Helping baby sleep

1. If your baby is a good sleeper, you’re lucky - but make sure he feeds regularly enough in the first few weeks, he may need to be woken to feed.
2. Newborn babies who are more unsettled may benefit from skin to skin contact, lots of cuddles and possibly swaddling in a cotton sheet. This helps them feel secure by calming their Moro (startle) reflex. Ask your midwife to show you how to swaddle your baby.
3. Newborns find movement very soothing. If he’s unable to settle try rocking him in your arms, taking him out in the pram, or in a sling/baby carrier. Suckling is also very soothing - try a breastfeed or soother.
4. Using a baby monitor means you can keep an eye (or ear!) on your baby if he’s sleeping in another room. He can sleep in peace and you don’t risk disturbing him as you keep a check on him. Some monitors have a built in room thermometer to alert you if the room gets too hot or cold. It’s important not to let your baby overheat as he sleeps. If your baby is older, and a noisy sleeper, look for a monitor with adjustable sensitivity. You won’t hear every sound, but you’ll know if he needs you.
5. Try to encourage your baby to settle himself to sleep more after the first few weeks. Settle him into his cot in a drowsy relaxed state, and leave him to do the last part himself. Return to soothe him if he needs it.
6. Soothing lullabies can help soothe your baby back to sleep, and can be activated from your parent unit. A talkback function on your monitor means that you are able to reassure your baby without going into the room - this is really useful for sleep training, and also to let baby know you are on your way.
7. A night light is comforting for many babies, and is useful when checking on your baby when it’s dark. The nightlight on your monitor, for example, is not too bright to disturb your baby.
8. A special baby sleeping bag is a great alternative to sheets and blankets. They are tog rated for the different seasons, and keep your baby at an even temperature as he sleeps.
9. Babies (and parents!) really benefit from a bedtime routine from about 2-3 months onwards. In the early evening try a bath, a quick massage, a milk feed and maybe a special soothing bedtime song. From about 6 months, introduce a story (very simple picture book) and maybe a sleep time teddy or bunny.
10. Encourage your baby to sleep more at night by feeding well and regularly during the day, then at night, keep lights low, avoid too much stimulation and only change his nappy if necessary.