After the baby has enjoyed a nice, long feed, we place a wrap around her just before settling her into the crib. In warm weather, we use a light, fine knit, cotton wrap. In cool weather, we use a warmer, thicker cotton one.
Again, it is essential to be mindful of the temperature as it is dangerous to overheat a baby. The idea is to keep the baby warm, not hot.
I have always thought that the feeling of being encased in a snug-fitting wrap helps to make baby feel cosy and secure. We always wrap it under the baby's arms, covering the baby's torso and legs, with the over-lap under the baby's back. I know many people place the wrap over the baby's arms, to prevent the baby waking herself from a startle reflex. I am sure this works well, however I have never felt comfortable restricting our babies movement to such an extent.
We usually have the wrap already laid out in the crib, so we simply have to lay the baby on it and wrap it around, without too much movement. We then pull the up sheets (and blankets if it is cold) to just below her chin and tuck them in securely on either side of the mattress.
After a peaceful, warm bath, a relaxing massage, a long feed and tucked into layers of snug, secure warmth, who wouldn't feel sleepy?!
We then quietly turn out the light and all go to sleep.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9. Give baby a long feed just before bed
After we have dressed the baby in a few warm layers of clothing, we make sure that we don't take the baby into any other room. We keep any conversation and other noise to a minimum, keep the lights as dim as possible and I take the baby into my bed for a long breast feed. After a long bath and relaxing massage, the baby inevitably falls to sleep while filling her belly with milk, setting herself up for a nice long slumber.
I know that some people discourage feeding a baby to sleep as they say the baby comes to depend on it, and becomes unable to fall asleep any other way. I would say that the main objective at this early stage is to set the baby up for a nice, long night-time sleep. The baby and the parents will be much happier for it. So, there's really no point in worrying about the long term consequences of such a simple routine. In any case, with each of my babies, I have continued to feed them just before their night sleep (and before their day time sleeps) up until they have reached toddlerhood. At that stage, they have all been fully able to fall asleep without any external aides or enncouragement, so we have not had any problems with this.
I know that some people discourage feeding a baby to sleep as they say the baby comes to depend on it, and becomes unable to fall asleep any other way. I would say that the main objective at this early stage is to set the baby up for a nice, long night-time sleep. The baby and the parents will be much happier for it. So, there's really no point in worrying about the long term consequences of such a simple routine. In any case, with each of my babies, I have continued to feed them just before their night sleep (and before their day time sleeps) up until they have reached toddlerhood. At that stage, they have all been fully able to fall asleep without any external aides or enncouragement, so we have not had any problems with this.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
8. Dress baby warm for bed
After the massage, we always make sure we dress the baby in snug, cosy layers of clothes to make sure she is warm throughout the night.
When I had my first baby, I was amazed by how many layers of clothing the midwife dressed her in before we left the hospital, even though it was summertime. When I thought about it, however, it made perfect sense. The baby had been kept very warm for 9 months, in the womb, and was suddenly confronted with the harsh realty of external temperature.
Obviously babies can't regulate their own temperature, so it's best to make sure that they aren't at risk of feeling cold. Bearing in mind they have little or no hair on their head to help keep them warm, and a limited amount of fat insulation, it will take a few layers of cozy clothing to help replicate the warmth that they have been used to.
Obviously it is very risky to let babies overheat, so you have to be mindful of the temperature of the heating in your home, if you have any, and keep this in mind when dressing baby. Be careful, though, not to underestimate how cold babies can get without adequate clothing, especially in the early hours of the morning, when the temperature can drop quite considerably.
When I had my first baby, I was amazed by how many layers of clothing the midwife dressed her in before we left the hospital, even though it was summertime. When I thought about it, however, it made perfect sense. The baby had been kept very warm for 9 months, in the womb, and was suddenly confronted with the harsh realty of external temperature.
Obviously babies can't regulate their own temperature, so it's best to make sure that they aren't at risk of feeling cold. Bearing in mind they have little or no hair on their head to help keep them warm, and a limited amount of fat insulation, it will take a few layers of cozy clothing to help replicate the warmth that they have been used to.
Obviously it is very risky to let babies overheat, so you have to be mindful of the temperature of the heating in your home, if you have any, and keep this in mind when dressing baby. Be careful, though, not to underestimate how cold babies can get without adequate clothing, especially in the early hours of the morning, when the temperature can drop quite considerably.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
7. Massage baby after bath
After baby has been washed and dried, we continue to keep the lights dim and keep our voices low, and one of us will give the baby a soft, gentle massage. We use a natural oil (coconut oil) as we believe it is the best for moisturising and nourishing baby's skin. However, you might also want to consider using a lavender oil (Johnsons and Johnsons make one), just to increase the sleepy lavender aroma.
We leave the head and face, but gently massage every limb, the torso and the back, using slow, gentle strokes. with fingers closed and using the whole palm of the hand. We pay extra attention to the feet, as our babies have always seemed to find a good foot massage deeply relaxing. In fact, with out last baby in particular, on any occasion where she didn't quite get to sleep after a breastfeed, I would always lie her down on my bed in front of me and give her feet a rub with oil. This would invariably see her sleeping within a matter of minutes! She is 9 months old now, and I still do this sometimes when I need a surefire way to make her sleep.
We leave the head and face, but gently massage every limb, the torso and the back, using slow, gentle strokes. with fingers closed and using the whole palm of the hand. We pay extra attention to the feet, as our babies have always seemed to find a good foot massage deeply relaxing. In fact, with out last baby in particular, on any occasion where she didn't quite get to sleep after a breastfeed, I would always lie her down on my bed in front of me and give her feet a rub with oil. This would invariably see her sleeping within a matter of minutes! She is 9 months old now, and I still do this sometimes when I need a surefire way to make her sleep.
Friday, August 28, 2009
6. Bath baby just before bed time
With our first baby, we used to bath her at various times during the day. We began to realise, however, that after the bath she would always sleep for a little longer than usual. So we decided from then on that bath time should be reserved until just before bed time. I personally believe that this is a key factor in encouraging your baby to sleep through the night.
We never bath the baby at any other time, so the baby begins to learn that bath time signals the end of the day and the beginning of a routine that will culminate in a long, satisfying sleep.
It is always important to make sure that the bath water isn't too hot for baby's delicate skin, but ideally it should still be a little warm, so it is soothing and relaxing.
We bath our babies in our ensuite bathroom sink. It is big enough to allow for a good wash, but confined enough to replicate the restricted environment of the womb, which I believe helps to calm the baby.
We spend time making sure the baby makes the most of it, and they invariably find it deeply relaxing. Our last two babies have fallen asleep in the bath on more than one occasion! We never try to excite the baby, just talk to her softly and wash her gently.
Another factor which I think is vitally important is the use of a lavender bath soap. We use Johnsons and Johnsons, and we really do feel that the calming lavender scent helps to promote a good sleep. We use it for baby's head and body.
We use a special, extra soft towel to dry the baby (a harder towel would be like sandpaper againgst their delicate skin) and make sure to thoroughly dry inside all the little arm, neck and leg creases. We make sure that the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed. We keep the change table in our room so we don't have to move around much to attend to baby's needs, and we keep the lights on reasonably low so the baby knows it is winding down time.
I should add a word of caution here: Please never leave a baby or toddler unattended in a bath, even if you think they are safely seated in some kind of bath device. Accidents can and do happen in an instant. Also, please never leave your baby unattended on a change table. You never know when she will wriggle or roll for the first time, and it might just be when your back is turned.
We never bath the baby at any other time, so the baby begins to learn that bath time signals the end of the day and the beginning of a routine that will culminate in a long, satisfying sleep.
It is always important to make sure that the bath water isn't too hot for baby's delicate skin, but ideally it should still be a little warm, so it is soothing and relaxing.
We bath our babies in our ensuite bathroom sink. It is big enough to allow for a good wash, but confined enough to replicate the restricted environment of the womb, which I believe helps to calm the baby.
We spend time making sure the baby makes the most of it, and they invariably find it deeply relaxing. Our last two babies have fallen asleep in the bath on more than one occasion! We never try to excite the baby, just talk to her softly and wash her gently.
Another factor which I think is vitally important is the use of a lavender bath soap. We use Johnsons and Johnsons, and we really do feel that the calming lavender scent helps to promote a good sleep. We use it for baby's head and body.
We use a special, extra soft towel to dry the baby (a harder towel would be like sandpaper againgst their delicate skin) and make sure to thoroughly dry inside all the little arm, neck and leg creases. We make sure that the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed. We keep the change table in our room so we don't have to move around much to attend to baby's needs, and we keep the lights on reasonably low so the baby knows it is winding down time.
I should add a word of caution here: Please never leave a baby or toddler unattended in a bath, even if you think they are safely seated in some kind of bath device. Accidents can and do happen in an instant. Also, please never leave your baby unattended on a change table. You never know when she will wriggle or roll for the first time, and it might just be when your back is turned.
5. Put baby to bed the same time as you
We have always put our babies to bed at the same time as we go to bed, usually 10 or 11 p.m. We get ourselves ready for bed and then go through the baby's night time routine, so by the time she is finally placed in her crib we are also ready to head straight into bed and turn out the lights.
There are a few reasons why we do this. Firstly, we have always wanted to have our babies in our room, for their own comfort and security, so we can get to them quickly when they need us, and also for simple convenience. However, I have already noted how important I feel it is to not disturb the baby during the night time sleep, and so if we went to bed later than the baby there would always be the risk of waking her with sounds, light etc.
Secondly, in our experience, babies usually have a longer stretch of night sleep, followed by a feed, and then a shorter stretch. We have always seen little point in being awake while the baby is enjoying the first round of night sleep. We might as well make the most of baby's sleep time by making sure we are resting ourselves. If, for example, you put your baby to bed at 7pm, and she sleeps for 6 hours, wakes for a quick feed and goes down for 4 hours more, if you don't go to bed until 11pm, then you only have 3 hours of sleep before the baby wakes! Whereas if you both go to bed at 11pm, then you will enjoy all the sleep that baby will allow!
Thirdly, have you ever been in a room full of sleepy people, and then suddenly felt as if you have been hit by the sleep bug yourself? It sounds strange, but I sometimes wonder if baby is more inclined to go to sleep and stay asleep if they are in a room with other sleeping people.
Once baby is sleeping well through the night, then you can always bring her 'going to bed' time forward gradually every night, by about 15 minutes or so, until it is set at a time that you feel might be appropriate to maintain from then on. In our experience, this doesn't impact on a firmly established routine/pattern. Likewise, if you want to make your baby's 'going to bed time' later, it is best to do it gradually in the same way. If you suddenly try to make it later by a longer time, then it is likely that the baby will wake up at her usual time, and so enjoy a shorter amount of sleep and be irritable because of that.
There are a few reasons why we do this. Firstly, we have always wanted to have our babies in our room, for their own comfort and security, so we can get to them quickly when they need us, and also for simple convenience. However, I have already noted how important I feel it is to not disturb the baby during the night time sleep, and so if we went to bed later than the baby there would always be the risk of waking her with sounds, light etc.
Secondly, in our experience, babies usually have a longer stretch of night sleep, followed by a feed, and then a shorter stretch. We have always seen little point in being awake while the baby is enjoying the first round of night sleep. We might as well make the most of baby's sleep time by making sure we are resting ourselves. If, for example, you put your baby to bed at 7pm, and she sleeps for 6 hours, wakes for a quick feed and goes down for 4 hours more, if you don't go to bed until 11pm, then you only have 3 hours of sleep before the baby wakes! Whereas if you both go to bed at 11pm, then you will enjoy all the sleep that baby will allow!
Thirdly, have you ever been in a room full of sleepy people, and then suddenly felt as if you have been hit by the sleep bug yourself? It sounds strange, but I sometimes wonder if baby is more inclined to go to sleep and stay asleep if they are in a room with other sleeping people.
Once baby is sleeping well through the night, then you can always bring her 'going to bed' time forward gradually every night, by about 15 minutes or so, until it is set at a time that you feel might be appropriate to maintain from then on. In our experience, this doesn't impact on a firmly established routine/pattern. Likewise, if you want to make your baby's 'going to bed time' later, it is best to do it gradually in the same way. If you suddenly try to make it later by a longer time, then it is likely that the baby will wake up at her usual time, and so enjoy a shorter amount of sleep and be irritable because of that.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
4. Feed baby as much as possible during the day
I am a big supporter of 'breast is best' and I have always breastfed my babies. As soon as they are born I put them to my breast for as much time as possible so they can benefit from the colostrum and so it helps to trigger an abundant supply of milk. My last baby was on my breast most of the time for the first day or two after she was born and only really left my breast to have a cuddle with her Dad or to have her diaper (nappy) changed.
In the early days and weeks I try to breastfeed them as much as possible during the day. Usually this means breastfeeding every two and a half hours or so (from the time I start start one breastfeed until the time I start another), for as long as the baby likes. I have always thought that it's like 'filling up the tank', preparing them for a long stretch of night time sleeping.
This might seem like a long time to spend feeding, but I think the benefits of an unbroken night sleep outweigh the drawbacks of commiting yourself to so much time breastfeeding. Besides, I have always found it quite relaxing. It helps a lot with bonding and it's a good reason to just chill out and enjoy precious time with your new arrival. I also feel that all that feeding and closeness to Mom helps to make baby feel satisfied and secure, and a contented baby is probably more inclined to sleep well.
It might be worth mentioning here that it's important for Mom to eat a good diet and be well nourished in order to produce an abundant supply of high quality milk. Don't forget to look after yourself! The baby's health and wellbeing is dependent on your own.
I do realise and respect the fact that there are many women who, for various reasons, choose not to breastfeed their babies, but unfortunately I don't know anything about bottle feeding in order to offer advice. I have been through many different issues with breastfeeding though, so if anyone has any questions or concerns on this topic please feel free to email me. I will be happy to help if I can!
In the early days and weeks I try to breastfeed them as much as possible during the day. Usually this means breastfeeding every two and a half hours or so (from the time I start start one breastfeed until the time I start another), for as long as the baby likes. I have always thought that it's like 'filling up the tank', preparing them for a long stretch of night time sleeping.
This might seem like a long time to spend feeding, but I think the benefits of an unbroken night sleep outweigh the drawbacks of commiting yourself to so much time breastfeeding. Besides, I have always found it quite relaxing. It helps a lot with bonding and it's a good reason to just chill out and enjoy precious time with your new arrival. I also feel that all that feeding and closeness to Mom helps to make baby feel satisfied and secure, and a contented baby is probably more inclined to sleep well.
It might be worth mentioning here that it's important for Mom to eat a good diet and be well nourished in order to produce an abundant supply of high quality milk. Don't forget to look after yourself! The baby's health and wellbeing is dependent on your own.
I do realise and respect the fact that there are many women who, for various reasons, choose not to breastfeed their babies, but unfortunately I don't know anything about bottle feeding in order to offer advice. I have been through many different issues with breastfeeding though, so if anyone has any questions or concerns on this topic please feel free to email me. I will be happy to help if I can!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
