Sleep is a very important part of a newborn’s life. It helps them grow, develop, and learn. It also helps their parents sleep better at night. This article will give you tips and products to help your newborn sleep better.
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Establish a Bedtime Routine
The first tip is to have a bedtime routine for the baby. This includes bathing and changing into pajamas before bedtime. Any newborn sleep guide will emphasize the importance of routine.
You will also want to make sure that the baby’s room is dark and cool before bedtime so they can sleep better. You’ll also want to make sure that the baby has enough milk during the day so they don’t need to drink in the middle of the night which will cause them to wake up more often during the night and not get enough restful sleep overall.
Accept Irregularity
As a parent, you want your baby to sleep as much as possible. The problem is that newborns need to be woken up often for feeding and diaper changes. This is especially true during the first few months when babies can’t go for more than two hours without waking up. So while you are likely striving for a routine sleeping pattern, it’s also helpful to remember that irregularity is normal, and should not come as a surprise.
The good news is there are products and tips that can help your baby sleep better. There are also some things you can do to make your baby’s sleep environment more conducive to sleeping, like using a white noise machine or swaddling them tightly in a blanket.
Take Care of Your Own Sleep
The first few months are critical for your newborn’s development, and they also happen to be the most challenging time for many new parents. Sleep deprivation is a common occurrence when caring for a newborn, and it can have long-lasting effects on both you and your baby. Luckily, there are ways to help make this time easier for you both.
Be sure to get as much sleep as you can when possible. Some nights this will seem impossible. As most couples do, try to sleep in shifts so that you are never without at least a few hours of rest. You can also plan your sleeping around your baby’s schedule so that you are not stuck going through the day while deprived of sleep.
Try Swaddling Your Newborn
The first few months of an infant’s life are the most difficult for them to sleep. They are used to being in the womb where they are warm and comfortable. Wrapping them tightly in a blanket will make them feel like they are back in their mother’s womb, which will help them get more restful sleep.
You can find a variety of swaddles online. You may find that some materials are irritating to your baby’s skin, so be sure to find those that don’t cause allergic reactions. Although this can take some trial and error, swaddling is one of the best ways to make sure your baby is getting the sleep it needs.
Use Music and Sound for Better Sleep
When you play soft music or lullabies, it will help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than if you were to not play any music at all. This is because it helps them relax, which is what they need when they want to go to bed. Certain types of music, such as ambient music and classical music, are much better than others due to their sonic qualities.
You can also use sounds, rather than music, to help your newborn sleep. Again, you will have to experiment with this. You can get a noise machine that imitates ocean waves, rain, or a river. Playing brown noise can also work depending on your infant.
There are many different ways to help your newborn sleep. Some are easier than others, but they all have the same goal – to help your newborn sleep better. Good luck!
