sleep dilemmas - coles baby club

You – and everyone else, it seems – will be preoccupied with how much sleep baby is getting and how little sleep you’re getting. It could consume your life if you let it. Do some reading and listen to advice, but take note of the few snippets of information that sound worth trying and discard the rest – or you’ll be kept awake at night pondering all the options!

Sleep – bring it on!

Some babies are born ‘good sleepers’ and sadly others are not. If you fall into the latter category then even the mere suggestion of ‘establishing a routine’ may bring you to tears.

Ways to encourage sleep:

• Learn tired signs (see below)
• Have bedtime rituals
• Baby massage
• Warm bath
• Baby music
• Motion (rocking chair, hammock)
• Wrap baby
• Burn ‘sleep inducing’ oils such as lavender
• Encourage night sleep by discouraging any form of play/interaction
• Try a top up feed before bed
• Teach her day (lights on, noise/play/chatter) from night (lights off, no noise/play/chatter)
• Avoid overstimulation before a sleep
• Eliminate caffeine if you are breastfeeding

Distractions from sleep

Hunger, overtiredness, discomfort, loneliness and sickness can distract baby from sleep. Check for a wet or soiled nappy, or a nappy that is rubbing on, or sticking to, skin. Is baby too hot/too cold, needs to be wrapped/unwrapped? If baby has just fed, what about wind?

Babies are social creatures and like to be around other people. They can often sleep quite happily in a noisy room. Often a cuddle or close contact is all baby needs. Try humming a lullaby or putting on soft music. Avoid the temptation to rock baby to sleep.

Take baby’s temperature (anything above 37.5°C is a fever and definitely seek medical attention if it approaches 40°C).

Are you giving baby enough time to fall asleep? Interruptions from you re-entering the room may be all it takes to keep your baby alert.

Recognise the tired signs

• Yawning
• Frowning
• Jerking arms and legs
• Rubbing eyes
• Grizzly
• Crying
• Clenching fists

Reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• Put baby to sleep on her back
• Put baby’s feet at the bottom of the bed so that she doesn’t work herself under the covers
• Make sure the cot and mattress meet Australian Standards
• Make sure baby sleeps in a smoke-free environment
• The cot should be free from quilts, bumpers, pillows, cushions and soft toys
• Breastfeed for as long as possible

When enough is enough

Seek help from your child health nurse or your family doctor, particularly if your baby’s sleep is causing you mental and physical exhaustion. They can help you work through the issues and can suggest alternative approaches, which may include a visit to a sleep clinic.