Solving Baby Sleep Problems - Its Time to Sleep

If you're a parent with a young child then here's a question that may make you yawn ? what were you doing this morning at 1am, 3am or 5am. Were you sleeping like a baby or were you in fact cuddling and rocking your little cherub in an attempt to get them back to sleep? After all that's what being a parent is all about ? isn't it?!

A lucky few will have been asleep in bed throughout the night, but a large percentage of the parenting population will have been up feeding or pacing the floor with the little bundles of joy.

Just as your newborn weaves magic through your heart, the effects of sleep deprivation can cast a spell on your body and mind. One child in three has real sleep issues before they reach school age, but these can be overcome in many cases - and it doesn't have to involve leaving your baby to cry for hours on end.

So, Why Don't Young Children Sleep?

We all sleep in cycles consisting of blocks of light and deep sleep. If you rock your baby to sleep or let them fall asleep at the breast before putting him down, you're heading for problems. Your baby passes into a phase of light sleep and is more likely to wake as they realise they're alone. They'll cry, you'll go back to them and because you don't know any other way, you'll pick them up, rock them back to sleep and put them back in their cot. And the cycle continues!

Common Sense Way

Controlled comforting was devised by Australian mother-craft nurse Rhonda Abrahams. It's kinder than controlled crying. 'A baby under 6 months should never be left to cry,' says Ronda 'older babies shouldn't be left for more than 10 minutes crying.'

Rhonda based her technique on common sense. 'Babies need to learn to go to sleep by themselves so that if they wake in the night they're able to settle themselves back to sleep,' she explains. To work, the techniques need to be used for all types of sleep, or your baby will get mixed messages. And little ones learn by repetition. So you should adopt this routine for both daytime and nighttime sleeps.

Ready or Not?

Before starting the programme?

Ensure your baby is well. If they become ill just as you start the new routine, stop and start again when they are better.

Make sure that you're well ? it won't do either of you any good to be starting a new routine while your body is under stress.

Try to keep a fairly free week to devote as much time and effort as possible to making the routine work. A busy schedule will make it harder, and it'll take longer to work.

If anyone else cares for your baby, make sure they know what's involved ? nothing sabotages a new routine as fast as mixed messages.

Get a dim nightlight so that your baby can see their surroundings when they wake.

It's Just Routine

A regular routine is the surest way to get a baby or toddler to sleep independently. Little ones respond to a familiar pattern of events, and sleeping in the same environment each night gives then a sense of security and comfort. Establishing a bedtime routine will benefit not only your child, but also `you and your partner as you can have a bit of adult quiet time'.

Encourage patterns in the life of your newborn, as these will turn into routine ? and babies learn from repetition. Keep in mind that a habit can be formed in just three days!

The best way to establish a routine is to use the feed / play / sleep method. During the day when your baby wakes, feed them and then let them play for a while. Watch out for tired signs (yawning, rubbing their eyes, grizzling, hiding their face). When you notice them, you'll need to begin settling them. Have a cuddle before a daytime nap; in the evenings, give them a relaxing bath. Baby massage can also calm your baby. Never over stimulate your child before bedtime or think that the longer you keep them up, the more tired they'll become and the easier it will be to get them off to sleep. An overtired baby is harder to settle, and if you wait until they're tired to begin their last feed then they'll drop off to sleep while you're feeding them. The main challenge with this is that your baby will get a fright when they wake up in the cot by themselves and they'll wonder where you are; after all when they fell asleep they were in your arms!

Settling - Newborn ? 6 Months

Unless your baby's unusually co-operative, prepare yourself for some crying ? it's useful to have someone else there to support you.

1. Wrap your baby firmly, but not tightly, in a small blanket or pram sheet, covering their hands to help them feel more secure and prevent them from catching themselves in the face if they flail around.

2. Place them in their cot on their side so that they're looking away from you (avoid eye contact), and with their feet close to the end of the cot. Remember that this isn't the position that they'll sleep in ? you'll turn them onto their back once they're asleep. In the meantime, they won't come to any harm, as you'll be in the room with them at all times. Look at the clock and make a note of the time. You're going to give them 15 minutes to settle.

3. They'll probably have started crying by now. Place one hand on their shoulder and gently stroke their back or pat their bottom gently with the other hand. They'll probably continue to cry.

4. If, after 15 minutes, they're still crying and showing no signs of settling, pick them up and give them a cuddle (don't rock them to sleep ? remember this is what you are trying to avoid).

5. Once they've calmed down, put them back in their cot, facing the other way this time, and try another 15 minute period of settling. Put one hand on their shoulder and pat or stroke them, as before. If they start to quieten, take your hand away ? the idea is for your baby to settle itself.

6. Once your baby is soundly asleep, roll them gently onto their back, loosen the wrapping and leave them.

7. If your baby is still crying, pick them up, cuddle them, and start again.

The most important thing is persistence. New routines take time, but just think how much more enjoyable parenthood will be when you are getting a good nights sleep.

Settling 6 ? 12 months

Again, it will really help if you have support. With this technique your baby will never be left alone crying for more that ten minutes at a time. Are you ready? Well here goes!

1. Lie your baby in the cot on their back. Ensure that their feet are at the end of the bed and tell them "It's time to sleep now". Leave the room and wait for two minutes. You want to give you baby the chance to fall asleep by themselves. As soon as they realise that they're alone it is likely that they will start to protest. If they don't settle within 2 minutes, then go back in.

2. Roll them on their side, facing away from you. Put a hand on their shoulder and keep patting their bottom or upper thigh gently with the other hand. Do this for two minutes, repeating the words "It's time to sleep now" in a gentle and soothing voice. If the baby us still protesting after two minutes, then leave the room, and wait out side, this time for four minutes.

3. If they still haven't settled, go back in and try settling them, this time for four minutes. Next time, it'll be six minutes, then eight minutes and finally ten minutes.

4. In the unlikely event that after the ten minute session they still haven't settled then pick them out of the cot, give them a cuddle, calm them (making sure you don't rock them to sleep), and when they have settled repeat the process.

You will notice that your child's crying will reach a peak, and then it will tail off, often very quickly, until they eventually settle themselves off to sleep.

As has been indicated throughout this article, the key to success is perseverance. If you follow this routine to the letter then within 3 ? 10 days your baby should be sleeping through the night, and be able to put themselves back to sleep, should they waken.

Good luck and happy sleeping!

To find out more about the It's Time to Sleep programme then visit www.smileybaby.co.uk

Graham Nicoll is a father of one, Toby, as well as being an avid entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast.

He enjoys writing and working with people to help them achieve greater success in their life. Whether this be overcoming mental roadblocks or helping them improve their health and wellbeing.

Graham spends a large proportion of his time consulting with small and medium businesses, helping them to grow through the development of their people and their business development activities. Graham is an active speaker at business events / conferences across the UK. Graham can be contacted on graham@busylittleones.co.uk

---

Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs

Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery.... Read More

Scheduling Your Baby Naming Ceremony - the Right Time Makes All the Difference

If you're at the stage of wanting to organise a... Read More

How To Look For Baby Books

Look for Books! The books that you pick to read... Read More

How To Talk To Your Baby ? And Understand What She?s Saying Back

It is incredible, but within a years time your baby... Read More

Luxury Baby Bedding - What to Look For Before You Buy

When buying luxury baby bedding, perhaps first decide what style... Read More

Couples Baby Shower Honors Both Mom and Dad

If having a Couples Baby Shower seems odd to you,... Read More

Choosing Baby Names for Twins

Choosing a baby name for your new born can be... Read More

Baby Cribs - Safety Is Key

You have just learned that you are expecting a baby.... Read More

The Baby Crib: Your Child?s First Bed

It is up to you as parents whether you want... Read More

Your Baby And Social Skills

Your baby's first year is filled with many challenges and... Read More

Baby Girl Clip Art

The online baby girl clip art images help you to... Read More

How to Buy Infants? Best Educational Toys?

Buying educational toys for infants can be difficult, because infants... Read More

How To Get Your Baby into Baby Modeling?

Parents everywhere believe that they have the cutest baby in... Read More

How to Make Your Own Baby Food and Save a Fortune!

Baby in a highchair, mom in front with a small... Read More

Stammering Toddler

Some parents have the shock of hearing their young child... Read More

Baby Acne

One of the most common conditions a new mother may... Read More

Every Baby Shower Needs Great Baby Shower Games!

Games for a baby shower help the baby shower hostess... Read More

Babies: How to Get Your Children Excited About the New Arrival

The sudden appearance of a new baby can be rough... Read More

Babies Suffering For Colic

About one quarter of babies will suffer from colic from... Read More

How to Save Money on Wedding and Baby Shower Favors

Planning on having a wedding or baby shower soon? Getting... Read More

What to Look For When Choosing Baby Furniture

If you're a new parent, be aware that you baby... Read More

Baby Room Themes: Fun Ideas Your Baby Will Love

Decorating a nursery for your new baby can be a... Read More

The Character Traits of the Typical Libran Baby

Your Libra Baby..September 23 - October 22Libras can be really... Read More

Baby?s First Shoes: How to Choose the Right Ones

Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question:... Read More

Babies Bring Love, Joy, and Opinions

The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More

Information on Purchasing Babys Dresser

Babys dresser or baby chest of drawers make up the... Read More

Five Easy Steps to Potty Train Your Baby

No?Don't let your child pee or poop every where and... Read More

Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever

Sooner or later, your new baby will develop a fever.... Read More

Honor Grandma with a Baby Shower for Grandma

Throwing a baby shower for grandma could be a great... Read More

Language Development In Your Baby

From birth to one year your baby will go from... Read More

Baby Crib Safety - Frequently Asked Questions

The crib is where your baby will spend a lot... Read More

Potty Training Your Child: The Five Potty Training Methods

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler.... Read More

The Personality Traits of a Capricorn Baby

Your Capricorn Baby..December 23 - January 19Capricorn babies thrive on... Read More