Authors: Penny Warner
Rock-a-Bye Baby (4 page)
Here are some simple dos and don'ts to keep in mind when it's time for bed
.
-
Don't put your baby on her tummy to sleep.
+
Do put her on her back to sleep.
-
Don't give your baby any alcohol or adult medications to get her to sleep.
+
Do check with your doctor to see if a baby medication, such as Infants' Tylenol, might help.
-
Don't let your baby go to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk, which may lead to tooth decay.
+
Do let your baby have a pacifier or a bottle of water if she wants it.
-
Don't give your baby herbal teas, except those approved by your pediatrician.
+
Do give her watered down juice if she doesn't like plain water.
- Don't ever shake, vigorously tickle, or roughhouse with your baby.
+
Do play with her gentlyâgames such as peekaboo or patty-cake.
Expert Advice
“Sleep 'til you're hungry, eat 'til you're sleepy.”
âauthor unknown
Begin your quest for your baby's sleep solution by discussing your concerns with your baby's doctor. She will check to see if there are any medical reasons causing the problem and, if so, begin treatment. Once medical issues have been ruled out, you can move on to find a tip or method that works for you. Here are some general suggestions I gathered from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Safety Council, La Leche League, professional sleep consultants, and child developmentalists to get you started. Their medically researched recommendations are basics you can trust, and you'll always be glad you have them at the ready.
Although it may not seem like it, newborns sleep about sixteen hours a day, but only for three to four hours at a time. Here's what you can expect:
⢠Seventy percent of babies sleep from midnight to 5
A.M
. by three months.
⢠Eighty-five percent sleep through the night by six months.
⢠A stretch of five hours is considered “sleeping through the night.”
⢠Babies have tiny tummies, so they wake up often for the next feeding. Breast milk is easilyâand therefore quicklyâdigested.
There's evidence that breast milk contains serotonins, which naturally relax Baby and help get him to sleep, so simply breast-feeding may help him doze off.
Put your baby on a regular schedule for naps and bedtime, so her body is trained to anticipate sleep on cue.
Babies are sometimes fussy after their immunizations. With your doctor's permission, you can give her a minimal dose of Infants' Tylenol.
An irritated bottom can keep your baby from sleeping. At the first sign of diaper rash (redness), use a medication like Desenex to clear it up.
Watch for signs your baby is tiredâsuch as yawning, rubbing eyes, whining, or getting crankyâand then put your baby to bed before he becomes overtired.
So baby doesn't want to go to sleepâbut is she betraying her own exhaustion? Check for these telltale signs of sleepiness before pushing for a nap
.
1
. Rubbing eyes
2
. Yawning
3
. Fussing, whining
4
. Lying down
5
. Slowing down
6
. Slow blinking
7
. Glazed look
NOTE: These can also be signs of illness, so check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
While parents are often reluctant to give up on Baby's nap, some babies just don't need the extra sleep anymore. Omitting an unnecessary nap may help Baby sleep better at night.
Some babies sleep better at night if they have a good nap in the daytime. And if they miss it, they may be overtired and have trouble sleeping during the night.