Create a calm sleep environment
The bedroom and cot area is for quiet, soothing activities. Make sure you also have a regular routine you follow at bedtime. This could include a bath, stories, lullabies and time together with gentle play, kissing, hugging, maybe a massage and then bedtime.
This will ensure that the bedroom is not associated with being left alone and therefore does not becomes a feared place.
Some babies might like white noise or a fan in the background, but make sure there is nothing too stimulating in their cot, as this could distract them from sleeping. You could also use a night light with a yellow or red bulb. This helps with circadian rhythm formation and is far less harsh on baby’s senses and brain if they wake in the night.
Make sure your baby’s room is darkened. You could invest in some black out blinds, which are useful for keeping early morning rays out.
Use a swaddle or a baby sleep sack, this helps create a cosy warm space for your baby.
You could also use a sheet or a muslin that smells of you and tuck this safely into your baby’s cot so they have your familiar smell around them which is so comforting.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep – never on their front.
This will reduce the risk of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
At around 6 months old, your baby will be able to move themselves from their back to their front and back again by themselves – they will then be able to find their own sleeping position.
The first few times they roll onto their tummy you might gently turn them back but do not feel you have to get up all night to check.
After 6 months old, give them time to play on their tummy in the day but make sure you supervise them whilst they are on their front.
For more information from the Lullaby Trust, click here: Lullaby Trust