Get Prepared For Your Newborn's Sleep

"Congratulations!" is the first thing out of everyones mouth when they hear the big news. Then it is “oh get your sleep now because when the baby comes you won’t get any”.

So as you & your significant other get the diapers and crib together you are resigned to having no sleep for the first six months or so, it can’t be that bad, can it? No it doesn’t have to be, if you follow my simple suggestions, then you and your little one will be on a great path to some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

We have all met or heard of someone that has a child that can sleep anywhere; well they are very lucky, because they are very few and far between.  For most infants they like the creature comforts of home, like most of us do. So I suggest you get black out curtains or blinds, these are a must as babies like to sleep in the dark, it helps them go to sleep and sleep better. I know what you are thinking, but then my baby won’t be able to sleep without them when we travel. I have never had a baby that sleeps well when they are away from home. So without black out shades it doesn’t really matter for when you are travelling or on vacation.

Would you like to sleep with something dangling in your face? I sure know I wouldn’t. So what makes you think your baby would? Don’t put mobiles in cribs, they are for change tables when your baby is awake and can enjoy them.

Now we come to a very important detail that most people wouldn’t even think of, bumpers.  Bumpers really have no use except for making your nursery look pretty. Keep them basic and no bright colors or patterns, otherwise your baby will be looking at them and not sleeping. Keep the animals, polka dots and stripes for other parts of the nursery.

You have most likely had people tell you to keep the door open so your baby can learn to sleep through anything. Most adults can’t sleep through anything, especially when you are having a nap. The next door neigbor is mowing his lawn or the telephone rings and wakes you up, right? So why expect your baby to sleep through the exact same things that you can’t?  So keep the door closed, so they get some nice restful sleep.

Having said that, a sound  machine is a great purchase too, as in the early days home from the hospital it helps your baby feel secure because in the womb it is like hearing a vacume cleaner all day long, so your baby will like the comforting sound like his mother’s womb. Also they block out the phone, dogs barking and people talking right outside his room. A lot of people don’t want to use one because they think there baby will get used to it and they will have to carry it everywhere. You can get a great one made by Dex Products for $24.99, it takes batteries and can be plugged in, and it is super small so it can fit in your luggage no problem. So in my opinion there is no question about getting a sound machine.

Monitors are a big item these days; there are literaly a dozen monitors on the market today. I suggest you get one that is a camera; these are the most invaluable tool that you will spend your money on. You will be able to see your little angel when he is fussing, so you don’t have to go in to his room and risk waking him up further to take a look. They are also great for when you just want to check and make sure he is ok. As we have all been there, turning the door knob ever so quitely and tiptoeing into the bedroom, only to see a little face staring up at us. My reccomendation is the Summer brand, they are inexpensive and they work very well

Swaddling blankets, these are a must, make sure you get large stretchy ones, or better still the Kiddopotamus Swaddle Me are great, you don’t have to worry about learning how to swaddle. They take the hard work out of swaddling.

So get out there, go shopping and have some fun.

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Author Bio: Kathy Sinclair CNCS, CPD, CLE, CHBE graduated from Australia’s prestigious Charlton Brown Nanny College and began her professional career as a Nanny in 1993. Kathy developed her specialty with Infant Sleep while working as a Newborn Care Specialist in Los Angeles. Currently the founder of Baby Sleep Solutions, Kathy provides one on one individualized sleep consultations, leads Mommy & Infant groups for new moms and lectures on sleep in and around Los Angeles.  She lives in Ventura, Ca with her husband and three dogs. She may be contacted through her website www.babysleepsolutionsla.com