Importance of Healthy Sleep for Baby

06/22/2016

Our friends at Pampers want to make sure your baby is getting enough sleep – check out these 4 keys:

Why is this important?

So many parents struggle with the issues of sleep.  In my own home, I have been blessed with 3 amazing sleepers – up until my son turned three and started having difficulty sleeping through the night due to enlarged tonsils.  He would wake up like a newborn – multiple times per night and every few hours.  It was awful!  I really believe the having good sleep habits up until this challenging sleep time in our house hold really made all the difference.  We ensured a steady routine, calm evenings, bath time every evening and putting our kids to bed awake (and on their own!) to ensure they were learning the skills to be able to fall asleep on their own.  As you have read above, sleep is so incredibly important for our growing little ones.

One of our moms had the opportunity to interview Sleep Expert and Founder of Good Night Sleep Site Alanna McGinn.  She was also Pampers’ Special Guest at a media event celebrating Pampers Ambassador (and Olympic athlete) Mark Oldershaw last week.  Check out her answers to our biggest sleep questions!

1)  Sleep training a 1 yo vs. a 2 yo – how would you approach it? Fundamentals are the same for both.  There are four keys:

1. Create a sleep santuary; dark, quiet & cool environment.  Use blackout blinds and a white noise machine.  Ensure that the baby naps and goes to bed at night in the same place, so they begin to feel secure in their crib.
2. Make naps a priority – staying on a solid schedule will ensure baby is well-rest and ready for bed at night.
3. Introduce a calm routine at bedtime – trying including a nightly warm bath, a story and a cuddle to sooth baby before bed.
4. Choose a sleep method that works for your family – it’s important that you choose something that both parents are comfortable with.

2)  Why do naps take longer to train than bedtime?

There are different drives for sleep – and it’s stronger at night.  Kids tend to have an easier time at night.  During the day – it’s harder to get them into the next cycle.  They CAN nap/sleep, but it’s harder to get back into that sleep rhythm.  In addition, children are constantly busy and have a hard time adjusting during the day – consistency is key.

3)  Transitioning from 2 naps to 1 – what’s the best method to approach it?

Make sure you don’t try to transition too early.  Age appropriate is around 15-20 months.  Starting too early can backfire. Make sure they’re ready.

• Remove morning then have 1 nap at 12/12:30
• Moving the morning nap by 15 minutes or so which can transition over a couple of weeks.

Removing the morning nap doesn’t mean less sleep overall.  When you move a nap by say 15 minutes, tack it on to bedtime.  If bed was at 8 pm, it will now be at 7:45, and so forth.

 4) Transitioning from a Crib to a Bed – how can you stop them from coming out of bed?

If you can keep your child in their crib until 3, great – unless they are climbing out.  Set boundaries – make sure you have a good sleep routine during the transition, do them one after the other.  Make it fun!  Pick out new bedding, a special new stuffy or some new bedroom decor.  Make sure to establish sleep rules right from the start.  Incorporating things like a toddler alarm clock, bedtime routine chart, and setting limits can help in your journey and should be established from day 1.  You have to expect that he will get out of bed, as this newfound freedom will be too exciting for him to pass up.  Be prepared with your plan and firm in explaining it, as how you handle it right from the start will make a difference. If he comes out of his room, lead him back again every time, with little to no engagement. You may have to do this over and over again throughout the night but provided you remain consistent in setting those boundaries, after a few nights he will get the message.

5) How would you approach sleep when a child/baby is sick – teething, etc.

Teething can cause discomfort, but doesn’t mean you need to throw your sleep rules out the window. If your child is extremely sick, do what is necessary.  Make your baby as comfortable as possible and if they are sick, try and nice hot steamy shower with them to relax them and then go back to your bedtime routine, if possible.

6)  Scenario:  My son was a terrible sleep trainee – and partially my fault.  How can I get him on to a better sleep regime so that he sleeps through the night, or – will go back to sleep himself without me having to go in and rock him. 

Again, this falls back on consistency and setting the ‘ground rules’.  Since he is able to talk, it does make it more difficult since they are vocal – but this is where you explain what the rules are, and keep to them.  Read more about Toddler Sleep tips on the Pampers website.

Sleep Tip!

• Before putting baby down for their nap make sure they are clean with full tummies. To avoid naptime leaks and blowouts use Pampers diapers. Their extra sleep layer pulls away wetness to help keep them clean and dry, and encourages those nice long naps we all want for our little one
•  Make sure to put on a clean diaper right before bed. Using the right diaper is going to give you more confidence to help your baby sleep through the night. Pampers diapers are designed to pull away liquid to help keep baby dry
• Massage and touch is a great addition to your baby’s bedtime routine. It can relax them and promote longer sleep at night. To continue the relaxing soft feel on your baby’s skin you need pay attention to what you dress them in. One of the reasons why I was a Pampers parent was that I loved how soft they felt against my baby’s skin. Pampers stretchy sides and soft material help keep your baby relaxed and comfortable even once placed in their crib.
• Read more about baby sleep tips on the Pampers website

If you’d like more information – please visit Alanna’s website http://goodnightsleepsite.com/.