Baby Care: Use THESE tips to take care of your baby during the winter season

 Winter season can be very harsh on us and especially on the little infants who have a tiny developing immune system which cannot protect them well. This means that we need to take the necessary steps to care for our little ones during the winter season.

We all love this chilly winter season but sometimes it can get really tough to handle the chills of the winter season. Winter is the time when we all absolutely love staying curled up in our warm beds at home as opposed to anything else. After all, who wants to deal with the harsh winter chills and we all hate falling sick and struggling with a cough and cold during the winters. But what happens when you have a new baby who is still growing up.

It's very important to care for your baby the right way during winters because their immune system is not well developed and still developing which makes them more vulnerable to colds and cough and infections which can be very difficult to deal with. This is why it is essential to take steps to prevent such problems and protect your little baby from falling ill due to the harsh winter season.

Here are some easy steps to take care of your baby during the winter season:

1. Use a humidifier or a heater to keep your baby's room warm. During the winters the rooms too tend to get cold and it's always best to maintain a normal temperature of the room your baby spends the maximum time in. Invest in a good heater or humidifier to maintain the room temperature as well as keep the air in the room from getting too dry.

2. Use a good moisturiser to keep your baby's soft and sensitive skin healthy. The harsh winters can take a toll on your baby's skin and irritate him or her. This is why you need to use a good lotion or cream to keep your baby's skin nourished and supple.

3. Don't forget to give your baby a well-deserved massage daily and use a good moisturising oil for the same. Massaging helps your baby grow and develop better and stimulates blood flow and also boosts immunity. Moreover, using a nourishing oil can also be very good for your baby's skin.

4. It's very important to ensure that your baby is dressed in the right clothing. Keep your baby warm and comfortable at the same time. Do not wrap your baby up in too many warm clothes as it may make him or her feel stuffy and restrict movement which will, in turn, irritate your baby. Stick to good quality thermal clothes and keep your baby warm and comfy.

5. It's very important to remember that you are the one person who constantly touches your child and you may easily transfer germs to your child. Maintain your own hygiene during winters to keep your baby safe and protected from germs and infections. Wash your hands and sanitize them before holding or touching your baby. Your sweaters can be a breeding ground for germs. Change into fresh clothes as soon as you get home before you hold your baby.

Ensure that anyone who holds or touches the baby sanitizes his or her hands before doing so. Avoid going close to your baby or holding him or her too much if you've caught a cold. Try to use a face mask in case you do have a cold or cough. 

Winter care tips for babies

 In general, babies need one more layer of clothing than adults. Stick your hand inside your baby's clothing to see if he seems hot. Too much? Take one layer off.

Follow these seven tips for keeping your baby’s skin protected all winter long so you can enjoy all of the joys that the season brings.

Layer up, but not too much

When it’s cold outside we want to bundle our little ones up and protect them from the elements. And what’s cuter than a baby in a little snow hat? But how do you know if it’s enough, and when is it too much? The easiest thing to do is dress babies in several layers of clothing. In general, babies need one more layer of clothing than adults. Stick your hand inside your baby’s clothing to see if he seems hot. Too much? Take one layer off. If you see a little heat rash from overheating (yes, they can get it in the winter time too) treat it with a dab of safe, low-dose, over-the-counter hydrocortisone for a couple of days. But remember, hydrocortisone is a medicine, not a lotion, and should not be used for long periods of time.

Protect against the elements

This goes hand in hand with dressing in layers, but be sure to keep your baby protected from the cold and wind as much as possible. You might consider using a cover for your stroller so you can still get in those daily walks but your baby won’t be exposed to the wind and cold. And make sure her head and hands are covered whenever you’ll be out for prolonged periods of time.

Use a humidifier

Plug a humidifier in your baby’s room when he sleeps at night. Since central heating in the home also sucks the moisture out of your baby’s skin, you’ve got to replenish it. Using a humidifier will help to put some of that moisture back into the house and into your baby’s skin.

Think warm, not hot

Nice, warm baths may be just thing to warm your baby up after being outside in the cold. We recommend a bath each night to help your baby wind down and get ready for sleep. Make sure you continue with your nighttime bath routine throughout the winter, but be sure to use lukewarm – not hot – water. Also, keep bath times short – as short as five minutes – for small babies. Extended exposure to the water and hot water temperatures are also culprits of stripping moisture from the skin.

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

We know that it’s important to moisturise skin all year long, and sweet, tender baby skin is no exception. In the winter months when we have cold air, wind and central heat all working against skin’s natural moisture it is more important than ever. When your baby finishes a bath, pat him dry to preserve some of the moisture on his skin. Then, make sure you use a moisturiser on your baby after every bath. At the first sign of any dry skin, bump up your baby’s moisturiser from a cream to a hydrating ointment. Ointments have at least 80 per cent oil in their composition and are the most effective at preventing water loss from the skin. A trick to making ointments feel less greasy is to apply them to skin that is still damp.

Attack eczema head on

If your baby shows any signs of eczema, be sure to moisturise twice a day with an ointment in addition to moisturising after baths. A big part of eczema care is prevention on the front end so it never gets bad and uncomfortable for your baby.

Call in the experts

If your baby has dry, sensitive or red, irritated skin, you can use a low dose (1 per cent) hydrocortisone cream on the impacted areas. If the inflammation and irritation don’t improve in a couple of days, call your doctor. Your paediatrician or dermatologist may have a prescription that will do the trick.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DAY-CARE FOR YOUR BABY/TODDLER?

Choosing the right day-care for your baby can be quite a task, both emotionally and logistically. As a parent, you have your own reasons to opt for a day-care – be it professional obligations, social skill development or anything else that you find justified. But above all, what you are actually looking for, is a clean & quality day-care that has a friendly, interactive and passionate staff.

The early years of your munchkin’s healthy brain development calls for a lot of attention. A good day-care can be the perfect place to help your toddler develop social skills, build a good relationship with their teacher, inculcate good habits and a lot more to learn and grow with. Read along to know how you should go about it and what to look for in a day-care:

1. Where To Start?: A recommendation from family and friends can be an amazing starting point! Looking for some options in your own area should be considered because you don’t want to waste those precious hours on the road when you can spend that time making memories with your little one or finishing up one of your pending tasks.

2. Licensing: A legalized permission to run the day care business, is what a state-level license indicates. However, keeping a check on the hygiene factors like cleanliness & quality comes with accreditation from renowned organizations like:

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)

3. Good Teacher-to-Child Ratio: A caregiver should be there to keep a check on your child, at all times. Even if your little one is asleep, he/she is not left alone. Ideally, a caregiver should be supervising three to four babies/toddlers as these ratios determine the attention your baby will get for healthy social and emotional development.

4. Quality Educational Staff: The teachers or the educational staff should not just be creative and intelligent but should also have proper education and training too! You should ask about the professional development they usually get. Ideally, an efficient and educational staff must get such training each year to keep a check on their skills.

5. A Positive & Healthy Environment: A good and transparent policy procedure is something a quality day-care would always adhere to. Their day-to-day functioning depends largely on these, for it keeps the efficiency of the internal system at check. A good day-care would be happy and open to share everything (starting from immunizations to diaper changing routines). There must be processes in place to follow in case of an injured or a sick child. Also, emergency plans on sudden catastrophic situations like fire, flood or any other natural disaster should also be on the list.

6. Focused Mainly On Learning: Keep a check on the availability of age-appropriate toys, books and accessories. You may always enquire on what is the weekly activity plan schedule, which may include reading, art, music, drama and outdoor activities as well. Reading must be on their schedule.

7. Excellence Driven: With high standards and a motive that always leads to improvement, an ideal day-care must be driven by excellence. How is the program evaluated? Are outside evaluators the people who observe the program? What is the training plan for the professional development of the staff? Knowing answers to these, can help you a lot in choosing the perfect day-care for your little one.

If you find the best justified answers to most of such questions, you may have found just the right day-care for your baby/toddler. Let learning and growth be a fun-loving experience for them, after all!

Newborn Baby Care – Important Tips For Parents

The first few months with your newborn can be chaotic and overwhelming for first-time parents. You will get all kinds of contradicting advice from everyone about newborn baby care. Deciding what advice to follow in regards to newborn care can be confusing. Caring for a newborn is exhausting and challenging, but it is also one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of your life.

Tips to Take Care of Newborn Baby

Taking care of a newborn is obviously a challenge when it is your first time. So, here are ten ways that will assist you in taking care of a newborn baby:

1. Feeding

It is very important to feed the baby on time. A newborn has to be fed every 2 to 3 hours, which means you need to nurse her 8-12 times in 24 hours. An infant should be fed only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. Breast milk contains vital nutrients and antibodies that are required for a baby’s survival and growth. Nurse the baby for 10 minutes at least. Hold the breast near your baby’s lips until she latches on firmly and starts sucking. If the baby has latched on correctly, the mother will not experience any pain in her nipples. The breast should feel less full once the baby is done the feeding. This is an indication that the baby is getting enough milk. In case breast milk is not an option, feed the baby with a doctor-recommended formula. The baby should get 60 to 90ml of formula per feeding.

2. Burping

Once the baby is fed, she needs to be burped. Babies swallow air while feeding, which causes gas and colic in their tummies. Burping expels this excess air, thus aiding in digestion and preventing spit-ups and stomach colic. Gently hold the baby against your chest with one hand. Her chin should rest on your shoulder. Pat or stroke her back very gently with your other hand until she burps.

3. How to Hold Your Newborn

It is very important to ensure that you are supporting your baby’s head and neck with one hand while holding her. This is because her neck muscles are not yet strong enough to hold up the head independently. The backbone is also still growing and becoming stronger. The neck will be able to support the head on its own only after 3 months of age. So pay attention to supporting your baby’s head and neck while taking care of a newborn baby.

4. Umbilical Cord Stump Care

An important aspect of newborn baby care in the 1st monthis caring for the umbilical cord stump. Do not bathe your baby for the initial 2-3 weeks. Give her a sponge bath instead with lukewarm water. Keep the navel area clean and dry. Keep the baby’s diaper folded down so that the stump can dry. Disinfect your hands before handling the navel area. To clean, use a damp cloth and dry with a clean, absorbent cloth. Lookout for signs of infection in the cord-stump area. If there is redness, swelling, smelly discharge or pus, and bleeding in the navel area, take the baby to a paediatrician.

5. Diapering

Changing diapers frequently is an important aspect when taking care of a newborn baby after delivery.If your baby is getting sufficient breast milk or formula, she will wet at least 6 to 8 diapers in a day, along with regular bowel movements. Change her diaper frequently, as soon as it feels full. You may even have to change it at least 10 times a day. To change a dirty diaper, you will need a changing sheet, gentle diaper wipes, diaper rash cream or baby powder and fresh diapers. In order to prevent UTI, wipe your baby girl from front to back rather than back to front. And let your baby remain without a diaper for a few hours each day.

6. Bathing

Bathing a newborn is a delicate task. You should start bathing the baby 2 to 3 times a week after the cord stump dries and falls off. Make sure you have all the bathing and changing supplies ready before you take the baby for a bath. Bath time just before bedtime helps babies sleep more soundly. You will need an infant bathtub, lukewarm water, mild baby soap or body wash, a washcloth, soft towel, baby lotion or cream, new diaper, and fresh baby clothes. Get your partner or a family member to help, so that one person can hold the baby’s neck and head above the water while the other bathes the baby. Use soap sparingly. Clean the baby’s genitals, scalp, hair, neck, face, and any dried mucous that has collected around the nose with the washcloth. Rinse your baby’s body with lukewarm water. Once this is done, dry the baby’s body with a soft towel, apply lotion and put on a fresh diaper and baby clothes.

7. Massaging

Massaging is a great way to bond with your baby. It also helps in soothing the baby to sleep and in improving blood circulation and digestion. Spread a small quantity of baby oil or lotion on your hands. Next, gently and rhythmically stroke her body. Maintain eye contact with the baby and talk to her when massaging her body. A good time to massage the baby is before her bath.

8. Handling Your Newborn

There are a few things to keep in mind when playing with your baby. Never shake your baby as her internal organs are delicate and can be damaged by vigorous shaking. Do not throw the baby up into the air, as this can be dangerous. Always disinfect or wash your hands before handling the baby, as their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are vulnerable to infections. Ensure that your baby is fastened securely in a stroller, car seat, or baby carrier if you are taking her out. Make your baby lie on her tummy every day for a short while. This will make her neck and back muscles stronger. It will also improve her vision, as she will need to look up and sideways to see.

9. Sleeping

Newborns need to sleep for about 16 hours a day in the first 2 months. They usually take naps that are 2 to 4 hours long and wake up if they are hungry or wet. As the baby needs to be fed every 3 hours, you may need to wake her and feed her. Do not worry in case she does not follow the ideal newborn sleep pattern. Every baby is different and has a different sleep cycle. You should also remember to alternate your baby’s head position while she is sleeping. This prevents the formation of flat spots on the head. Make sure you put the baby to sleep on her back to avoid suffocation. A mother should try to take naps along with the baby. She can also use the time to have a bath or eat a meal peacefully while her baby is asleep.

10. Trimming Nails

Newborn nails grow very fast. The baby may scratch her own face or body with her hand movements. Hence, it is important to keep the baby’s nails trimmed. As the nails of a baby are soft, so use baby nail clippers. Try and trim the nails gently when the baby is asleep. Do not trim it too deeply as the nails are very tender and it could be painful for the baby. Do not trim the edges of the nails as this will cause ingrown nails.

New parents should seek help from family or friends so that they can rest and take care of themselves too. First-time parents of a newborn can be quite perplexed about several aspects of newborn baby care. This article will help new moms care for their newborns with confidence.

Source- https://blog.looglebiz.com/health/newborn-baby-care-important-tips-for-parents/

Top Baby Dinner Food Recipes to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

Mothers never seem to get enough sleep, and many wonder what are the top baby dinner food recipes to help your baby sleep through the night. Here are some tips and recipes that will help in doing just that:

First off, you need to make your baby’s dinner be their biggest meal of the day. That ensures he or she has a full tummy and that can aide in helping them to sleep soundly through the night. If the baby has a good night’s rest, it means you, as a parent, can take a break too.

Feeding your child at the right time also aids in helping them sleep through the night. So, if you want them to sleep better, try giving them dinner about an hour and a half before their bedtime. This gives time for the food to settle and start to digest.

In what ways does food affect the body?

It’s a fact that some types of foods make babies (and adults too) more awake, while other types of foods cause people to get sleepy. Food that cause sleepiness stimulates the body to produce chemicals, such as melatonin, which makes feel calmer. A substance contained in some foods that does this is known as tryptophan. Tryptophan helps the brain make serotonin, and from that it can produce melatonin, which is also known as the sleep hormone.

Some foods that contain a lot of tryptophan are:

• Poultry, especially turkey (think about how sleepy you may have gotten after a huge meal on Thanksgiving!)
• Bananas – Bananas contain magnesium, which has been proven to be a natural muscle relaxant and also helps to promote sleep. Bananas also have other natural ingredients that help with sleep, including melatonin and serotonin.
• Certain dairy products, especially some kind of cheeses. One idea is to give your baby some bananas (pureed for infants) along with some nice warm milk at bedtime to encourage sleepiness.
• Green leafy vegetables – Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach also has a lot of tryptophan. They are also healthy in many other ways too, so the fact they may promote sleep is an added bonus. There are baby dinners out there that are in a pureed form, as well as toddler meals that contain spinach or other related veggies that you could try.
• Oatmeal — Especially warm oatmeal helps to soothe the stomach and promote sleep. (Look below for a recipe for some delicious oatmeal your child will love)
• Whole grains – Whole grains are a complex food with lots of carbohydrates. This kind of food helps the body to make insulin, and that is another hormone that helps people sleep better. So, if your child is old enough, try giving them a snack of a few whole grain crackers perhaps with some cheese on top. You can also serve up other whole grain products like bread or a bagel if you child is old enough to eat them.
• Eggs – Try some scrambled eggs mixed with cheese to get double the sleep inducing features.
• Beans – Beans also have a lot of tryptophan in them. Plus they are loaded with protein too and contain a lot of fiber. All these things work together to help your child fall asleep and stay asleep since the fiber fills them up so they won’t wake up hungry again a few hours later.
• Rice — Rice too will help a child sleep better. If an infant, you can use baby rice cereal and either feed it directly to them mixed with some warm milk, or if younger maybe just add a spoonful of it to their nightly bottle. Rice is high up on the glycemic index, so even though it gives them energy at first, it causes a crash a couple hours later, thus inducing sleep.
• So, what are some other ways to use the above foods to help make your child sleepy at bedtime? Depending on their age, here are some possible combos to help your child sleep more soundly. For instance, you can combine some turkey with potatoes (if an infant maybe fee them pureed baby food turkey and some mashed potatoes), or for toddlers who aren’t sleeping all night, try feeding them some baby food pasta with a bit of grated cheese on the top, or maybe some scrambled eggs and a piece of wheat bread.

If your baby still drinks bottles, then after they eat their dinner foods, top it off with a nice warm bottle of milk. There’s a good chance this will finish soothing your child and help him go to sleep and stay asleep for several hours. You can also add a bit of cereal to their last bottle before bedtime. Just a tablespoon or so is enough, and make sure the bottle is nice and warm.

Warm Oatmeal and apples

This meal combines oats, which have lots of fiber, and apples. For infants it is best to use pureed apples in the recipe. This recipe should make enough for two servings.

Ingredients:

One half cup oats

Two cups of water or you can use milk for part of the amount of liquid if desired

1 cup apple slices (for toddlers) or a jar of pureed apples for babies

Cooking instructions:

Cook the oatmeal by adding the liquid (water, milk or combo) and adjust the consistency to how you need it. Cook until it thickens. Then add the pureed apples or apple slices. Stir. Cook until the slices soften, or until it is done, about five or six minutes. Serve warm.

We mentioned rice as a sleep inducing food earlier. Here is another tasty recipe for helping your child sleep:

A quarter cup of short-grain rice

1 cup of milk

Two tablespoons pureed apples

Sugar (just a tiny bit if desired)

Cooking instructions:

Wash the rice, cover with water and soak for half hour. Boil the milk, then add in the rice. Then add the pureed apples. Put on low heat and cook about 10 minutes until soft. If needed add more liquid for thinning it to the consistency needed. Add the sugar if desired. Serve warm.

Source:www.babysleepsite.com/homemade-baby-food-recipes/top-baby-dinner-food-recipes-to-help-your-baby-sleep-through-the-night/

Can I give my Baby Sabja Seeds?

Sabja seeds are those tiny jelly like balls in your lemonade. Since they’re so cooling, Moms often wonder: Can I give my Baby Sabja Seeds in summer?

Have you ever had lemonade with tiny little jelly balls floating in them? If so, in all likelihood what you saw were Sabja seeds! These tiny little ball like seeds are traditionally known to reduce body heat, which is why they’re so popular in summer.

Sabja seeds are seeds of the sweet basil plant which belongs to the Ocimum genus. Sweet Basil is different from Tulsi, also known as Holy basil.  These seeds are also known as Basil seeds, Sweet Basil seeds, Falooda seeds or Tukmaria seeds. They’re usually grown in tropical countries and have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines for many years.

Sabja seeds have no unique taste of their own, but add an interesting texture to recipes where they’re used. They can be consumed after soaking them in water for few minutes. Sabja seeds are used to enhance the taste of the juices, beverages, mock tails, smoothies, ice creams, baked goods and other dishes. The pectin-rich gum from basil seeds is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in the food processing industry.

Health Benefits of Sabja Seeds

Sabja seeds are rich in fiber and various nutrients that help in proper functioning of the body.  It contains omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin, iron, calcium, magnesium and antioxidants.

• Helps in digestion
• Aids fat loss
• Works as a natural coolant
• Helps to relieve constipation
• Maintains gut health
• Controls blood sugar level
• Helps to maintain skin and hair health
• Builds strong bones
• Improves vision
• Reduces inflammation
• Lowers levels of bad cholesterol

Can I give my Baby Sabja Seeds?

Sabja seeds are those tiny jelly like balls in your lemonade. Since they're so cooling, Moms often wonder: Can I give my Baby Sabja Seeds in summer?

Sabja seeds are excellent for keeping the body cool and preventing overheating, but they’re better suited for children over 1.5 years, due to their being a choking hazard. However, babies over 8 months can digest sabja seeds, so if you’d like to try it, you can introduce a very small quantity and see how baby takes it.

Soak 1 tablespoon of seeds in 1 cup (250 ml) of water for 10-15 minutes. Make sure the seeds have sufficient water to soak in. You’ll find that the seeds grow to almost three times their size. Strain the soaked seeds and feed your baby or use in recipes.

While not mandatory, it’s better to follow the 3-day rule to be on the safe side, and start with a small quantity in the beginning. If the baby displays symptoms like itchy rashes, abdominal pain, burning sensation in the mouth, swelling of the face or shortness of breath, he needs to be rushed to the doctor right away.

Sabja seeds are available in most Indian grocery stores, gourmet supermarkets and online stores. Be sure to store the seeds in a cool, dark place that’s not too humid. When stored properly, the seeds can last for up to three years, but do a periodic check to ensure they’re fresh.

Source: https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/can-i-give-my-baby-sabja-seeds/

How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through the Night

Wondering how to get your baby to sleep through the night?

“So… how much sleep are you getting?”

If you’re a new parent, you get this question all the time. The first few months of parenting can be rough — and everyone knows it.

And it’s even harder if your little one is having a hard time settling down at night. You can’t wait for the day when you’ll finally get a full night of sleep again. Even six hours would be amazing.

This is my complete guide to getting your baby to sleep through the night. I use these proven techniques with my clients to help the whole family get a great night’s sleep. If you don’t get these basics right, you could be in for a lot of sleepless nights.

Let’s get started.

1. Create A Calming Sleep Environment

To help your baby get a great night’s sleep, creating a peaceful environment can make all the difference.

Be sure to keep the room as dark as possible. Darkness triggers the release of melatonin, a natural hormone that promotes sleep. Bright light causes the release of cortisol, signaling the body that it’s time to be awake and alert.

Blackout blinds are a great way to maintain a dark environment that’ll help your baby fall asleep. Choose lighting options that won’t disturb your baby’s sleep, like this cute moon nightlight.

If your baby often wakes up after you put her down, consider a white noise machine. They’re a great way to block out environmental noises like barking dogs. And studies have shown that most babies fall asleep faster in rooms with white noise.

2. Set Up A Regular Sleep Schedule

One of the most important things you can do to ensure a great night’s sleep is to get your child on a regular sleep schedule.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends establishing a consistent sleep schedule for your baby. Get in the habit of getting up and going to bed at the same time every day. Each night, your little peanut will know when sleep is coming, and he’ll quickly adapt to the new routine.

Your baby’s sleep needs will change throughout the first year. You’ll find that you can put him down earlier and he’ll sleep for longer stretches as time goes on. Be flexible, and adapt with your little one as his needs change.

3. Establish A Regular Bedtime Ritual

how to get your baby to sleep through the night

Creating a consistent bedtime ritual will help your baby get ready for sleep. Choose soothing activities that will help your baby get settled. For instance, you might give your little one a warm bath, read a story, or play some quiet music. Minimize stimulation.

Make your routine simple and easy to do, so you’ll be able to stay with it night after night. Using an app like the Bedtime app from Johnson’s can help you create a routine that sticks.

Once you’ve got your routine up and running, your bedtime ritual will create positive sleep associations… making it much easier for your little one to get settled.

4. Get The Timing Right

Now that you’ve got a regular sleep schedule set up and your evening ritual is on lock, it’s time for the most crucial part. Look for the signs that your baby is almost ready to fall asleep, but not quite there yet.

In short, you’re looking for the moment when your baby is drowsy but awake. That’s the right moment to put her down, so she can fall asleep on her own.

Drowsy but awake is a guideline, not an iron-clad rule. It means that when you put your baby down, she should be calm, comfortable, and ready to fall asleep on her own.

Odds are, sometimes when you put your little nugget down, she’ll start crying when you leave the nursery. Stay strong. A good rule of thumb is to allow ten minutes for your baby to settle herself down. You’re naturally primed to respond when your baby starts crying. But when you let her settle on her own, you’ll teach her a crucial life lesson: how to take care of herself.

5. Put Your Baby Down Earlier

If late-night wakings have been a struggle, you might be thinking you need to set a later bedtime. Get him really tired out and he’ll sleep all night, right?

Actually, it’s the other way around. By around the fourth month, most babies are ready for sleep as early as 7 pm… although your baby’s sleep needs will change throughout the first year. Wait too long, and you’ll have a cranky, fussy baby on your hands who can’t get settled.

Worried your kid will be up at the crack of dawn? Don’t stress. Most of the time, babies who go to bed at the right time sleep through the night and wake up refreshed.

Finding the right time may take a little experimentation. If your current bedtime is later in the evening, try setting it back 15 minutes. Keep setting it back every couple of days, always keeping an eye on how easily your baby falls asleep. Before long, you’ll be hitting that drowsy-but-awake sweet spot by early evening.

6. Never Skip The Afternoon Naps

Regular afternoon naps are as important as early bedtimes. Especially during the first year, afternoon naps are essential for helping your baby recharge and refresh… so when bedtime rolls around, he’ll be easy to handle.

Setting up a consistent routine is the key to success. Look for signs of sleepiness, and always try to put him down drowsy but awake. Try simpler, shorter versions of your evening bedtime ritual to get naptime off to a smooth start.

Plan play dates and other activities around naptime to keep your routine on track. And don’t worry when life gets in the way. You’re driving back from running errands and get stuck in traffic for an hour on the freeway? No worries. Having a solid naptime routine in place will make it easy for you to get back on track tomorrow.

how to get your baby to sleep through the night

7. Avoid Sleep Props

We all have a nighttime routine to help us get to sleep. Whatever yours is, it helps you settle in for a great night of sleep.

And your baby is no different. If she’s a newborn, she may want you to hold her or rock her to sleep. But as she gets older, she’ll form other sleep associations. White noise, sucking on her fingers, a quiet lullaby… the possibilities are endless.

Some sleep associations are fine. If your baby is getting to sleep on her own — for example, by sucking on her fingers — it’s all good.

But some sleep associations aren’t healthy, because they depend on you. If your baby needs you to bounce her or sing to her to get to sleep, she can’t settle down without your help. And that means she still needs to learn a crucial skill: how to self-soothe.

If your baby is still depending on you, focus on the basics. Create a dark, calming nursery environment that will help her sleep. Set up a regular bedtime routine. And put your little one down drowsy but awake. It may not be easy — but you can teach her to sleep on her own.

8. Try Dream Feeding To Reduce Nighttime Wakings

We all know what it’s like to wake up hangry. Jump out of bed, run to the kitchen, and scarf down the first thing you see. A whole box of Pop-Tarts. Cold pizza. A can of tuna. It doesn’t matter. Because you can’t sleep on an empty stomach.

And an empty tummy is one of the most common reasons why young babies wake up in the middle of the night, too. But there’s an easy way to eliminate nighttime hunger: dream feeding.

Dream feeding is a way to give your baby more calories late at night, so he can get a solid night’s sleep. Whenever you’re ready to turn in for the night, typically around 11 pm, get your baby out of the crib. But don’t fully wake him. Start nursing your baby, and he should start feeding even if he isn’t completely awake.

Is your baby waking up hungry, very early in the morning? Try an early-morning dream feed. Pay attention to the time when he usually starts crying, and start setting an alarm about a half-hour earlier. If he usually wakes up around 4 am, set an alarm for 3:30. If your baby still needs night feedings, by doing this, you’ll help him get comfortably through the night… without rewarding him for crying behavior. But be careful that you aren’t comfort feeding, this can actually contribute to sleep troubles and night wakings.

9. Skip The Midnight Diaper Changes

You’ve heard it over and over again: “change the diaper after every feeding.” But what do you do when it’s 2 a.m. and you discover that your little peanut needs a diaper change?

If she’s just wet her diaper, it’s fine to let her sleep. Your baby’s diaper will wick away moisture so that she can continue sleeping. A midnight diaper change will only disrupt her sleep routine. Unless your baby’s diaper is completely soaked, she’s pooped, or she’s suffering from diaper rash, you’re better off letting her sleep.

And if you do need to do a midnight diaper change, get in and out like a ninja. Keep the room dark, move gently and purposefully, and try not to engage your little one.

how to get your baby to sleep through the night

10. Keep Your Expectations Realistic

Be real with yourself. No matter what you do, your baby probably isn’t going to be sleeping twelve hours a night at two months. Know what typical baby sleep schedules look like so you’ll know what “sleeping through the night” looks like at every age.

And be flexible. The first year, you’ll experience a lot of ups and downs. Just when you think your baby has the sleeping-through-the-night thing down, the dreaded sleep regression kicks in. And you’re back to late nights in the nursery.

Highs and lows will happen throughout the first year. But if you’re ready to adapt as your baby’s needs change, it’ll go a lot more smoothly than you expect.

 
Your Turn

The first year is a challenge — and if your little one isn’t sleeping, it’s even harder for everyone. But with these ten strategies, you can get your little peanut sleeping soundly through the night. And you can get the great night’s sleep you deserve, too.

Be sure to create a calming environment, set up a consistent bedtime ritual, and always put your little one down drowsy but awake.

Source - https://violetsleepbabysleep.com/how-to-get-your-baby-to-sleep-through-the-night/