Top 5 Sleep Tips

06/11/2014

Guest Blog Written By Jamie Contarini, Good Night Sleep Site Halton Consultant

You have probably heard not to sleep train until your little one is at least 4 months old (calculated from their estimated due date).  This is because their internal clock has not matured yet.  Once they reach 4 months old, you can incorporate the following tips to promote healthy sleep.

#1: Create a Nap & Bedtime Routine

Be sure to include a soothing routine before naps and bedtime.  For the bedtime, a routine of approximately 30 minutes is a great length to wind them down and get them ready for sleep.  The naptime routine should be a shorter version of your bedtime routine.  It doesn’t have to be a long routine, something as simple as singing a song or two, or putting on their sleep sack etc.  We want to give your baby cues that sleep is coming next.

#2: Provide and Age Appropriate Bedtime

Babies need more sleep than most of us realize, so that means bedtime between 5:30 and 7:00pm.  Don’t be afraid to put them down early.  Early bedtimes can lead to less night waking’s and a later wake time.

#3: Consistent Daily Naps

Babies often have two longer naps and one catnap from 4 months on, and often drop the catnap between 6 and 9 months.  We usually see the two to one nap transition happen between 15 & 18 months.  There might be days where your little one will practice a new skill in the crib instead of sleeping, but it doesn’t mean that they are ready to give that nap up.  Continue to offer it for a week or two before making any changes.

#4: Manage Sleep Associations

You want your baby to fall asleep and wake in the same setting so that they can put themselves back to sleep on their own.  For example, if they are falling asleep while nursing or drinking a bottle, then they will call for you to help them fall back asleep.  If you nurse them or feed them at the start of their routine and put them in their crib awake, then they will fall asleep on their own and have a better chance of falling asleep again if they wake.  Other associations to be mindful of are projectors, pacifiers and music – all of these can make it more difficult if your baby falls asleep with them.

 #5: Consistency

We say this to our client A LOT!  “Be consistent”…. Be consistent in wake time, naptime and bedtime.  Be consistent with how you allow your baby to fall asleep and be consistent in how you treat night waking’s.

You know your baby best, so when you are ready to teach them to sleep through the night, find a method that you are comfortable with and refer back to these tips.  Good luck and sweet dreams.

Good Night Sleep Site is a Family and Pediatric Sleep Practice with Global certified Sleep Consultants, ready to provide you with emotional and educational support to help your baby or child with their sleep needs. Their goal is to work with you and set up a sleep plan that you are comfortable with to help your baby or child become a GREAT sleeper. They find what works for you and your family. Good Night Sleep Site currently has consultants in Toronto, Ottawa, Halton, North Carolina, California and Oklahoma, however can still assist you even if they are not physically located in your area. For more information on their services and packages or to book a 15 minute consultation, click here