Getting Baby To Sleep

Archive for the ‘newborn baby sleep’ Category

There are few things in this world that are as exciting as bringing your new baby home.  And in those first weeks home there are few things as important as your new baby and sleep.  Here are a the things that every parent needs to know about getting your new baby to sleep.

Your newborn baby will sleep between 16 and 20 hours a day.  He will usually sleep one and a half to three hours at a time and wake up when he is hungry.  Your newborn baby will not be sleeping through the night at first since he will need to eat every few hours.  For that reason, it is highly recommended that you sleep when your baby sleeps.

Sleep Safety

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained and unexpected death of a baby that occurs while that baby is sleeping.  The risk of SIDS is much higher in a baby’s first four months of life so it is vital that you take the proper precautions.  Here are some of the ways to protect your baby from SIDS:

• Put baby to sleep on her back.  Make sure that everyone who cares for baby knows to do this.
• Use a firm mattress and avoid fluffy blankets, comforters and sheepskin.  Do not keep pillows and stuffed toys in the baby’s sleep space.
• Do not overdress or over-bundling your baby.  Dressing baby in one layer more than what you are comfortable in should be adequate.
• Keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
• Never allow smoking around the baby.
• Make sure that the air in the room is not stagnant.  A fan or air conditioning unit should allow for proper circulation.
• Help your baby by incorporating tummy time.  In order to strengthen baby’s upper body, place baby on his belly with toys that interest him.
• Use a pacifier.  Studies have shown that using a pacifier during the first 3 months of baby’s life decreases the risk of SIDS.

Soothing Your Baby

When your newborn cries, she is most-likely hungry or wet.  If both of those basic needs are met and baby is still crying than you will want to try some comfort measures.  Here are some of the ways to calm your crying baby:

•         Swaddle your baby firmly in a swaddle blanket.
•        Hold your baby on her side or on her stomach in the football hold.
•         Make “Shhhh” sounds in your baby’s ear.
•         Offer your baby a pacifier or your clean finger to suck on.
•         Swing or rock your baby gently.
•         Offer her another feeding

If you’ve exhausted this list and baby is still crying, discern whether or not it is a pain cry.  The pain cry is very high pitched and shrill.  If your baby is in pain, she may have gas or stomach pain.  Try burping her while holding her in the football hold.  If it is not gas, try massaging baby’s stomach in clockwise circles to help him poop.

If baby is not in pain, he may just need to cry for a few minutes before falling asleep.  Make sure baby is safe, fed and dry and settle him in his sleep space.  Give him a couple minutes to calm down and fall asleep.  If baby is still crying after a minute or two, try running through the list again.

Hearing your baby cry is one of the most difficult and challenging parts of parenting and yet it is baby’s primary way to communicate.  As you get to know your baby, you will be able to recognize your baby’s cues and respond to them correctly.  For now, take a deep breath and remember that, for better or worst, this moment will never happen again.  And very soon, your new baby and sleep will be practically synonomous. 

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