ASK THE EXPERT
HOW CAN WE GET OUR BABY TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT?
Q MY baby is six weeks old and we’re exhausted because of the sleepless nights. What is the best way to help her sleep longer? A BABY sleep expert Charmian Mead, author of 7pm to 7am Sleeping Baby Routine (Vermilion, £12.99), says: “Focusing on a structured day routine will result in longer periods of sleep at night. There are four key points – feeding, digestion, awake time and sleep position.”
MILK OR FOOD INTAKE: “As part of a daily routine, feed your baby until full, allowing an hour for each feed. This allows time for winding.
“When breastfeeding, offer both breasts at each feed. The length and quantity of milk intake should be greater than feeds at night. Gradually increase intake each week until sleeping through.
“Make sure time spent feeding is active and not comfort sucking or snoozing, which teaches positive associations with feeding.”
DIGESTION: “Babies take on a lot of air. Winding frequently and alleviating air during feeds means baby will drink more milk and be comfortable, and sleep well between feeds. Wind every 0.5 to 1 oz on a bottle and every five minutes or so on the breast.”
AWAKE TIME: “Structuring time awake after feeds allows for digestion before a nap and gives baby awake time during daylight – the happiest time to be awake, full and wind-free. This also means your baby should only wake at night when truly hungry and settle quickly back to sleep.”
SLEEP POSITIONS: “How and where you put your baby to bed will determine how long they sleep. A baby who’s tucked securely into a Moses basket or cot will sleep longer than a baby in a chair or play mat.
“Create a positive environment for solid sleep, swaddled at night in a blacked-out room and tucked in firmly over the shoulders during the day. If the startle reflex is strong, swaddle during the day too.
“It’s a myth that a baby needs to get used to noise and can sleep anywhere in the first few months; a baby who sleeps solidly at night will be a much lighter sleeper during the day, so naps are best in the bedroom where noise is limited and lighting dimmed, with a daily pram nap and perhaps skin-to-skin cuddles.”