NEW BABY SMARTS

"Developing Baby's Good Sleep Habits"

The first rule is that Baby Always Sleeps On His or Her Back!  That helps to avoid "crib death".  Many mothers fear that baby will choke if he or she sleeps on his or her back?

No. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids. There has been no increase in choking or other problems for babies who sleep on their backs.

Next it is important to help baby develop good sleeping habits.  Baby's good sleeping habits will lead to better sleep for parents.  Here's how you can do that:

#1 -  Establish a loving, comfortable pre bed-time routine. This may involve gently rocking your baby as you sing to him or reading him a book.

#2 -  Place baby in the bed while he is still awake. If you do this you will avoid future problems.

#3 -  After baby placed in bed leave the room. If baby cries, wait a 10 or 15 minutes before going back into room.

#4 -  When you enter the room to check on baby, speak to baby in soft, gentle tones, but no not pick up or feed baby.

#5 -  Gradually increase the time between checks. The checks are designed simply to reassure baby he is not abandoned.  Baby will soon learn he or she can not escape nap time by crying.

#6 -  When about one year old allow baby to sleep with stuffed toy or a special blanket. This will provide comfort him when you are not there.

#7 -  Acclimate baby to both day and night time environments. Open the blinds during the day and let the child hear normal daytime noise levels. At night provide a quieter atmosphere with less light.

#8 -  Naps in car seats and baby strollers does not provide a quality rest and may serve to keep baby awake at night.

#9 -  Keep daytime naps to between two and three hours. However, don't deprive him of needed daytime sleep in order to have him sleep through the night.

#10 -  Wrap tuck blanket aroung baby to preven t excess movement while in his crib.

It's up to mommy to do a little experimenting to see what works best for your baby. With patience and perseverance there will come a time when parents will once again be able to enjoy a good night's rest.

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Sleep Habits