Sleeping Like a Baby
Author: Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Whoever came up with the phrase "sleeping like a baby," obviously didn't have one. Maybe you're one of the "lucky ones," but most of us have lost a few hours of sleep caring for our baby.
As your baby grows, you're probably wondering when you might expect a night of uninterrupted sleep. Of course, in the earliest days, your baby may need to feed once during the night. However, by 3-4 months, most babies have dropped their nighttime feedings.
There are a few things you can do:
- Create a nighttime routine. Babies can't tell time, so the only way they are going to realize what is coming next is through a routine. A routine is different than a schedule. A routine does not follow a clock. Instead, a routine follows the rhythms of the day. Some things take longer on some days. Go with the flow. A routine may consist of a warm bath, reading books (yes, even the littlest babies benefit from reading), singing a nighttime song or two (something as simple as Twinkle, Twinkle), and then putting your baby in the crib.
- Be consistent with your baby. Put them in the crib when they are tired, but still awake. This will help them learn the skills to put themselves to sleep. This does not mean you need to leave the room if they are fussing or crying. Try comfort measures that allow them to be in the crib. These may include placing your hand gently on their stomach while making a "shhhhhh" sound.
- When your baby does wake at night, keep things as they are. Bright lights and sounds provide signals to your baby that "things are going on," and who would want to miss that? When your baby wakes at night and needs comfort or a diaper change, work to keep the room dark and quiet. Return your baby to bed as you did when they first went to bed that evening. If needed, try - once again - the comfort measure of a hand on their stomach or a quiet "shhhh" sound.
- If you and your baby are struggling to sleep through the night, track their sleeping patterns (both day and night). Consider how much sleep your child is actually getting. Although it is lovely for a baby to take a 3-hour morning nap, you may find that your child is sleeping too much during the day. You may need to slightly change their daytime routine, making them more ready for a restful evening.
Before long, hopefully everyone will be "sleeping like a baby," including you.
