Tips For Infant Sleep Coaching

 Does your baby need to be shaken by you to sleep – or wake up in the middle of the night to demand a breast, bottle, or hug before returning to sleep? If your baby is at least 4 months old, it's going to be time to start sleep training. By that age, babies can - and should - fall asleep or return to sleep on their own by self-soothing. If you're dreading sleep training (also called sleep coaching), know that it's often accomplished faster than many parents imagine, and doesn't even involve a lot of tears. Here's how and when to start sleep-training your baby to help you get a good night's sleep as suggested by renowned infant sleep coach, Vidhi Beri.

What Is Sleep Training?

Sleep training is teaching your baby to fall asleep without your help. This means that the baby is laid in bed but remains awake, and he or she drifts away without moving, moving, hugging, feeding, or being silenced. Sleep training also teaches the child how to go back to sleep when he inevitably wakes up throughout the night.

Tips That Will Make Your Baby Sleep Well

1.  Recognize your baby's signs of tiredness

Children often show subtle signs of fatigue but we don't always recognize them. Understanding your baby's sleep cues can be helpful in getting your baby to sleep with the least amount of fuss. Some easy signs to recognize would be yawning, rubbing eyes, hoarseness or rowdy behaviour. It is really better to put your baby to bed before you see these symptoms. If your baby shows these symptoms, such as an hour after he wakes up, you probably need to practice putting your baby to sleep 45 minutes or more after you wake your baby.

2.  Set a Day-Night Pattern

While babies sleep a lot, it is also important to note when and how often they sleep. Many parents find that their child is awake and playful at night, and has a sound and long sleep during the day. This day-night confusion is common in the early weeks. This phenomenon occurs because babies are not born with developed internal clocks or circadian rhythms, which help them differentiate between day and night. Usually, most babies outgrow this stage by the age of 4 months. However, you can speed up the process and help your baby fall into a pattern much sooner.

3.  Room environment

Babies prefer cool temperatures while sleeping. Typically, a room temperature of around 24 degrees works best for most babies. So, keep the room cool. If necessary, turn on the air conditioner and/or fan. Room fans often also act as white noise, cancelling out a lot of sudden noises and sounds in the home and establishing a continuous, ambient sound in the bedroom. Also, avoid overdressing your child. It is also a good idea to keep the room dark when it is time to sleep and keep the baby in bright, well-lit places when it is awake.

4.  Try to surround the child with things they love

Using a toy or something they love so much would be lovely. This could be a blanket, an animal, or a doll—as part of his self-comforting routine. Do not let the baby sleep with a bottle of milk in his mouth. This contributes to severe tooth decay. Not many toys in bed are any better than a furry one.

5.  Wake up, eat, play, sleep - repeat!

Newborn babies take longer to feed, and hence, they consume very little amounts. Also, it seems that the mere act of feeding makes the baby tired easily. This is one reason why it is helpful to feed babies soon after waking up – they are most energetic and thus can feed fully and burp properly. They may even be awake for a while and look around and then they can be swaddled and put to sleep at an appropriate time. Following these simple techniques can help your new born and the whole family sleep better in the early months of this new life. It also sets the stage for healthy sleeping habits as you get older.

When To Call The Doctor?

Never hesitate to contact your child's doctor if you would like guidance on when and how to start sleep training. If you follow a consistent sleep training method and it still isn't working after two weeks, you may want to call your doctor for advice and advice.

And while it's not usually a health concern, if a baby spits up or throws up once or twice while crying, it can be upsetting and upsetting for everyone involved. Also, if it happens more than once, it could be a sign that the baby is sick or that it is not the right way for your family. Talk to your pediatrician to see what's going on.

Final Thoughts

Sleep training often involves tears for both you and your baby initially. But with time, consistency, and a little luck, you'll soon be sleeping soundly, and your little ones will have learned this valuable life skill of how to sleep and sleep alone. To learn more about such topics or to hire a professional infant sleep coach, contact us or book an appointment online through our website.