*There is no such thing as bad habits in the first 4 months. Do whatever you need to safely do in order to help your little one sleep.
*Keep the lights low and your interactions to a minimum during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. You do not want to inadvertently reinforce your baby's nighttime wakings. Instead, save the playing and talking for the daytime.
*Newborn babies need a certain amount of quiet, tranquil time when they are awake during the day. While talking, singing and reading to your baby is important, it is also a good idea to not overstimulate your little one with too many activities, visitors and the like. Just like us adults, they too need a little bit of down time every day.
*You can start using a simple bedtime routine at around 6-8 weeks of age. Having a bedtime routine helps your child unwind and understand that nighttime sleep is coming. Children thrive with predictability and you will continue to have a bedtime routine for your child for some time.
*Young babies tend to be very sensitive to changes in routine and can get overstimulated rather easily. If you have an unusually busy day with your little one it can disrupt his/her nighttime sleep. If that happens, just try your best to make sure your baby gets a little extra quiet time and good naps the next day.
*As babies get older they become less portable. Instead they need a quiet and familiar environment in which to sleep both during the day and at night.
*You can begin gentle sleep coaching once your baby is 18 weeks of age (age adjusted) and your pediatrician has given you the green light.
If your family needs individualized pediatric sleep support, please do not hesitate to contact me at Rest Well Baby (www.restwellbaby.com) to learn more about my gentle sleep coaching services and to schedule a FREE 15 minute initial phone call anywhere in the United States. I am passionate about helping tired families get the sleep they need!
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Wishing you all a restful night's sleep! www.restwellbaby.com