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One of the things new parents dread the most is an infant who refuses to go to sleep. You must have read in parenting articles that infants sleep almost 14-17 hours a day. But that will not help you the least as it might be a 15-minute nap distributed through the day and night. That leaves parents with raccoon eyes and aching bones. So how do you set a healthy sleeping routine for your infant? Well, we have a solution to that. Here are some tips on how you can help your newborn get into a healthy nap routine. Read on to know them all.
1. Invest In A Good Baby Monitor
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Giving your infant their own space is a significant step toward developing good, self-reliant sleeping habits. In addition, you can check on your baby without disturbing their sleep with the help of a smart baby monitor. Baby monitors have always been a must-have for new parents, and recent technological advancements have greatly increased their usefulness.
2. Create A Comfortable Environment
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Even while we can’t always choose where the baby sleeps, it’s still a good idea to have a particular room set up for their nighttime sleep. The nursery should be a quiet and well-ventilated room. You can use a white noise machine to help the baby wind down for the night. Your infant may have trouble falling asleep if the humidity is too high. An infant’s nasal passages may inflame, produce too much mucus, and become blocked if exposed to dry conditions. In addition, the growth of mold and mildew in a moist area can be hazardous to your baby’s health.
You should also try to provide yourself with a soothing space to sleep. Keep the clutter to a minimum and the laundry that requires folding in a different area. It should have the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of a peaceful haven. Put on some relaxing music, lay on clean beddings, and light a candle if you need to unwind. A little self-care goes a long way toward easing stress.
3. Maintain A Regular Sleep Routine
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Babies and parents both benefit from a regular routine and predictable schedule. If you and your infant follow the same routine every night, you’ll both learn to recognize the onset of sleep and prepare for it accordingly. A warm bath, storytime, and some soft music before bed are all great ways to help your baby wind down for the night. Sticking to a routine might be challenging because of job commitments, responsibilities to those other children, and the desire to spend time with friends and family. When your infant is young, consistency is important.
Create your own reassuring ritual after putting the baby to bed. There aren’t hard and fast rules, so do whatever seems reasonable. For example, some new parents practice yoga or meditation, eat healthy food, and follow a restrictive diet. The most important thing is to establish a routine before the night that lets you wind down from the day’s activities.
A Baby’s sleep pattern provides the necessary predictability for a healthy night’s sleep. You can schedule your day more effectively if you anticipate having some downtime at some point. A baby’s nap time is an excellent opportunity to get some rest, especially if you’re still in the initial phases and have trouble sleeping. Even if there’s a mountain of dirty clothes and an overflowing basin of dishes, you should prioritize getting some shut-eye over those chores. Taking even a brief snooze may do wonders for your energy levels.
To encourage nighttime sleep, keeping your baby from taking frequent naps throughout the day works best. However, ensure your baby is not overstimulated by activities, or they will have difficulty calming down for sleep.
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Each parent can get some rest if they ask for assistance and divide the feeding and changing tasks at night. For example, breastfeeding mothers might relieve themselves of nighttime feeding duties by pumping milk throughout the day. Find a timetable that works for both of you and stick to it. You may take turns waking up in the morning or switching days. Ensure you leave time in your weekend routine so you may occasionally sleep in.
One of the most challenging elements of parenting is trying to get enough sleep, especially when the children are little. The good news is that you and your family can take some simple, proactive steps to significantly boost the amount and quality of sleep you get. So, what is your secret to getting your little one into a healthy sleeping routine? Let us know in the comments section!
