Adding a new baby to your family is a huge change for
everyone. You will be experiencing new joy and new stress on many levels. The
last thing you need to add to your list of new stressors is sleep deprivation.
A newborn that is having trouble sleeping can have a dramatic effect on
everyone in the house. Helping your baby sleep better is all about routine. A
consistent, effective nighttime routine is good for everyone in your family.
- When your
baby wakes during the night, avoid turning on bright lights. Infants, like
adults, associate light with activity and darkness with rest. Turn out the
light at bedtime, and use a night light for changing or attend to the baby
during the night. During the day, keep the baby in well-lit areas, natural
sunlight if possible, so that they begin to make the light/darkness
associations needed for a good night’s sleep.
-
Have a
calming bedtime routine. Bedtime is not the time for loud music or TV. Television
is very stimulating to an infant, so turning it off at bedtime will help
establish an atmosphere of peace and quiet. Soothing music, dimmed lighting and
a quiet feeding are great ways to help your infant wind down for bed.
Rest Assured Infant Nursing is a great alternative for
parents struggling with their infant’s sleep issues. If your infant doesn’t
seem able to establish their sleep pattern, and the sleep deprivation is
affecting your personal and professional life, our Registered Nurse caregivers
can help. Rest Assured Infant Nursing will pair your family with a trained, certified
and insured professional so that you can rest easy.
Learn more infant sleep tips at http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Good-Night-Sleep-Tight.aspx.