Ask any new parent what they long for most and there are no prizes for guessing the answer!
Though each baby is different and there is no magic formula for sleep, a few tried and tested tricks may just work for your bundle of joy. Many new parents will discover that their baby often mixes up day and night! He may like to sleep more during the day and be in his elements at night. Well, after all it is not really his problem whether it is night or day as long as he gets fed, changed and cuddled, right? It might do well to remember that in the womb it was dark all the time and he never got the chance to adjust to the day-night cycle. Don't worry he will soon adjust his rhythm with a little help from you. Here are some simple strategies to help you and your baby get your beauty sleep.
Sleep when your baby sleeps
Yes, this is what everyone says and it seems so impractical! But at least for a few days till your baby gets adjusted to the day-night schedule, this will help you keep your sanity. Put off your phones, ignore the laundry and the kitchen sink and just catch that nap along with baby.
Set up visitor hours
When you are already feeling overwhelmed, it is not easy to deal with friends and visitors, especially if your baby is sleeping when they visit. In India, close friends and family may not call before visiting, so do make it clear that you would appreciate advance notice. It may also be a good idea to have visitors after the baby settles into her routine for a couple of weeks.
Sharing your bed
It is tempting to have baby next to you especially while you are nursing. You may want to consider the fact that your own movements and sounds could disturb your baby if she is sharing your bed. Also there could be the risk of rolling over and smothering the baby. For these reasons, many experts recommend that it is best to keep the baby in a separate crib and not share a bed with parents. Some parents feel that on days when baby is fussing too much, it may be a bother to keep getting up and bringing baby to your bed. You would need to evaluate and make your own decision on this. However if you want baby to sleep in a separate bed, it is better to do this regularly so that she gets used to the routine. Whether baby sleeps in her own bed or shares one with you, do remove items such as soft toys and decorative/heavy bedding, or large, soft pillows which could be allergy-inducing and pose a risk of suffocation with a younger baby.
Share nighttime duties
Work out the feeding schedule with your partner so that both of you get your share of rest and sleep. If you are nursing, then maybe he can bring the baby to you and then take over the cleaning and changing duty. If your baby is bottle fed then each of you could take turns.
Help baby set her internal clock
Since your baby will take a little time to adjust her internal clock, you could help out here by exposing her to natural light in the morning. You could draw the curtains to let in sunlight and take her out for a few moments in the morning sun. At night minimize lighting in your room and while feeding and changing, keep movements and lighting to a minimum to enable her to wind down quickly.
Learn your baby's sleep cues
It may be a good idea not to wait till your baby is rubbing her eyes, yawning, feeling tired and cranky, to put her to bed. If you watch your baby for a couple of days, you will be able to pick up her signals and help her sleep better. Don't wait till baby is fully asleep before putting her in the bassinet or crib. Put her in when she is drowsy but not totally asleep. This way if she wakes up in the middle of the night sleepy, she will just go back to sleep without expecting to be rocked or picked up. It may take a while but it is well worth the effort. You can go through our article on "Interpreting your baby's cry - sleep" as well.
Stick with a sleep schedule
Once you are able to identify your baby's patterns, be consistent with the regular nap and sleep schedules. This will help in regulating the baby's internal clock. Though you may need to be flexible at times, more often than not it is better not to upset the baby's schedule. Do discuss your training plans with your partner and the caregivers so that there is no confusion. Consistency is the key to any schedule that you plan for your baby.
Using white noise for sleep association
Recent research on babies' sleep patterns reveal that white noise is an excellent cue for sleep time. It is a comforting noise, much like the soothing hum in the mother's womb. White noise could be the gentle hum of a fan that can mask other sounds. If you turn on the fan or any other white noise machine, it will work as a cue for your baby to get her to relax and go to sleep. There are downloadable tracks available online for white noise makers if you are not keen to use the fan or air conditioner.
If you establish healthy sleep patterns early, by 4 or 5 months your baby will get most of her sleep at night with a few daytime naps. The trick is to be consistent, patient and observant. The most important thing to remember is to be realistic - ‘sleeping through the night' does not mean 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It is more likely to be 5 to 6 hours for most babies by the time they are 4 or 5 months provided they are not hungry, wet or colicky! So tryout these strategies to enjoy your baby and your beauty sleep.