daycare 24/7, 365 days a year. Not the same thing. Toward the end, the guilt 100% disappeared, but guilt is a common theme in many other Snoo bassinet reviews.

The Snoo mobile app. The Snoo mobile app is constantly being improved. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed when using the app, but it got better and better after each update. Also, the folks over at Happiest Baby are happy to help out with any questions, as I mentioned earlier.

The verdict: Make a Life-Changing Decision

Ok, maybe buying a Snoo Smart Sleeper by Happiest Baby isn’t a LIFE changing decision since your child won’t be in the Snoo bassinet for his/her entire life, but that’s how it feels when you first start using it. Imagine opening up the Snoo, setting it up in only minutes, and finally giving yourself and your spouse some well-deserved relaxation.

It’s ok to let the Snoo bassinet take over some of your responsibilities. Don’t feel guilty. Should you get a Snoo? Ask yourself the following:

Can you spend over $1,000 on an item your child can only use for 6 months?

Do you have problems getting your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep?

Are you starting to get sleep deprived? Do YOU need more sleep, or perhaps your partner does?

If you can say yes to any of those questions, then I certainly believe you should get yourself a Snoo, no doubt about it. The Snoo is certain to improve your life nearly immediately. It’s incredible to watch your baby finally fall asleep without you needing to worry or stress.

If you are reading this Snoo Smart Sleeper review, especially if you made it this far into the article, then it’s obvious you do need the Snoo bassinet. Do yourself a favor and just buy it. I recommend purchasing through Amazon. What’s the worst that could happen? You don’t like it and send it back for a 100% refund, plus Happiest Baby will pay for the return shipping. If that’s the worst that can happen, it sounds like an easy choice to make.

And as far as the best thing that could happen? Well, you’d drastically improve your life, the lives of those living in your household, and most importantly, you’d be providing your baby with the safest sleep solution on the market and ensuring your little one stays healthy by getting his/her very important rest.

Remember, unless you have a newborn, your child’s time with the Snoo isn’t going to be very long. If your baby already sleeps quite well, you will certainly still notice the numerous safety benefits the Snoo sleeper provides. Happiest Baby did everything possible to ensure a safe design and it really shows.

Click the image to buy on Amazon!

One last thing about how much a Snoo costs:

Yes, it’s a lot of money to buy a Snoo. However, consider the following:

1. Are you planning on having more than one child? If you can reuse the Snoo on a second child in the future, the value is actually tremendous.

2. Can you resell the Snoo? Many people are doing Google searches for “used Snoo” based on my research, so the market is definitely there. If you want to buy a Snoo and resell it, you’ll almost certainly find a buyer and you’ll gain back of some of your initial cost. Since you can only use the bassinet for a limited amount of time, you’ll be able to predict about when you’ll need to resell it. That gives you plenty of time to plan that sale!

So, my final thoughts on the Snoo Smart Sleeper by Happiest Baby? It’s the poo (as in it’s the sh*t which is a GOOD thing!) If it’s within your budget to purchase this amazing robotic night nurse, robotic crib, AMAZING contraption, then you totally should.

I don’t regret it one bit and either will you. And if you do decide you regret it, Happiest Baby will return the product for you free of charge for a 100% refund. What do you have to lose?

So, are you ready for your own Snoo?

Click here to buy your own Snoo on Amazon!

Optional extras include:

Extra SNOO Sacks – I personally found it beneficial to have some extras on hand.

Extra sheets – If your baby spits up a lot, these extra sheets will be very handy.

SNOO Shorty Legs by Happiest Baby This is great if you have a platform bed. The Shorty Legs allow you to lower the Snoo so you can peek in and check on your little one easily.

Baby Won’t Sleep in Crib? 9 Easy Tricks

My baby won’t sleep in the crib!

Though the desire of every mum out there is to have their baby in their arms all the time, that might make it difficult for them to work. The baby sleeps anywhere in the first parenting days. It could be in a sling, in the arms of the parent, in a swing, or a bassinet. However, a time will come when a mum will want her precious bundle to sleep in the crib. The following are incredible tips for a parent to get their little ones to sleep in the crib with little fuss.

Prepare the Baby

Recent research has found that toddlers start to make association when they hit four months, which is the best time for getting your baby to sleep in the crib. However, parents should note that their babies may not be ready to be far away from them. As such, parents may have to wait for a while before transitioning them from bassinet to crib napping depending on their temperament. Whether your baby will sleep in the crib or bassinet, experts recommend parents to keep their toddlers in their bedroom at least for six months.

Adopt a Mini Bedtime Routine

Of course, no one should put their little ones into a different sleeping space and expect things to flow as usual. Instead, parents should consider a short naptime routine and altered sleep schedule, which should be similar to the bedtime one, but make it shorter. That makes a child start getting the idea that is sleep time. Experts recommend parents to change their kid’s diaper and sing and rock in the room where they will be napping.

Prepare the Space

The room where the child will be napping should be dark and cool and with a temperature of between 16C and 19C. The room should also be quiet, and parents should never make the mistake of leaving their toddlers in bright and loud and busy places. However, this rule only applies for the first few months when the toddler starts to learn from the surroundings. For extra comfort, try playing some soothing baby music for your little one.

Be a Stickler

Changing human behavior takes at least three weeks. As such, parents aren’t only changing the behavior of their babies but theirs as well. The crib will eventually become the norm for your baby if you stick with it for at least three weeks. Once the baby starts to sleep in the crib, having a one-off nap elsewhere won’t set him or her back.

Right Timing

Parents might need to keep their little ones busy with toys and tummy time when they are up. I also observe my kid for signs of drowsiness before putting him in a crib. The baby should be able to fall asleep if the parent does everything right. However, for babies under six months, parents might need to get their kids sleep in the crib several times if he or she doesn’t get sleep on the first go. If the baby doesn’t want to sleep in the crib, consider other techniques and then transfer him or her to the cot. However, parents can consider allowing their over six-years-old kids to fuss for a while to soothe them to fall asleep.

Focus on Comfort

Of course, I do whatever I can to relax my child until he becomes drowsy. I have to wear him out during the day and fill his day with stimulating activities that make him feel worn out and tired at night. As such, the baby isn’t likely to notice where he will sleep. Parents are recommended to engage their children in an active activity an hour before bedtime to help their kid burn off extra energy.

It might also be prudent to give the baby a warm bath and/or massage to soothe their effect and relax their muscles. However, parents should avoid baths before bedtime if their kids often wake up after taking a shower. Alternatively, try to rub the arms, back, and legs of the baby to relax the muscles. Parents can skip this step if it seems invigorating to their little ones.

Minimize Physical Discomfort

Physical discomfort and pain will keep a toddler awake even if he or she will sleep in the crib or mum’s bedroom. Conversely, minimizing these discomfort and pain will enable a toddler to sleep in the crib or elsewhere. You can give kids little food before they sleep in the crib to prevent him or her from getting hungry shortly after sleeping.

Parents can also consider introducing an air filter or purifier in their baby’s room to make it easier for them to breath. Contaminants from pets and fuzzy blankets can make it hard for toddlers to breath. With a doctor’s permission, parents can give their toddlers a small dose of painkiller to relieve their teething pain.

As a parent, I make sure my little one is in pajama before getting to the bed. Nightclothes made of cotton is recommendable for babies with sensitive skin.

Proximal Sleeping

For the first few months, parents may consider getting their baby sleep the in the crib or their room until he or she is comfortable enough to sleep alone. After that, parents should add distance between themselves and their baby’s crib until the baby falls asleep.

Though the comfort of a parent might take a dent, air mattresses and fold-away beds can work as an alternative. Repeat the same for at least three weeks to allow the baby to adapt to their new sleep routine. After that, a parent can move onto a couch that is next to the crib as the toddler falls asleep. If the baby objects to the change, parents should comfort him or her as they move forward.

Simple songs and book can be helpful in getting a baby fall asleep. Unless the baby has excessive restlessness or abnormal, extensive crying fits, parents should take only a few days in this stage. Parents might need to give their little ones enough time to fall asleep.

If the toddler starts to cry, the parent should fight the urge to check on him or her; instead, they should wait for a few seconds before checking on them. If the baby continues to cry, the parent should comfort him and reassure him that all is well. You might need to calm the baby down a couple of times if he continues to cry even after calming him down. However, a parent might need to pick the baby and check if all is well, and then repeat the above process until he falls asleep.

Set a Bedtime Routine

Three months are enough for a parent to notice their baby’s bedtime routine. However, bedtime routines tend to vary, but most kids sleep after their diaper is changed and taking a warm bath. Baths before bed might not work for some babies, especially those that often experience a winding after a warm bath.

Parents should take time to observe the best bedtime routine for their toddlers and stick with it. Likewise, parents may consider injecting a little liveliness in their feeding program by speaking to their kids or singing a nursery rhyme to them. However, parents are recommended to minimize background noise as much as they can and create a tranquil ambiance. It is prudent to introduce a security object to a child immediately the toddler hits six months.

Toddlers start to exhibit signs of the anxiety of separation around seven months, so comfortable items such as a stuffed animal or worn-in blanket can go a long way there. A breastfeeding mother can try to express a little breast milk and put it in the security object to give their kids perception of closeness to them.

Caution, parents should not allow babies under six months to sleep with stuffed toys or blanket to minimize the risk of SIDS. Parents can also lay the foundation for the transition of their toddlers and allow them time to play and sleep in the crib. Likewise, it’s prudent for a parent to explain every move and use descriptors to point out the reasoning behind every new arrangement. Parents should let their little ones know their move’s significance and affirm their growing bravery and independence.

Conclusion

Give the toddler at least a week to grow before moving to the next step. Of course, parents don’t have to explain when introducing their infant to napping in the cot, but allowing them ample to play and sleep in the crib is crucial for their comfort in the new environment.

Though some parents love co-sleeping with their newborns, some don’t. Mine prefer to shut his little eyes in my arms. However, the internet is cluttered with resources that parents can use to make their kid’s transition and sleep in the crib safely and comfortably. Parents should take time to select the right crib for their newborns to make the change as seamless as possible. Assume the crib is where the child will spend his or her night or nap times. Adopt the above tricks today for a baby’s peaceful and smooth transition to the crib.

Is Your Baby Sleeping Too Much? Look for these signs.

Help! Is My Baby Sleeping Too Much?

As a new parent, you are most likely often sleep-deprived and savor the moments that your infant is sleeping. You should be aware of the sleeping needs infants and what is a normal sleep schedule for newborns. If your baby is sleeping too much, it’s just as bad as if your baby is sleeping too little.

How Much Should My Baby Sleep?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborn infants sleep approximately 16 to 18 hours. The hours an infant sleep are typically not consecutive, as their internal biological clock and circadian rhythm have not yet developed.

This makes an infant’s sleep schedule erratic. They often sleep at different hours of the day for various lengths of time, sometimes sleeping too much and other times not enough. It should be noted that all infants are different and their environmental and genetic predisposition may cause differentiation in their sleep schedule.

For example, an infant that was born prematurely born may sleep for longer lengths of time versus an infant who has colic. If your child is eating well and using the bathroom regularly, you shouldn’t worry that your baby is sleeping too much. Feeding and having regular bowel movements is a sign that your baby is healthy and getting an adequate amount of sleep.

If your infant is tired often, irritable, or overstimulated, they may not be getting enough sleep. If you are concerned that your infant is not getting enough sleep, you should contact your pediatrician and have them evaluate your concerns.

Guidelines for Infant Sleep

How much sleep does your baby need? A baby needs proper sleep balance. A baby sleeping too much is unhealthy, similar to how not getting enough sleep is dangerous. There are general guidelines that may help you evaluate how much sleep your child needs. Keep in mind that your infant does not yet have a circadian rhythm or internal biological clock so their sleep patterns are not going to be related to daylight or night cycles. As a newborn grows, they will begin to sleep at night while waking several times to feed.

Typically, infants do not have a regulated sleep schedule until they are approximately six months old. Newborns are generally not awake for more than three hours at a time, so a baby sleeping too much at that age shouldn’t be a concern. Typically infants sleep in periods of 30 to 45 minutes and up to three to four hours. For newborns, it is normal if they wake up only for feedings and go back to sleep afterward. Infants typically do not have sleep styles that are consistent. The total amount of time that your child sleeps each day may fluctuate up to two hours.

Is My Baby Sleeping Enough?

The number of naps your infant takes may fluctuate as well. If your baby is sleeping too much, carefully monitor the duration of time your child spends asleep. Similarly, you may need to work on fixing your child’s sleep schedule. The following guidelines are a general idea of how much infants should sleep each day:

Newborns should sleep approximately 8.5 hours each night with three daily naps that total to 7 hours, with 15.5 hours of total sleeping time. If you exceed this, your baby is sleeping too much.
Three months old babies should be sleeping approximately 10 hours each night, with three daily naps totaling seven hours each day, with 15 hours of total sleeping time.
Six months old babies should be sleeping approximately 11 hours each night, with two daily naps lasting 3.4 hours, with 15 hours of total sleeping time.
Nine months old babies should be sleeping approximately 11 hours each night, with two daily naps that total three hours, and 13 hours of total sleeping time.
12-month-old babies should be sleeping 11.5 hours each night, with two daily naps that total two and a half hours, with 13 hours of total sleeping time.

Your baby is sleeping too much (or too little) if their sleep patterns fall outside of the recommended ranges listed above.

What Causes Infants to Sleep Too Much?

A baby that sleeps too much is generally not a reason to be concerned unless the infant is experiencing other symptoms. Some reasons why a healthy baby may sleep too much include the following:

Getting immunizations
Not getting quality sleep due to illness, like a respiratory infection that may make it difficult for them to breathe
A growth spurt
Having a minor illness, like the common cold

Some infants may sleep too much because they have jaundice. Infants with jaundice have yellowish toned skin and the whites of their eyes appear yellow. The symptoms of jaundice in infants include:

Being irritable
Lack of appetite
Appearing lethargic

Another reason your baby sleeps too much may be related to diet. Many times, a baby sleeps too much if he or she is not eating enough food. Infants who do not eat enough will lose too much weight, experience increased dehydration, and possibly suffer from a failure to thrive. Some parents have issues knowing if their infant is getting enough to eat, especially those who are breastfeeding. If this is the case for you, contacting a pediatrician and a consultant who specializes in breastfeeding will allow you to ensure that your infant is getting enough food.

Signs and Symptoms of Baby Oversleeping

If your baby is sleeping too much, ensure your child is eating enough. Here are some signs that your baby is oversleeping because of hunger:

Being unresponsive or lethargic
Gaining less than 6 ounces per week
They are not calmer after they eat
They are producing less than four wet diapers each day

In some cases, an infant could have a medical condition that enables your baby to sleep too much. For example, heart disorders and breathing disorders typically affect sleep. Premature infants may also have different sleeping patterns compared to infants who were delivered at full-term.

What To Do If Your Baby Is Sleeping Too Much

Typically, babies who are sleeping too much are usually on an irregular sleep schedule. If you become concerned that your infant’s sleep schedule is irregular due to health issues (i.e., respiratory infection, etc.) you should contact your child’s pediatrician for consultation. Some strategies that you should try before contacting your pediatrician include:

Ensuring that your infant is not too hot or cold
Feeding your infant each time they show cues that they are hungry
Offering your infant food every one to two hours to make sure they are getting enough to eat
Keep a journal of your infant’s sleep schedule for one to two days

When You Should Contact Your Pediatrician

If you aren’t sure that your child is sleeping normally, you should contact your pediatrician for consultation. A pediatrician will be able to tell you if your baby is sleeping too much. Your infant’s pediatrician is the only person who will be able to correctly diagnose the reasons why your child is sleeping more than normal. In some cases, your pediatrician may be able to provide consultation over the phone. Infants that sleep too much are typically not in danger, but if they show signs that they are having trouble breathing you should immediately contact your pediatrician and visit the emergency room. Signs of respiratory distress in infants include:

Wheezing or gasping for air
Breathing very loudly
Flaring of the nostrils when they breathe
Sinking of the skin around the ribs when breathing
Fever
Eating, inhaling or touching something toxic

Conclusion

Finding a consistent rhythm for your child’s sleep patterns will be a challenge. It may take a while, but your infant will eventually develop a sleep routine. If your baby is sleeping too much, don’t worry. You will eventually be able to recognize what is normal and what is abnormal for your child after some time. Worrying if your baby is sleeping too much is a normal concern for parents. Being concerned about your child’s sleep pattern may lead to detecting issues early. If you have any concerns that your child may have health issues that are causing irregular sleep patterns or causing your baby to oversleep, you should consult your pediatrician.

What is the Ferber Sleep Method? Unraveling the Mysteries and Controversy.

The Ferber Method is a controversial method of sleep training that deserves a closer look. Welcoming a new baby into the family is a joyous occasion, but it does mean accepting the need for certain lifestyle changes. This is never more apparent than when it comes time to sleep. Babies do sleep quite a bit, but their sleep patterns are so irregular that it can keep you from getting the quality sleep you need. This is where the Ferber Method may or may not help.

What is the Ferber Method?

Named after Dr. Richard Ferber, the Ferber Method is a type of sleep training that is commonly used by parents across the country. This method has similarities and differences to the popular “cry it out” and “controlled crying” sleep method. Keep in mind, we have our own method which has helped over 17,000 babies which you can read about by clicking here… and it’s SO much more humane than the Ferber approach!

The Ferber Method essentially involves letting your child cry himself to sleep, so he will learn to sleep through the night. This can also be used to compel the baby to take longer naps. The Ferber sleep method is a training tool that will help your baby adjust to a normal routine of sleep and wakefulness.

It can become an issue for the whole family to let your baby cry for extended periods of time, so Ferber sleep methods employ timed schedules. The baby is left to cry for longer periods of time until he eventually adapts to being left alone. Many parents find that the Ferber Method is the most effective way of teaching a baby to adhere to a more normal pattern of sleep.

The ultimate goal of the Ferber Method of sleep training is to teach your baby to fall asleep without the help of the parents. This is the first step in helping the baby sleep throughout each night. Once your baby is able to fall asleep on his own through this type of sleep training, he will be able to sleep throughout the night just as well. Even when a sleep cycle ends and the baby awakens, he will be able to fall back asleep without crying out. Over time, your baby will sleep through the night without waking frequently.

What is the Ferber Method Controversy?

There is a difference of opinion among both parents and pediatricians concerning the effects that the Ferber Method has on infants. Addressing the controversy, many pediatricians suggest that Ferber sleep schedules be avoided until the infant is at least three months of age. That concern over this type of sleep training has to do with the needs of the infant rather than any long-term effects to the infant.

Prior to three months, babies often cry out as a means of expressing a need. For instance, they may still rely upon nighttime feedings at this young age or they may be in an uncomfortable position. Ignoring a younger baby’s cries can be a mistake, so parents are urged to avoid this type of sleep training until they’re older.

Is The Ferber Method Harmful?

The controversy surrounding the Ferber sleep method has been further ignited by the belief that the sleep training schedule can cause brain damage. There have been suggestions that allowing an infant to cry continuously can result in digestive problems or in damage to synapses in the brain. Some doctors recommend that parents should always respond to a cry, but not always by picking the infant up. There should be different types of responses to let the infant know his parents are close by, but also to help him learn to self-regulate sleep for himself.

Conversely, Dr. Craig Canapari disagrees that the Ferber Method causes harm to an infant. As an associate professor of pediatrics as well as a director of sleep medicine research at Yale University, Dr. Canapari is uniquely qualified to address the issues raised in this controversy. He says there’s no reason to believe allowing a child to cry out will have any physical effects on the child. He points out that infants and children frequently cry and it just doesn’t result in the physical harm that critics of the Ferber sleep method suggest.

Dr. Canapari adds that the Ferber Method is a type of strictly regulated sleep training that is very dissimilar from parental neglect. In this type of sleep training, the parent complies with a set schedule for responding to an infant’s cries, so the child will adjust to being left alone for longer intervals. In this way, the parent isn’t ignoring the infant, but is just waiting to give the infant time to calm himself.

Parents who are considering the Ferber Method should consult their pediatrician first. Following a specific schedule will give your sleep training efforts a better chance for success. For more information, please see our post dedicated to fixing your child’s sleep schedule. Additionally, babies with medical issues may not respond well to the Ferber Method and failing to respond to cries in unhealthy children can have negative effects on the infant’s overall health.

Starting Sleep Training with Your Infant

The best time to start sleep training is between four and six months. Although you can use the Ferber Method with children up to two years old, older children won’t respond as well to the process. Parents should also be aware that the third night of training is often the worst, so they shouldn’t expect to get much sleep on those nights. Instead of going to sleep, the infant will spend much of their bedtime crying out, because the sleep training experience is new to them.

Those nights that the infant cries the most are frustrating for parents and many parents give up after these two or three nights. However, this is known as the “extinction burst” and it’s actually a sign of improvement. Sticking with the Ferber Method after this period will allow you to see improvements in how well your infant goes to sleep. When you stick with the sleep training, you will notice that the crying gradually reduces over the ensuing three to four nights.

The most important thing to remember is that you and your partner have to be consistent. Altogether, the Ferber Method should take only a few days up to a week. However, letting an infant cry feels cruel to some parents and they often give in to their urge to pick the baby up. The results of this will be that the infant will learn that crying out will result in attention from one parent. Instead of going to sleep, as this method of sleep training is designed to enforce, the child’s crying will likely get worse. If you have been using the Ferber Method for more than a week, this is an indication that there’s a problem.

What Should a Ferber Method Sleep Schedule Look Like?

Although you and your pediatrician may alter the schedule to adapt to your unique situation, most Ferber schedules look similar. Below is a general schedule that may work for you with little or no modifications.

Day 1

First response – 3 minutes
Second response – 5 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 10 minutes

Day 2

First response – 5 minutes
Second response – 10 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 12 minutes

Day 3

First response – 10 minutes
Second response – 12 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 15 minutes

Day 4

First response – 12 minutes
Second response – 15 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 17 minutes

Day 5

First response – 15 minutes
Second response – 17 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 20 minutes

Day 6

First response – 17 minutes
Second response – 20 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 25 minutes

Day 7

First response – 20 minutes
Second response – 25 minutes
Third and subsequent responses – 30 minutes

You shouldn’t use the above schedule as a rigid rule, but rather as a flexible guideline. For instance, if you feel your child needs more time to adjust to the Day 3 schedule, try using it again on the following night. Once your baby responds better to that schedule, resume with the Day 4 on the following night. As long as you can observe improvement in your child’s sleep patterns, you can feel confident that the training schedule is working. Some infants respond more quickly to Ferber training, while other children take a little longer to adapt.

Conclusion

While the Ferber Method is commonly used by many families, it’s not always the best solution. If you have tried the method and have been consistent in applying it on a nightly basis, a lack of improvement may indicate that your child just isn’t responding well. There may be other reasons for the infant’s inability to fall asleep. In this case, it may be time to consult your pediatrician about the problem. He may examine your child and discover what is keeping him from sleeping. Your child’s doctor may also recommend an alternative sleep training routine that will be more effective with your baby.

Sources:

https://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/basics/the-ferber-method-explained/
https://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/issues/why-the-cry-it-out-method-is-so-controversial/

Can Music Help A Baby Sleep? Here’s The Truth.

Can Music Help A Baby Sleep?

Sleep is a precious commodity. It sharpens our minds, refreshes our souls, and heals our bodies. For babies, sleep is an essential aspect of their development. Babies sleep so much (but hopefully not too much) because the rest helps their bodies and brains to develop. Music plays an essential role in both the development of your baby and in its ability to achieve restful sleep.

The Science Behind Playing Music To Help Babies Fall Asleep

The truth is that babies are not so dissimilar from adults. Although their brains aren’t fully developed and their bodies are much smaller than yours, the basic structures of the baby’s brain are intact and functional.

This includes the auditory cortex portion of their brain that processes sound, language, and music. Baby sleep music is becoming very popular, even while the baby is still in the womb. Your pediatrician and other baby experts tell you to talk to your child while it grows in the womb. That this will help it to learn your voice. They even tell you to place headphones around your belly to play music for your baby to listen to while it grows.

This is because the auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex and is one of the first portions of the human brain to develop in utero. Due to these delicate stages of prenatal development, the hearing of sound becomes a very important way for you to stimulate and bond with your child.

In fact, playing music for your child in utero can help to create the foundation of their reaction and appreciation for music once they’re born. Using baby sleep music in utero will make it easier for you to use music as a way of helping your child to fall asleep at night while they’re lying in their crib. The music will already be familiar to them, so it will create a sense of comfort and familiarity in your baby’s mind to help ease them into a state of relaxation that promotes a night of deep sleep.

One thing you may notice, even in your adult years, is that there is something magical about the sound of baby sleep music. Playing one of your favorite songs can help to soothe your anger, focus your mind, and help you to find tranquility and relaxation. You know firsthand what the power of a good song or a familiar tune can do for your mind, body, and spirit. Babies experience this same calming sensation when their auditory cortexes are exposed to pleasant-sounding baby sleep music.

Just like certain soundtracks can help lull you to sleep, like nature sounds or thunderstorm sounds, there are certain sounds that can also soothe a baby’s brain to the point that it begins to wind down and slip into a peaceful and deep slumber.

Not All Music Is Designed To Aid Your Baby In Falling Asleep

If your time spent in college taught you anything, it taught you that human beings are capable of falling asleep during the most chaotic and boisterous of situations. This isn’t true for your baby. Your baby cannot fall asleep with heavy metal playing or with baby sleep music that possesses high pitches and deep bass.

These two types of sound, in particular, affect the auditory cortex in such a way that it acts as a stimulant rather than as a relaxant. Not all music is designed to aid your baby in falling asleep. If you’re looking for a few bits of advice on how to choose the best sleep music for babies to help them to fall asleep, you’ve come to the right place.

Lullabies are a popular choice for parents. Lullabies are specifically designed to promote a sense of comfort and familiarity in your child at bedtime. You must be careful when choosing the lullabies to play during your child’s bedtime. Certain lullabies are designed to be enjoyed during playtime or during a long car ride. Make sure you choose a collection of lullabies that are meant to be played during bedtime. These lullabies are created with soothing instruments and background ambiance that won’t overstimulate your baby’s brain.

Classical baby sleep music is another popular choice of bedtime music for babies. Classical music contains no lyrics, which can be distracting and overwhelming for a baby’s brain, and also contains soothing, gentle instruments and tones rather than heavy percussion. The best type of classical music for your baby’s bedtime would be the kind that plays in elevators or that plays over the phone while a company has you on hold.

Another effective choice is spa music. When you go to the spa or to the masseuse, there’s usually soothing baby sleep music playing over the speakers. Spas and massage parlors will typically play music that incorporates natural sounds, such as waterfalls and rustling trees, wind instruments, string instruments, and piano. All of these sounds combined create a symphony of harmonic melodies that can tame even the most stubborn of babies.

There Are Benefits That Accompany The Playing of Music For Babies During Sleepy Time

The main purpose of playing music for babies at bedtime is to get them to fall asleep at a decent hour while ensuring that the sleep they receive is restful and refreshing. This is a noble cause, but playing music for your baby at bedtime can have some unexpected benefits.

Music played to help your child to fall asleep can actually help to reduce any growing or teething pains they’re experiencing. A study was conducted by a London hospital that yielded interesting results. It showed that children felt less pain while listening to music. The popular theory for this scientific phenomenon is that the emotional part of the brain is stimulated by music to a degree that it helps to distract the brain from responding to pain stimulus.

Baby sleep music speaks to the mind in ways that words cannot.

Playing music for your baby while they sleep can also help to increase their overall brain development. Baby sleep music speaks to the mind in ways that words cannot. This is true for babies as well as for adults. Babies who listen to music while they fall asleep will be introduced to a myriad of emotional stimuli. These emotional stimuli will help your baby to increase its emotional intelligence.

As your baby begins to feel more complex emotions, the world will become a richer place. Your baby will begin to feel more connected to the world around it and to you. This gentle emotional stimulus will also help your child to better understand itself and to learn to recognize patterns. The recognition of patterns is the cornerstone of both critical thinking and problem-solving.

Tips To Effectively Playing Music For Babies To Help Them To Fall Asleep

It may seem like the act of playing music to help your baby to fall asleep would be a simple task without many details about which to worry. This is not entirely accurate. There are a few tricks when it comes to playing music for your baby that will make the process more effective and better received by your baby.

Volume

When it comes to playing music, the music’s volume is a very vital detail that should be worked out immediately. It stands to reason that louder music would be too much stimulus for your child. Although the music is meant to calm and soothe, turning up soothing music to an incredibly loud volume can cause your baby’s brain to become more active as it processes both the music and the loudness, distracting the brain from settling into sleep mode.

Placement

The placement of the device that will play music for your child goes hand-in-hand with the volume. The further away the music device is, the louder you will have to set the volume so that the baby can hear it. Try placing the device next to the crib or a few feet away from the crib. This will ensure that the music isn’t an overwhelming force that would arouse rather than soothe the baby’s senses.

Duration

Psychologists and sleep experts suggest that you play music for your baby a few hours before bedtime but not all night long. As soon as your baby seems to be falling asleep, turn off the music. This is to prevent the music from becoming a sleep crutch for your baby. This means that your baby will become so dependent on listening to music to fall asleep that they’ll need to listen to it anywhere they fall asleep, creating complicated situations. The duration of the music should last a couple of hours leading up to bedtime. This will help to get them into the right emotional and mental state for sleep without creating a dependency issue.

Playlist Versus Repetition

This detail is really a personal preference that will differ from baby to baby. Your baby may respond more positively to a playlist of different bedtime songs. Alternatively, your baby may prefer to listen to the same song on repeat. Experiment with both and see which one yields better results.

Conclusion

Bedtime is a time to recover from the stresses of the day and to allow your baby to bond with you. Keep in mind that your baby is used to hearing your voice. Your voice is the most melodic, soothing, and comforting sound that it knows. Don’t hesitate to sing to your child to create your own baby sleep music to help your child fall asleep and stay asleep.

How to Quickly Fix a Baby’s Sleep Schedule

Help! How Can I Fix My Baby’s Sleep Schedule?

When a baby isn’t sleeping well, it is easy for parents to become concerned. Fixing your baby’s sleep schedule is very important and can be accomplished quite easily by using the SleepBaby.org method. You can correct sleep related problems and have restful, quiet nights in your home with a few simple tips.

While babies are still in the womb, they tend to sleep mostly when the mother is awake because of the rocking movements that make it fall asleep. When you are sleeping at night, you have probably felt the baby begin to play inside of you as the rocking movement are no longer there to keep it asleep.

That is why when the baby is born, it’s schedule tends to be the opposite of yours, and you might experience quite a few sleepless nights. Luckily for you, you can fix your baby’s sleep schedule so that you can get a good night’s sleep which is just as important for your baby as it is for you.

Why A Child’s Sleep Schedule Matters

Why is it important to fix your baby’s sleep schedule? If the baby is not sleeping at night, you are not either. This can make you tired throughout the day when you need to tend to your baby’s needs. The fatigue and tension that comes from it are best to be fixed as soon as possible so that you can feel well throughout the day and be present emotionally for your little one.

Addressing the Cause of Baby’s Poor Sleep Schedule

There are many reasons why your baby may be waking up at night. When you address one or multiple of those issues, you may just find the reason why your baby is waking up at night. Then you can choose how to fix your baby’s sleep schedule.

Too Much Stimulation

It is correct to assume that children need to be active throughout the day to sleep well at night. This daily share of activities and excitement is best to be saved for the earlier part of the day. Many times we tend to start playing with our children right before they go to bed. Splashing in the bathtub or a nighttime watching of videos can be counterproductive to the sleep schedule for your baby. When the baby is excited it might be hard for it to relax into sleep.

Overly Sensitive Baby

Some babies are just more sensitive than others to external and internal factors. It could be a noise that bothers the baby or the discomfort of digestion. Even something like tags on the clothes can bother it if it’s one of the more sensitive babies. These little things may not bother it so much during the day when there is a lot going on, but at night all of this makes a big impression on the baby.

Lack of Light

If the room that your baby is sleeping in is not light enough and at the same time it gets no time to spend outside, it could have a hard time sleeping at night. While the dark is necessary for sleeping, too little exposure to light during the day can make the baby wake up during the night more often.

A Nighttime Snack

If you feed your baby right before laying it to sleep, it might already associate sleep time with food. This is especially true if the baby falls asleep at your breast. This is one of the most common causes of a nocturnal sleep schedule for the baby. When your baby wakes up during the night, it might assume that it needs to eat in order to drift off into sleep.

Short or No Naptime

Babies who do not like to snooze during the daytime are more prone to waking up at night. To fix your baby’s sleep schedule it will have to have a persistent downtime during the day.

Used to Being Held

While it is important to have a strong connection with your child, some babies become dependent on being held and rocked in order to go to sleep. This can be tiring for you to do during the night whenever it wakes up as it means you abandoning your sleep entirely. When you fix your baby’s sleep schedule, you will also benefit with more energy and a better mood.

You Can’t Stand a Fuss

While babies are presented as creatures that drift off into sleep as soon as they touch the pillow, this is not always the case. Many times it takes a while before the baby goes into a deep slumber. If you make some noise in the room and it fusses a little, you might be tempted to tend to it at the moment which is not helping you create a good sleep schedule for your baby.

Fixing the Sleep Schedule for Your Baby

There are various ways to fix your baby’s sleep schedule depending on what is the reason behind your baby’s waking. Here are ways to create a healthy sleep schedule for your baby.

Have a Bedtime Routine

It is important to give your baby time to wind down before going to bed. Replace any kind of stimulating activities with ones that contribute to relaxation. It is especially important to leave out the TV or electronic devices as they are too stimulating for your baby’s nervous system.

When choosing a bedtime routine, it is important to consider your baby’s temperament and what really makes it more relaxed. While some babies may relax during bathtime, there are other babies that love playing in the bath. If your baby is one that gets excited during bathtime, it is better to skip it.

Consider giving your baby a massage, reading them a book if they are a little older, putting on relaxing music, and dimming the lights. Do not forget your mood as well — if you are tense, your baby will pick up on it. Do something relaxing for yourself as well.

Address Any Irritants

To fix your baby’s sleep schedule is it is very sensitive, you will need to check all of the things surrounding her. Remove any tags on its clothes, use soft bedding, and make sure that the room it sleeps in is as dark as possible. Remove anything that could make a sudden or startling sound like a phone.

Provide Steady Stimulation

While sudden and sharp stimulants can be annoying to your child, a complete lack of stimulation can also be bothersome for very young babies. Inside the womb, the baby is used to all kinds of sounds, rocking, and the walls of the womb wrapped tightly around it. Having a soft blanket, swishing sounds, or gentle rocking of the cradle will provide it with the relaxation it was used to inside the womb.

Expose to Light During the Day

Sometimes in order to fix your baby’s sleep schedule, you need to give it plenty of light during the day. Morning light is the most important for this. When you expose your baby to daylight during the morning, melatonin production is suppressed.

Melatonin is the hormone that makes us stay asleep. When it is not produced during the day, it peaks during the nighttime giving your baby a good night’s sleep. Sometimes this is enough to fix your baby’s sleep schedule.

Feed Baby Early

You can fix your baby’s sleep schedule by slowly cutting the association of sleep time with feeding. If it is used to nursing just as it goes to bed, it is best to feed the baby before the naptime routine that you will use. If you can, try to avoid feeding your baby in the room it sleeps in altogether. This will remove any associations that it has between sleep and eating.

Daytime Naps

Take the chance for a daytime nap as soon as you can in order to fix your baby’s sleep schedule. If you notice your baby getting heavy eyes or yawning during the day, use the moment to lay it down. When the baby becomes too tired, it is often harder for it to go to sleep so you have to catch the moment early on.

Use the same thing you use when you are laying down to sleep at night. If you use a lullaby, do so just before it falls asleep for a nap. Even if the whole time the baby is just cooing, it is still better to have this downtime than none at all.

Give Your Baby Time

Sometimes you might be impatient and expect your baby to fall asleep on the second. If she begins fussing or crying, let her do so for a few minutes before you tend to it in the usual way. She might settle herself in a few minutes. If the crying persists, it is best to be by her side and pat her gently letting her know that you are there but that it is time to go to sleep.

Fix Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule!

Some parents turn to the controlled crying method in order to fix the baby’s sleep. This consists of letting your child cry for some time until it learns that sleep time is strictly meant for sleep. You should still check up on your baby regularly to make sure that everything is all right and to reassure it of your presence.

If this method is not your preferred one to fix your baby’s sleep schedule, you might take on the role of a comforter and co-sleep with your baby. When you fall asleep with your baby and cuddle it, it will feel safer and know that it is time for sleep.

Does The Cry It Out Method Work To Help Baby Sleep? Pros and Cons

Sleep Training Your Baby By Letting Them Cry It Out

If your child struggles with settling down at bedtime, then it can be a huge burden on your sleep schedule.

There’s nothing worse than being woken up in the middle of the night to find your baby wandering around the house. It’s not only frustrating, but it can be dangerous as well. One of the most common techniques is the cry it out method. We’ll go over the basics, and you can decide if it’s the right sleep training method for your child. Perhaps you should try the “controlled crying” method instead. Please read both of our articles before making a choice.

Every parent knows how tough it can be to get your precious bundle of joy to calm down for the night. Sure, you can try music, but sometimes it’s just plain difficult. It’s not always an easy job, but there are ways you can make it easier for your baby to get the rest they need.

You might not even know how much is really going on. Pay attention when you wake up in the mornings. Keep an eye out for things that are out of place. Finding toys in places they weren’t the evening before is a big warning sign.

The best way to get to the bottom of the problem is by using baby monitors. You can keep track of exactly when they wake up every night. It might just be a problem with their sleeping habits. This will help you pinpoint the causes of your baby’s restlessness. Keep a journal of how often they wake up.

Get Ride Of Distractions Before Diving Into Sleep Training

Sleep training could be the answer you’re looking for, but let’s make sure nothing else is causing the problem before starting the cry it out method.

If your baby is already able to walk on their own, then don’t make it easy for them to get their hands on favorite items. A child will often get up to play as soon as they wake up. Keep all of their toys neatly stored when bedtime rolls around.

This goes without saying, but don’t leave the television on when your baby is sleeping. That means turning all smart devices off. It’s a good idea to keep stuffed animals out of the bed as well.

You might have a rough time taking those things away when your baby is already used to them. Just keep in mind that you are doing what’s best for them. Make sure your child knows that bedtime is the opposite of playtime. It will save you a lot of trouble later on down the road.

Here are some standards you should practice in your house each night:

Keep toys neatly stored
All electronics should be turned off at least 60 minutes before bed
No stuffed animals in the bed

The Cry It Out Method

If you’ve tackled all the usual culprits without any luck, then it’s time to take the next step. Many babies will wake up constantly for the first few months for no real reason. It’s just a fact of life that we all have to go through. Your baby might be waking up because they are hungry. Always check to make sure before following this method.

Letting your baby cry it out is exactly what it sounds like. Here’s how it works.

Check-In On Your Baby

This is the most important step. You’ll want to make absolutely sure your baby isn’t crying because they need you. Check for a dirty diaper. Hold them for a minute, and try to give them a bottle. The goal is to get them to calm down, and they’ll hopefully get back to sleep on their own. Letting your baby cry it out isn’t an excuse to ignore them.

Leave The Room

This is the hardest part. You’ve made sure your baby is fine, but the crying doesn’t stop. Lay them back in bed as comfortably as possible. Then leave the room for a few minutes. It’s not going to be easy. New parents are going to have the toughest time with this step. You can sit quietly in the next room to see if your baby will fall back to sleep on their own.

Return To The Room In Intervals

The amount of time you wait between coming back is up to you. Let them cry it out for five to ten minutes. Start with short intervals of a few minutes, then work your way up to longer times. You’ll want to slowly wean them from needing your attention. Try to avoid comforting too much. You can be the judge on when your baby needs to be held.

You’ll eventually be able to check on your child without having to keep returning. This style of sleep training will eventually teach your child how to fall asleep on their own.

Are There Any Negatives To Letting Your Baby Cry It Out?

All sleep training methods have their own downsides. Letting them cry it out is no exception. Here are a few key cons of the “cry it out method” to be on the lookout for:

Be Comforting When Things Get Out Of Hand

You don’t want to leave your baby alone to cry it out for long periods of time. It’s perfectly fine to hold them if you make an effort to space it out. You want to slowly get them into the groove of self-soothing. Completely ignoring them is not the proper way to do it.

Make Sure They Are Alright

You shouldn’t immediately jump right into comforting, but you should ensure your baby is doing alright. Look for problems. Change their diaper if it’s dirty. Have a bottle ready just in case. Try not to be too comforting when you first enter the room.

You don’t want your baby to associate crying it out when they wake up to getting attention. Let them know that everything is fine, then give them some time to cry it out on their own.

Babies That Are Six Months Old

This is around the time when your baby starts to understand separation from you. It’s a beautiful point in a baby’s development when they first start to miss you. It’s the sweetest thing you’ll ever experience, but it’s also a huge cause for sleepless nights.

If your baby is at this age, then you might just want to put the cry it out technique on the back-burner. There isn’t much you can do except being the loving parent that they need. Your baby misses you. Miss some sleep for them.

Benefits Of The Cry It Out Method

Let’s look at the positive side of crying it out. There are a lot of benefits for everyone. You’ll just need to stay consistent. Patience really pays off when sleep training your infant.

Your Baby Learns To Self-Soothe

This is a very important skill that everyone needs to learn at some point in life. It helps your baby know that you are always right there when they need you. You’ll see fewer instances of nightly crying.

Your child will still let you know when they need to be fed. They’ll just be more likely to fall back to sleep when nothing is wrong. It’s a win for everybody.

You’ll Know When Something Is Wrong

Your baby won’t cry as often in the night, and they’ll quit crying quicker. You’ll have a pretty good feel for when they need to be fed or changed. Don’t forget to always check no matter how small the situation seems. Just be a little quieter when checking on them. Try to give them their space as often as possible while maintaining good parenting habits.

They’ll Naturally Build Good Sleeping Habits

There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing your child is safe. It’s not bad to get plenty of rest yourself. They’ll be happier throughout the day. You’ll see fewer temper tantrums. Bedtime will be even easier once their internal clock gets on schedule. It will be as natural as ever before you know it. Just hang in there. Stay consistent with any sleep training methods you decide to use.

3 tweaks you can make to the Cry It Out Method:

We can’t say it enough. Consistency is the key to a successful sleep training program. Your determination is going to make a difference eventually. There are so many ways you can tweak crying it out:

You can create a nighttime routine before bed.
You can set thirty minutes aside to cuddle with them before bedtime comes.
It could be as simple as limiting feeding in the evening.

Stick to it and things will get better!

You’ll have hurdles along the way, but it’s worth every second. don’t get discouraged when a sleep schedule falls apart. Little things like catching a cold can totally disrupt sleep schedules for days.

It’s going to be just fine in the end. You’ll know when to change things up. That’s what being a parent is all about.

Does Controlled Crying Work? Pros and Cons

When you have a new child, sleep becomes a luxury, especially for the first few weeks. If you do not have help and are handling the whole change by yourself, you might find yourself sleepwalking.

Most of us search online for tips to get the baby to sleep, but the tips included there are not always successful. Buying sleep essential for the baby and singing lullabies may also not always help with the situation. This is why we have physicians and institutions promoting sleep training as a way of helping babies get themselves to sleep earlier.

With this approach, your toddler will not only go to bed with minimal hitches, but also the wakes in the middle of the night will be minimal.

There are two sleep training methods: “controlled crying” and “cry it out” approach. Before settling on either method, you should consult your pediatrician to establish that it is right for the baby.

Before considering any of the training methods, it is important to ensure that the baby is in good health, is fed, and is not in need of a diaper change. In this article, we will be discussing controlled crying and how it helps babies get themselves to sleep.

What Is Controlled Crying?

Controlled crying is a popular sleep training approach proposed by Dr. Richard Ferber back in the 1980s. This method aims at helping a child get him/herself to sleep without developing any long-term effects that could affect his/her health.

When using this, your toddler will fall asleep without you singing a lullaby or soothing him/her. This method seeks to make your child responsible for his or her sleeping habits.

Although you may get hurt hearing the baby cry, you have to practice some tough love for better sleep habits. If done correctly, you may fix your child’s sleep schedule.

However, the effectiveness depends on the age and health of the child.

Newborns tend to wake up often during the night for a diaper change and feeding. So, if you want to try this, the baby has to be at least 6 months old. Moreover, you have to ensure that the baby is in good health since a fever or other problems may cause restlessness and constant crying, thus compromising the effectiveness of the entire process. Be sure to feed the baby well and change a wet diaper to ensure maximum comfort while trying this approach.

How It’s Done

The idea is to help a baby sleep by him/herself without your comfort. For it to be effective, the controlled crying is often accompanied by controlled comforting as a way of checking on and reassuring the child. In some cases, if the toddler persists the crying, you may stroke his/her head or sing a lullaby to promote calmness. All the same, you should leave the room while the toddler is still awake for sleep training to be successful.

Step 1: Leave.

The first step into practicing this approach is to leave the baby awake in the cot. Say goodnight to him/her and then slowly exit the room.

When you leave, expect the toddler to cry a lot since he/she is not used to the abandonment.

Step 2: Wait.

If the baby continues to cry, wait for at least 2 minutes before going back inside. Once there, reassure the child that everything is okay before exiting the room after just a few minutes.

Step 3: Check.

If more than 5 minutes elapse and the baby is still crying, go back inside for the purpose of reassurance. When you say goodnight and leave the room for a second time, give the baby 7-8 minutes before going inside if he/she is still crying. Keep repeating this process and give an interval of 2 more minutes each time you leave the room before going inside.

The longer you leave the baby during this new process, the more he/she will learn to sleep without your presence.

Is controlled crying safe for my baby?

Yes, it is safe for babies because they get to learn how to put themselves to sleep in your absence. With time, they will get over the shock of being abandoned and the idea of sleeping on their own is reinforced in their minds.

However, before beginning you should ensure that the toddler is full, is not thirsty, is not ill, and the diaper is changed. You should know whether your baby has extreme separation anxiety, which happens once you leave him/her alone. If he/she does, then get ready for a rough time since the sleep training might be a little harder.

The drawback of this method is that you will have to abandon your kid and allow him or her to cry without you comforting him or her. In fact, some people feel that this could cause babies problems in the future. However, none of this has been proven.

In fact, there was a follow-up study conducted in 2012 by the Offical Journal of the American Academy Of Paediatrics on the impact of this particular sleep training method. The study showed that this is a safe sleep training technique with no long-lasting effect of the babies.

Moreover, controlled crying comes highly recommended by NHS as a way of helping address short-to-medium-term issues like maternal depression and sleep problems in infants.

How to Manage Controlled Crying

For most parents, controlled crying is likely to make them emotional because they have to listen to the child as he or she cries. You will most likely cave in after the first trial. This is why we recommend that you seek support from your partner or a reliable friend. This way, each time you feel like picking up the toddler during the training period, you can call someone who will restrain you.

Your friend or partner will also help when you are having a bad day and the baby’s crying gets to you. If you relapse, your efforts will be ineffective.

There is no point in trying this on the toddler today and skipping the schedule tomorrow. For efficacy, you need to make this new program constant so the child gets used to the changes.

You’ll achieve better results when the baby is sleepy and a little tired. Moreover, ensure that the child is not in distress prior to or during this sleep training process.

For How Long Will Controlled Crying Last?

Different babies respond differently to varying treatments. This is also the case with controlled crying. There are babies who have no problem sleeping and for them, this approach will most probably last between 4 to 5 days. In such a case, you will only have to tolerate hearing your baby cry for a short period in order to help him or her sleep better by himself or herself.

However, some babies experience sleeping problems such that you will need to tolerate the crying for about 2 weeks for it to start working.

If this period is over and your baby still cries much without going to sleep, then it may be time for you to change from controlled crying to another approach. You can consult your pediatrician who will help identify the most suitable sleep training method for your baby.

The Benefits

One of the main advantages of practicing this in babies is to instill a new skill in them. This means that the toddler will learn how to go to sleep alone without help. This is useful to both the child and parent.

Another benefit is that it is a quick and effective in babies with normal sleeping habits. Some babies learn to sleep by themselves after only 2 evenings of controlled crying while others may take a little longer.

Parents and guardians who have successfully managed to sleep train their babies using the controlled crying technique claim that the method is effective. It helps to reduce settling as well as waking problems experienced by babies. In fact, babies who have undergone this method tend to sleep much better in the short-term basis in comparison to the other babies.

The Drawbacks

Controlled crying has some disadvantages and one of them is causing distress on the parent.

You might feel guilty.

It is hard for you to sit back and listen to the toddler cry without picking him/her up. You, therefore, need to be persistent and courageous if you want to sleep train your baby successfully. This, however, might be a problem for some parents because they do not want to live with the guilt of letting the baby cry.

The baby may disturb others.

If you live with other family members, then a crying child will cause a disturbance, thus making this method unsuitable for you. Due to the feelings of abandonment that the child might develop after being left crying alone, some experts argue that controlled crying may cause some emotional problems later in life. Nevertheless, this has not been proven.

It can make your baby sick.

The other drawback is that some babies might become ill after too much crying.

So, now that you learned a little bit more about this particular sleep training method, head on over to this page to learn about the rest!