Sleeping

There are many different reasons why babies do not sleep. It is normal for a baby at six weeks old not to sleep through the night. Feel confident in yourself to know whether your child is really distressed or just restless. Trust your instincts.

Try to establish a regular sleep routine early on by putting them to bed at a regular time (day and night). Place your newborn baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in your bedroom for the first six months. Prepare a warm, comfortable place for them to relax in. Try to avoid always rocking your baby or 'feeding them' to sleep as this can become a habit. Adult beds are not designed for babies and toddlers and do not conform to safety standards. Only breastfeeding babies should ever be fed in bed and should be positioned on the outside of the bed and returned to the cot after the feed.

As they become toddlers, bedwetting may be stressful for both of you and can wake your child. Try not to lose your patience or punish them, your child is not doing this on purpose. Children learn at their own pace and praise and support will help.

You can help your baby to sleep safe and sound by keeping the temperature in their room between 16-20°C. A basic room thermometer will help you to keep an eye on the temperature.

Bed sharing with your baby is never completely safe. It is particularly dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you (or your partner):

• Are a smoker (even if you never smoke in bed or at home).

• Have been drinking alcohol or taken any drugs.

• Have taken any medication that makes you drowsy.

• If your baby was premature (born before 37 weeks).

• If your baby was low birth weight (less than 2.5kg).

• If you or your partner are overweight.

It is very dangerous to fall asleep together on a sofa, armchair or settee. Also, it is risky to allow a baby to sleep alone in an adult bed.

1. Place your baby in the feet-to-foot position i.e. baby’s feet at the foot of the cot.

2. Newborn babies sleep in a cot in parents’ bedroom or room where you are during the day.

3. Make sure baby is not too hot nor too cold.

4. Put baby to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of cot death.

5. Keep baby’s head uncovered.

6. Do not smoke and keep the house smokefree.

7. No pillow, stuffed animals, toys or bumper pad.

8. No heavy or loose blankets.

9. If a blanket is used, it must be tucked in and only as high as the baby’s chest.

10. Crib sheets must fit tightly over mattress.

11. Use a clean, firm, well-fitting mattress. Mattresses should carry the BSI number BS-1877-10:1997.

12. These tips apply to day time and night time sleeps.

Source: www.lullabytrust.org.uk