Five best sleep tips

Disrupted sleep really does take its toll – so the quicker your baby sleeps through, the better. Meg Faure, co-author of the Baby Sense series, has put together the best tips to ensure a good night’s rest, for your baby and for you.

1 STICK TO A BEDTIME ROUTINE

Make sure your baby always goes to bed at roughly the same time, with a predictable routine building up to sleep. Babies and toddlers should go to bed between six and seven at night. Start the evening routine with a warm soothing bath followed by a calming massage. (Colic babies benefit from a morning massage though). Dim the lights in Baby’s room after bathtime. Stay put in this dusky space – so don’t go back into the bright lights. Limit interaction, and keep it calm. No stimulation advised.

2 PUT YOUR BABY TO BED WHILE HE’S STILL AWAKE

Wake your baby after the last feed, so that he doesn’t have to fall asleep with the help of a bottle or on the breast. The way your baby falls asleep when it’s bedtime – with the help of a bottle, on the breast, with a dummy or being rocked – determines the way he expects to go back to sleep following night feeds.

3 DON’T WAKE HIM TO FEED

Don’t wake your baby for feeds during the night, unless your paediatrician has advised you to do so because Baby is ill or underweight. Wait for Baby’s cue that he’s hungry during the night.

4 SHHH!

Night feeds should be all work and no play, so keep any and all stimulation to a minimum. Keep the nursery dark, and use a light from outside, or a very dim night light to see. Don’t change Baby’s nappy, unless it’s been soiled or his clothes are wet. Limit the time you spend winding him.

5 KEEP HIM COMFY

Your baby will get his best sleep when he’s warm and comfortable and has a comfort object such as a blanket or soft toy. Make sure the comfort object is small and can’t lead to choking or any other hazard for your baby. Keep your baby warm by using a baby sleeping bag rather than loose blankets and duvets. It’s safer and more comfortable. ●