Every expecting mother has heard it foretold: “Get sleep now, because you never will again!” Worrying about your baby’s sleep and getting them into a routine can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
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It’s ironic how newborns require so much sleep, yet seemingly keep their caregivers up all night.
Around the age of two months, your baby’s sleep may be a little more predictable. You can begin practicing the tips below when you feel ready, but please note that sleep training is not recommended before a baby is four to six months old.
- Help your baby get their days and nights straight. Keep the curtains open and allow your home to have normal levels of noise during naptime. Play games and keep your baby’s wake windows a little longer during the day.
At night, close the curtains and keep the lights low. Talk in hushed tones and don’t overstimulate your baby with games or toys. After baby is changed, clean, and comfortable, lay them down for sleep. - Learn to recognize when your baby is tired. Trust me, you don’t want an overly tired baby. Your baby is likely feeling sleepy if they’re:
- Rubbing their eyes
- Yawning
- Fussing and looking away from you
Try to get in the habit of laying your little one down when they are drowsy but still awake. This helps them learn to drift off to sleep independently.
- Work on laying your baby down for sleep. It’s recommended to sleep in the same room as your baby for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of SIDS. That said, you can still practice laying your baby down for naps. Feed your baby, swaddle them safely, and slowly work on creating a little space between you and your little one during naptime.
- Establish a bedtime routine. You and I both have an established routine before bed. Whether that’s a shower, cup of tea, and thirty minutes of reading or a quick face rinse and some mindless scrolling, we have a pre-sleep pattern that preps us for sleep. Your baby needs to have a relaxing, consistent routine, too. (Maybe no scrolling social media for baby…)
- A warm bath
- Fresh pajamas and a new diaper
- Dim the lights and read or tell a bedtime story
- Quietly sing a slow, relaxing lullaby
- Goodnight kisses and cuddles
- Turn on a sound machine
- Relax! You are doing an amazing job caring for your baby. If they fall asleep on you or miss a “wake window”, it’s okay! You and your baby are both learning how to navigate this new territory and giving yourself some grace goes a long way.
I’ll say it one more time since I know you’re probably a little distracted and a lot tired: Pay attention to your baby’s wake windows and sleepy cues. Take it from an experienced momma- an overly tired baby is just as disastrous as anything!
Sources:
- National Health Service (NHS). “Helping Your Baby to Sleep.” [Online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/helping-your-baby-to-sleep/
- What to Expect. “Getting Baby on a Sleep Schedule.” [Online] Available at: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/baby-sleep-schedule.aspx
The Pregnancy & Parenting Center is the place for families to receive the support and resources necessary to make life-affirming decisions and build stronger families. For more information, please visit https://thepregnancyandparentingcenter.com/services/.
Audrey Mattevi, Reporting
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