Getting a baby to sleep through the night is, I’d say, the first and most important task that new parents face. Studies have shown that babies who don’t get enough sleep struggle to relax, learn and grow – that combined with the effect that lack of sleep has on parents and the rest of the family can lead to stress and frustration for all. Offering positive sleep cues whilst empowering baby with the gift of sleep, we feel, is the key. The sooner parents begin their chosen sleep routine the quicker and easier baby learns this most basic but important life skill.
During the first few weeks baby will, no doubt, drop off to sleep during feeds, whilst being held, on car journeys etc.and are indeed, asleep more than awake. More often than not babies learn to rely on feeds or rocking to get them off to sleep, and can’t get back to sleep after waking in the night without them. Providing your baby with the means to self soothe and settle is essential. We believe that parents need to teach baby the art of sleep, not only how to drop off to sleep but how to soothe themselves back to sleep when they wake in the night.
Babies are stimulated by almost everything around them, through every sense - sounds,smells,sights and touch and as they develop they are making their own little connections or cues attached to these stimuli. Using the senses to teach baby positive sleep cues is fundamental.
Start by differentiating between day and night and start that body clock. Get baby out in the daylight and fresh air during the day when ever possible. Daylight has been proven to aid night sleeping for both babies and adults. When baby is awake in the day interact by speaking/singing/light touch rubbing feet (all good preparation for reflexology). Keep night/sleep time environment darker with low lighting during night-time feeds and avoid unnecessary night-time changing etc. Baby will soon learn these environmental light cues – and you can use a blind to lower light levels for daytime sleeps.
Establish a bedtime routine for both night and day sleeps (by 3 months baby will have learnt these cues). We suggest a night-time routine maybe:- a warm bath followed by some aromareflexology for sleep during change time (build the routine up over time) using our Sleep aromagel, on sale soon. The STARS blend of essential oils used in the pure Aloe Vera have been combined to induce relaxation. Combining this soporific aroma in a low lit environment with possibly some white noise to block out any distracting or overstimulating sounds really sets the scene for sleep. After the last feed – even if baby has dropped off – wake gently while burping maybe, so that when you wrap baby in her snugglewrap pictured above (as recommended by the baby whisperer sharlene poole) or put her in her sleepsac or gown to put her down, baby learns to settle him/herself. For daytime sleeps replace the bath with a little wash and change maybe. The important thing is to be consistent with the cues to the senses – baby has a strong olfactory sense and will soon learn to recognise the aroma and equate it to sleep – a positive association you the parent can use anytime, anywhere.
By putting baby down awake you will empower your baby with the gift of sleep. Comforters and soothers can help baby sleep through the night when they are old enough. We suggest that you apply a few drops of Stars aromatherapy to the comforter and take it to bed with you for a few nights to get that lovely Mummy smell too. leave it in sight but not in with baby while they are very young and only give it to them to hold when you are sure they can handle properly. We suggest the snuggletot baby comforter, as you can safely secure this to the cot and can also attach soother/dummies to it if needed so baby can always find the soother in the night. Between 6 and 12 months your baby will form a very strong attachment to the comforter, often needing it to fall asleep. This is a key time in your baby’s life as she begins to understand that you can go away and leave her and separation anxiety can set in. Baby comforters have been shown to make this time much easier for your baby and in turn you too.
Maintaining the right environment for sleep is important. Make sure the temperature is not above 18 degrees c, use the right tog sleepsac for the time of year. Ensure baby has enough daytime sleep – over tiredness is the main cause of troubled night sleep in babies and children. And of course ensure baby isn’t going to bed hungry – if you feel this might be the case offer a late (or dream) feed at around 11pm.
I hope the suggestions in this guide help you to give the gift of sleep to your Special Little one. You know it makes sense! Many of the products mentioned in this piece will soon be available to buy through our online store www.speciallittleproducts.com
