1. Babies will do a lot of sleeping and eating in the first few weeks and will not be on any type of set schedule. Take care of your babies’ nutritional needs and honour their sleep!
2. Never wake a sleeping baby! The only exception would be if your baby for some reason is underweight or the doctor has advised frequent feeding. If your baby is sleeping, let her sleep! My advice would be not to let her sleep over 5 hours during the day in order to ensure nights and days don’t get mixed up.
3. Your babies body clock (Circadian Rhythm) will develop naturally as baby develops. By about 3 months it will more like an adults and will get more and more consistent with time.
4. Swaddling a baby up to 3 months really helps with keeping baby comfy and cozy and controlling the startle” (moro) reflux that can wake babies
5. Try not to let the books scare you with how many hours your baby “should” be sleeping or what your schedule “should” look like. Follow a Wake, Eat, Play, Sleep schedule and you will be just fine and way less stressed!
6. During the hours of 5 and 6 am little ones are in a REM (light and dreamy) state of sleep where little things can wake them- a noisy muffler next door, birds chirping. Don’t be surprised if your child stirs or wakes during this time. Give them a few minutes to try and fall bask asleep before rushing in
7. A dark room is best for napping an nighttime. Blackout blinds will be your best friend!
8. Baby’s sleep can be interrupted by stimulated items in the room- flashing turtle lights, bright aquarium toys- less distraction = less stimulation! Much better for infant and toddler to sleep!
9. Try not to move your toddler to a big boy or girl bed until the age of 3. At this age they are better able to understand consequence and it will make for a much easier transition. Plus it is safer when they are older.
10. A bedtime routine is KEY to do help your baby prepare for the long sleep. Do the same thing every day. Babies love consistency and routine!