The single most effective method to help a baby sleep is a sleep schedule. Baby slings offer a great tried-and-tested trick to help arrange this schedule. Effective tips make this an easy-to-do way to help your baby sleep well.
In the first months a baby sleep schedule may not easily be arranged, often because many babies have difficulties soothing themselves to sleep. A baby sling makes a good practical solution: baby is easily soothed to sleep at a chosen 'schedule' nap or night bedtime. Once the sleep schedule is well established, putting baby to sleep alone at these times will be much easier.
A sleep schedule for good sleep
Our body - babies and adults alike - reacts optimally to well-timed regular bedtimes. A natural drowsiness helps with falling asleep at the right bedtime and the regular schedule improves the quality and length of sleep. And isn't that what we all want for our babies?
A baby is not born with a well established sleep rhythm. Her body does not even have a day-night rhythm similar to ours, let alone a regular sleep schedule. This explains most of the baby sleep troubles so many sleep deprived parents know all too well. Although some babies do appear to adapt rather quickly to 'life on earth', most do not. As parents, we can help our baby adapt by cleverly supporting her natural sleep patterns and guiding her with a well suited sleep schedule.
How to find the right baby sleep schedule?
The best schedule will be very close to your baby's natural sleep patterns: your baby will go to sleep when she's getting tired and sleepy. Unfortunately, not all babies show us clear signals of when they are becoming tired. What we all do pick up is when a baby gets cranky and starts crying: but then it is really too late. She is then overtired and more difficult to soothe to sleep.
So when trying to find good nap and night bedtimes, look for early sleepy signals:
Even with the right schedule bedtimes, most young babies don't just go to bed with a smile, kiss you good night and are off to sleep...
Also, there are other factors to finding the right schedule too. Your work and family situation, tasks, activities and older siblings all influence baby's schedule. So what do you do if your baby is sleepy exactly at her older brother's school pick-up time?
A baby will take a couple of naps during the day and then go to sleep for the night in the (late) evening. It is helpful to check the typical baby sleep schedule by age as a guide.
Then you adjust according to your baby's sleepy signals and to your family's schedule. To help baby learn to doze off to sleep at these times, a sling is a great aid.
Help instill baby's sleep schedule with a baby sling
Carrying your baby in a sling or other type of baby carrier has many benefits. And you don't have to be an all natural parent to enjoy them. Carrying your baby makes her feel secure, increases bonding and makes her cry less.
But it's also simply a very practical accessory. To help your baby sleep at your chosen sleep schedule times, put her in the sling at that time. Most babies sleep very easily when carried. You can go out for a walk or stay in the house. In any case, you have your hands free so you can go about your usual activities - computer work, chores, errands, school pick-up...
If you do this Baby Sling Trick consistently for a while, at nap times and/or at night time, you will establish a regular sleep schedule. Then, typically after a few weeks, put your baby down to sleep at these times. Most babies will now find it much easier to go to sleep.
To improve this technique further, you will also want to have a bedtime routine in place: a set of fixed activities and words you do with and say to your baby right before bedtime. If you repeat the same things each time, your baby will come to recognise them and associate them with sleep. This is again an ideal cue for the body to get ready for sleep.
Do this bedtime routine also before putting your baby in the sling, and then later when putting her to bed.
Frequently asked questions
Do all babies need a sleep schedule?
Going to sleep at regular times is the proven way for our body to be ready to sleep and therefore the best sleep inducer. That is why a schedule helps so many babies - and adults - sleep better. However, some do not need it all and will even be better off when allowed to sleep when they choose. If your child has this skill, you will know and as long as your are happy with that, there is no need to force a schedule.
Is a sling safe for my baby, and for myself?
Yes a quality, well-fitting sling is safe for your baby and ergonomic for you. Choose the type of baby carrier you need from the different types of baby slings.
Can I also use a stroller to help my baby sleep?
Yes most babies fall asleep very easily when in a stroller or car seat and that can help introduce the sleep schedule as well. It all depends on your preference. However, there are two main disadvantages:
In the first months a baby sleep schedule may not easily be arranged, often because many babies have difficulties soothing themselves to sleep. A baby sling makes a good practical solution: baby is easily soothed to sleep at a chosen 'schedule' nap or night bedtime. Once the sleep schedule is well established, putting baby to sleep alone at these times will be much easier.
A sleep schedule for good sleep
Our body - babies and adults alike - reacts optimally to well-timed regular bedtimes. A natural drowsiness helps with falling asleep at the right bedtime and the regular schedule improves the quality and length of sleep. And isn't that what we all want for our babies?
A baby is not born with a well established sleep rhythm. Her body does not even have a day-night rhythm similar to ours, let alone a regular sleep schedule. This explains most of the baby sleep troubles so many sleep deprived parents know all too well. Although some babies do appear to adapt rather quickly to 'life on earth', most do not. As parents, we can help our baby adapt by cleverly supporting her natural sleep patterns and guiding her with a well suited sleep schedule.
How to find the right baby sleep schedule?
The best schedule will be very close to your baby's natural sleep patterns: your baby will go to sleep when she's getting tired and sleepy. Unfortunately, not all babies show us clear signals of when they are becoming tired. What we all do pick up is when a baby gets cranky and starts crying: but then it is really too late. She is then overtired and more difficult to soothe to sleep.
So when trying to find good nap and night bedtimes, look for early sleepy signals:
- Losing interest in playing or socialising
- Staring
- Not finding a comfortable place to sit or lie down
- Rubbing eyes
- Yawning
Even with the right schedule bedtimes, most young babies don't just go to bed with a smile, kiss you good night and are off to sleep...
Also, there are other factors to finding the right schedule too. Your work and family situation, tasks, activities and older siblings all influence baby's schedule. So what do you do if your baby is sleepy exactly at her older brother's school pick-up time?
A baby will take a couple of naps during the day and then go to sleep for the night in the (late) evening. It is helpful to check the typical baby sleep schedule by age as a guide.
Then you adjust according to your baby's sleepy signals and to your family's schedule. To help baby learn to doze off to sleep at these times, a sling is a great aid.
Help instill baby's sleep schedule with a baby sling
Carrying your baby in a sling or other type of baby carrier has many benefits. And you don't have to be an all natural parent to enjoy them. Carrying your baby makes her feel secure, increases bonding and makes her cry less.
But it's also simply a very practical accessory. To help your baby sleep at your chosen sleep schedule times, put her in the sling at that time. Most babies sleep very easily when carried. You can go out for a walk or stay in the house. In any case, you have your hands free so you can go about your usual activities - computer work, chores, errands, school pick-up...
If you do this Baby Sling Trick consistently for a while, at nap times and/or at night time, you will establish a regular sleep schedule. Then, typically after a few weeks, put your baby down to sleep at these times. Most babies will now find it much easier to go to sleep.
To improve this technique further, you will also want to have a bedtime routine in place: a set of fixed activities and words you do with and say to your baby right before bedtime. If you repeat the same things each time, your baby will come to recognise them and associate them with sleep. This is again an ideal cue for the body to get ready for sleep.
Do this bedtime routine also before putting your baby in the sling, and then later when putting her to bed.
Frequently asked questions
Do all babies need a sleep schedule?
Going to sleep at regular times is the proven way for our body to be ready to sleep and therefore the best sleep inducer. That is why a schedule helps so many babies - and adults - sleep better. However, some do not need it all and will even be better off when allowed to sleep when they choose. If your child has this skill, you will know and as long as your are happy with that, there is no need to force a schedule.
Is a sling safe for my baby, and for myself?
Yes a quality, well-fitting sling is safe for your baby and ergonomic for you. Choose the type of baby carrier you need from the different types of baby slings.
Can I also use a stroller to help my baby sleep?
Yes most babies fall asleep very easily when in a stroller or car seat and that can help introduce the sleep schedule as well. It all depends on your preference. However, there are two main disadvantages:
- Although it does not harm once in a while, sitting in a stroller or car seat for longer periods is not advised. The sitting/half-lying position may hamper baby's motor skills development. A well adapted sling however, guarantees a good body position and promotes optimal motor development.
- With a stroller you will probably need to go out for a walk each time, whereas with a sling it is easier to stay in and go about most activities since you keep your hands free.
Having researched sleep independently for 10 years +, Heidi Holvoet, PhD is a seasoned mother of two and certified breastfeeding counsellor who gives effective sleep advice to parents on Baby-Sleep-Advice.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heidi_Holvoet,_Ph.D.
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