As a parent you know how happy and sweet a baby can be after a good rest – and how cranky and fussy when tired. Hence, infant sleep problems can be frustrating for new parents. This is because babies have different sleep patterns than adults, and these differences limit what we can do. But that doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do. Start with analyzing what mistakes you are making and try out the many safe, gentle sleep training tactics for improving your sleep.
There are at least 6 common sleep mistakes most parents make and how to correct them.
Baby sleep mistake #1: Not following Bedtime routine
What’s wrong:
With babies, everything needs to be done systematically as their minds understand the language of routine. Not following a bedtime routine can disturb her sleep cycle and make her cranky.
What needs to be done:
A bedtime routine is an easy strategy that makes a world of difference in how quickly your baby will settle to sleep and how much support he’ll need to fall asleep. Close the curtains, dim the room, and prepare his bottle and story. Once he is finished, settle him into a sleepy state and then put him to bed awake, but drowsy.
Baby sleep mistake #2: Don’t keep Baby Awake Too Long
What’s wrong:
Most newborn babies can only stay awake for about an hour. Even if your baby seems content to stay awake for longer periods of time it is in your and your baby’s best interest to help her sleep more frequently.
What needs to be done:
Overtired babies cry more and sleep poorly at night so managing sleep throughout the day is a great way to make the first few months a happier time for everybody.
Baby sleep mistake #3: Don’t Ignore baby’s sleep cues
What’s wrong:
Babies send out signals that they’re getting tired and need to go to sleep. If you miss your child’s ‘sleep window,’ that natural time to sleep, his body won’t be pumping out calming melatonin.
What needs to be done:
Keep an eye on your little one throughout the day, and chances are you’ll see a pattern develop around when he needs to nap and to go to bed each night. If you can’t see those signals, take the baby to a quiet, dimly lit room and engage in a gentle activity when you think sleep time is approaching–you just might see the signs start to appear.
Baby sleep mistake #4: Not following the sleep zones
What’s wrong:
The Place of sleep is as important as the time of sleep. Naps in the stroller, in the car seat, or in the high chair do not provide your baby with the sleep he needs. Motion sleep keeps the brain in light sleep, so the child isn’t falling into a deep, restful slumber
What needs to be done:
Don’t just put your baby to sleep wherever you are, let him sleep in the place that’s meant for it. To develop good sleep habits, your baby should have a familiar sleep zone, a space where he goes to sleep for naps and bedtime at the same time each day.
Baby sleep mistake #5: Partners are not on the same page
What’s wrong:
If a partner has a different approach to sleep than you do, it can lead to making a child feeling insecure about his sleep situation. This will irritate the child and can trouble the parents more about their sleeping pattern.
What needs to be done:
Sit down together and figure out what works for both of you. If one of you is getting up more than the other, then what makes that parent most comfortable should take precedence.
Baby sleep mistake #6: Opting for different sleep strategies
What’s wrong:
This can confuse a child and create more crying than necessary at bedtime and in general because she’ll be irritable about the lack of quality sleep.
What needs to be done:
Prepare a plan that covers:
1) Where the baby should sleep during the day and at night;
2) The sleep and feeding schedule — over or underfeeding can lead to trouble sleeping for long stretches. It will help to keep the baby’s sleep cycle in routine.
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Happy sleeping!