Safety Sleeping Habits For Baby.

Sleep Habits and Safety

Your infant's sleep habits will certainly affect your lifestyle, so you will probably want to do what you can to favourably influence their sleeping patterns.

How can I encourage my baby to be a good sleeper?

• Let your baby learn to fall asleep on his own. Young babies commonly fall asleep while they are nursing. However, whenever possible, it’s helpful to lay babies down to sleep while they are drowsy, but still awake
• Don’t try to keep babies awake for too long during the day. Some parents think that this will encourage better sleeping at night, but it doesn’t. An overtired baby does not sleep well
• It is okay to limit the length of day time naps a little to help maintain the contrast between day time and night time when you’d like to encourage longer periods of sleep
• If your baby tends to wake too early, consider putting heavy shades in their room to block the morning sun
• Realise that it's common for babies to have periods of very good sleep followed by periods of poor sleep. This can be due to growth spurts that increase food needs or, in an older baby, teething problems

How can I help my baby get back to sleep in the middle of the night?

• Babies will naturally “awaken” several times a night, as we all do. Helping them learn to fall asleep by themselves is the best way to ultimately ensure a good night’s sleep for both of you. The best way to teach this skill is to put your baby down for a nap or bed time when they are drowsy, but still awake, as often as you can
• If baby is just squirming or fussing, don't make the mistake of thinking they are wide awake. These activities may just signal a period of light sleep. Try not to rush in—it may only wake them when they’re on the verge of falling back to sleep by themselves
• If baby does awaken and starts to cry, let them fuss a bit. Letting off a little energy may be enough, and they’ll get themselves back to sleep without your help. As much as 15 to 20 minutes of fussing won't hurt them. Just be certain that the crying isn't due to hunger, pain, or wetness
• If you do have to get up to feed or change your baby, avoid overstimulating them. Keep the lights low, and put them right down to sleep when you are finished. Avoid playing
• Gentle, continuous stimulation will often coax a baby back to sleep. Try patting, rocking, or walking baby

When can babies sleep through the night?

• Newborns and young babies can eat only enough to satisfy hunger for 3 or 4 hours at a time. This means that round-the-clock feedings are going to be the rule for at least a few weeks Most 2- or 3-month-old babies, particularly breastfed ones, still need to eat during the night
• As baby gets older and can take in more food at a feeding, they may be able to sleep through the night. Most babies are able to sleep 6-8 hours without waking once they reach 5.4-5.9 kg

How can I encourage my baby to sleep through the night?

If your baby is old enough to be physically capable of sleeping through the night, try the following:

• Keep him awake longer in the afternoon and early evening. Play with them or keep them close to the rest of the family’s activities during this time
• Be sure that they get enough to eat during the day, perhaps by increasing the amount that they receive during day time feedings
• Wake your baby up for a feeding just before you go to bed. This may fill them up enough to last through your slumbers
• If they wake at night, try to stretch the time between feedings by 15-30 minutes each night. It may also help if you cut down on the amount you feed them at the feedings you want to eliminate
• Don’t change your baby’s nappy during the night unless it’s absolutely necessary

How can I keep baby safe while they’re sleeping?

• Place your baby on their back when you put them down to sleep, rather than on their stomach. It is thought that the back is the safest sleeping position, particularly as it relates to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Although you should place your baby on their back to sleep throughout the first year of life, this position is most important during the first six months, when the incidence of SIDS is the highest. By the time baby can roll over to find a comfortable sleeping position on their own, SIDS is not as great a concern
• Certain medical conditions may cause your health care professional to recommend a different sleeping position based on your baby’s needs. However, you should only place your baby in a sleeping position other than on their back if you have discussed this first with your health care professional
• A firm cot mattress covered by a sheet is the safest bedding. Avoid placing your baby on or near soft surfaces such as pillows, quilts, comforters, animal skins, bean bags, or stuffed animals when going to sleep. Soft surfaces could block your baby’s airway if they burrow their face into them. Keep all soft toys and stuffed animals out of the cot too
• Keep the temperature in your baby’s room comfortable. Do not place your baby near heating or air-conditioning vents, or near other sources of drafts such as an open window. Sleep clothing (such as a one-piece sleeper suit) is preferable to a blanket if you are concerned about keeping baby warm
• Keep the cot away from open windows

Article source : baby sleep habits and safety