Rachel's 5 Favourite Sleep Tips for Newborn Babies

It's easy to be confused by the range of information and advice so freely given about new born babies and sleep. Very young babies depend on their parents for everything as they adjust to life outside the womb, including sleep.  These really simple tips can really help new when you are struggling with the tiredness that comes with having a new baby in the house:

1. Consider wearing your newborn baby for daytime sleeps. 
   Babies love to be held close.  The movement of your body will help soothe your little one to sleep and you’ll probably find he will sleep longer too.  One of the added benefits of wearing your baby is that your hands are free to things, whether its chores, playing with an older child or catching up on social media or a good book.
2. Sleep your baby in your bedroom. 
   Research tells us the safest place for babies under six months to sleep is in the same room as the mother.  Not only is it safest, you are also able to respond more quickly to your baby if she is right beside your bed. 
3. Rest when your baby sleeps.
   Even better, sleep when your baby sleeps.  Taking care of a young baby can be exhausting and it seems to take up more time than most first time parents imagined.  Your baby needs you day and night, so having a nap when your baby sleeps is a great way to ensure you get enough sleep when your night time sleep is broken.
4. Help your baby know the difference between night and day. 
   New born babies really don’t know whether it’s daytime or night time – and they don’t know we like to sleep at night. Circadian rhythms  (sometimes referred to as your “body clock”) don’t develop for several months but you can help your baby learn that night time is for sleep by keeping the lights dim and voices soft when responding to her needs through the night.  During the daytime, expose your little one to bright light, such as sunshine and make this the time for activity and play.
5. It’s Ok to cuddle or soothe your baby to sleep.  
   Babies need to be calm and peaceful in order to drift off to sleep and some babies need some help from their parent to be ready for sleep.  Being responsive to your baby’s  needs will help him find sleep more easily.

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Rachel presents a two hour session - Learn about babies and sleep in Mildura, in the last week of every month. 
It is suitable for parents and carers of babies from 4 weeks of age.
For more information, please contact Rachel