Your Baby – July 2019

BABY FILES: NEWBORN YB

JULY & AUGUST 2019 | 43

Images: Gallo Images/Getty Images

TOP TIPS FOR HAPPY SLEEP

✓ Baths are soothing and sleep-

inducing; most babies will sleep well

after a bath.

✓ Massage your baby while playing

gentle music.

✓ Ensure some quiet time before he

goes to bed, as overstimulation hampers

sleep.

✓ Keep lights dim for bedtime by using

a night light or the passage light.

✓ Don’t play during the night; feed and

change him and then put him back to

sleep.

✓ Don’t leave your baby to cry when he

wakes up, as he will trust you if you meet

his needs immediately. If you don’t, he’ll

learn that only long, hard crying gets

your attention.

✓ Sleep promotes sleep. Try to have

your baby nap after his first feed/

breakfast, and he’ll sleep better for the

rest of the day and at night.

✓ Experts say that good sleep habits are

promoted during the first four months,

when babies are establishing them. If

you can, and if baby is happy about

it, you can gently help him to comfort

himself and fall asleep independently.

CAN I TEACH MY BABY TO SLEEP?

Babies are not robots and so, just when

you think you’ve got a sleeping routine

sorted, your baby may very well change

his mind – and your plans!

Sleep guidelines are generally sound,

but be aware that because your baby is

unique, you can “tweak” suggestions to

fit your particular situation and family.

Get to know your baby. He may need lots

of cuddles or want to be independent.

Tailor your sleep routine around

his preferences.

Know sleep stages. Only move your baby

once he is in deep sleep. Gently lift him,

and then put him in his sleeping place.

Warm the spot with a hot water bottle

first and then remove it.

Put your baby down when he is in

the light sleep state. Ensure that you

transition him smoothly, since jerky

movement could startle him and wake

him up. Theoretically, he will now be

able to go from a light to deep sleep

without your input.

Feed and put him down in a drowsy state,

which means that he learns to fall asleep

independently. You can pat and soothe

him until he closes his eyes, but don’t

leave him until he is in light sleep state.

Put him in his sleeping place when he’s

in the quiet alert state stage. Tuck him

in firmly and pat him until he’s drowsy;

very quietly leave and because he’s

tired, trusts you and is familiar with

his surroundings, he might happily go

to sleep.

You can also try this step when he is in

a quiet, awake state and it’s time for

his nap.

WHERE SHOULD MY BABY SLEEP?

Your sleep routine and sleeping

arrangements depend entirely on what

suits your family. Moms and dads might

want to co-sleep with their newborn,

while other parents choose a strict

routine from early on.

Try a few arrangements to see what

works for you, and remember only that

old habits die hard; so, what you choose

should work as well as possible for

everyone concerned.

To help you decide where to put your

baby to sleep, consider these tips:

In the first few weeks and months,

your baby will need to feed at night, so

choose an arrangement that minimises

disruptions all round.

You may change your sleep routine

and place once your baby is feeding less

at night.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS:

THE PROS AND CONS

YOUR BED

Pros Better bonding, easier

breastfeeding and instant glee when

he wakes up.

Cons Your sex life may suffer, you’ll

be more aware of a little person

in your bed and so possibly have

disturbed sleep, and you may worry

about getting your baby into his own

cot, bed or room. Your sleep noises

may disturb your baby’s sleep.

YOUR ROOM, OWN BED

Pros He’s close by, so you’ll feel

he’s secure and you’re able to observe

him if he is unwell. Night feeds are

still easy.

Cons Disturbing him might still

be a concern, and he may keep

you awake.

OWN ROOM, OWN BED

Pros Your baby may go to sleep more

easily on his own, and you don’t have

to worry about disturbing him. It's also

easier to get your sex life back on

track if baby’s in the nursery.

Cons You’ll have to get up for night

feeds, may worry about being unable

to observe him if he’s sick, and babies

need and want the closeness of Mom

during the night.

(Discuss safe co-sleep arrangements

with your caregiver.)

SAFE SLEEPING

✓ Your baby must sleep on his back or

side and never on his stomach, as this

increases the risk of sudden infant death

syndrome (SIDS).

✓ Use only cotton blankets and sheets,

which must be securely tucked in.

✓ The mattress must be dry, firm, clean

and aired.

✓ Room temperature must be 20 – 22

degrees Celsius.

✓ Only use a beanie for newborns;

thereafter, keep his head uncovered.

✓ Learn first aid and CPR techniques.

✓ Don’t use sheep skins, quilts, duvets

and pillows.

✓ Don’t allow smoking near your baby or

in the house.

It is dangerous to sleep with your baby if:

✘ You or your partner smoke

✘ You have been drinking alcohol

✘ You are on medication or drugs

✘ You are very tired

✘ You are together on a sofa or in an

armchair

It might be more difficult to transition

a toddler to his own room or sleeping

place, but this depends on how you do it

and your child’s temperament. YB

hospital, although you should always

be guided by your baby in what is

called a baby-led routine.

At this stage, your baby has no concept

of night and day, as he needs to eat

regularly over a 24-hour period and the

sleep-regulating hormone melatonin will

only be secreted as he is exposed to light

and dark (which takes about six weeks).