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Include these 4 elements in your sleep routine to help your baby understand what is happening next, so he can relax and let sleep come.
A sleeping sack Remember to use it for daytime naps too. Sleep sacks become holistic sleep cues. Just the action of changing into her sleep sack signals sleep to your baby. Through my observations and studies in Resources for Infant Educarers it is my earnest opinion that babies must be given freedom of movement from birth in their sleeping space.
Sleeping sacks are snug and comforting without impeding the natural progression of your infant adapting to the environment outside of the womb, and consolidate reflexes more readily this way. If you have used a swaddle or are still using one, don’t despair – babies adapt quickly.
Your baby needs to be comfortable, dry and the room temperature ideally around 18-20 degrees for optimal sleeping conditions. Merino wool works for your baby like it works for the sheep – it is temperature regulating, moisture wicking, hypoallergenic, silky soft, and exceptionally breathable.They also have adjustable buttons so you can change the size as your infant grows. They are of high quality & excellent value for money.
Offering Baby Full Range of movement, while still being snug and comfortable.
Woolino Newborn Adjustable: Age 0 to 6 Months Buy Here
Woolino Adjustable: Age 2 months to 24 Months Buy Here
Super amazing quality. I can’t find any other brand or design that truly matches up because of the baby body temperature control due to the high wool content of the materials. There is a newborn option that adjusts size up to 6 months. And an adjustable one for 2 months up to 24 months (which really increases it’s value!) and because it’s wool it’s cooler in summer and insulated in winter.
A bedtime book
The same book forever at every bedtime. My favourite sleep cue book is Goodnight Moon. Make sure you buy the board book option. It tells a lovely story, and will serve you well right through to preschool. You can add books as your baby grows – but make sure you always read your sleep cue book last and never change it. Your baby will never tire of it, and instead come to expect it to help me relax. Read it to your baby just before the last step below – the lullaby. Remember, this isn’t to entertain, it’s to help your baby understand and accept what is happening next, so he too can be part of the process. Once it’s an established sleep cue, you will literally see many babies begin rubbing their eyes when you pick up your sleep cue book.
A brief lullaby you can sing.
And that anyone can sing. A calm lullaby that talks of sleep. Always the same one. And use a sleep phrase from this lullaby for resettles. I teach a very special lullaby to all of my clients called the ‘Sleepy Time Song’. It’s easy, soothing – and you can use the main chorus ‘Sleepy time, my love – sleepy time’ as your sleep phrase for resettles. By singing the same words as your baby heard as you said goodnight – it so much easier for her to settle back to sleep.
You can listen to my ‘Sleepy Time Song’ HERE
Introduce a comforter.
Ensure it is made of 100% cotton quality breathable fabric. Be careful as most have polyester in them – make sure you check the materials.
Always buy two identical ones – you’ll need a back up! Avoid the fancy battery operated ones! Look for comforters made of natural fibres and machine washable. I have been recommending the brand Cuski since my early days as a maternity nanny in the UK over 20 years ago. This is the Comforter I have been recommending since my mothercraft nurse days.
Buy Cuskiboo Here
Check the safe sleep guidelines in your country for the minimum age a baby should be to leave a comforter in the cot. In Australia it is 7+ months. However, you can introduce as part of the bedtime routine from birth. If you do this, baby will recognise it as a holistic sleep association early on.
How to introduce a comforter to your baby
Begin establishing baby’s relationship with her comforter much sooner, and ideally from birth.
When you get one, get two identical ones – so you have a spare. Before introducing your baby to her comforter, leave them in your bed for a week so they smell like you. Place it in between you and bub as you cuddle and go through the bedtime routine. Do this at every nap and bedtime. Before long (around 30 days) the above items become your sleepy time essentials, essential sleep cues, that help your baby learn to relax, anticipating sleepy time.
Then put the comforter to the side, out of reach, and ideally within eyesight until she is 7 months old. When she reaches 7 months, offer it to her at bedtime to cuddle as she falls asleep. She will already have a positive association with her comforter by this stage. This continuous buddy that smells of you becomes a healthy, predictable, sustainable sleep cue.