You may find yourself obsessing about sleep these days–the baby’s sleep and yours! There are a few time-tested tricks to get your baby sleeping through the night and a few things you should know about sleep safety.
Keep baby in the dark
Darkness stimulates the production of a hormone, melatonin, which is the natural cue for sleep–at any age. Dark curtains, heavy shades, whatever will eliminate virtually all the light in the room, can do the trick. This sounds so simple and yet it is frequently overlooked.
Try “white noise”
A low, smooth sound (AKA “white noise”) can help to lull your little one to sleep and keep her sleeping. Simple household items like fans, air purifiers or radios tuned to static can help light sleepers to drop off. You might also consider purchasing a “white noise machine.” They start at about $20, but go all the way up to Sharper Image prices, so you’ll have plenty of options.
Mother Nature’s lullaby
You can download the sounds of a forest or a gentle breeze, the ocean or even a spring rainstorm from iTunes or eMusic or buy CDs of environmental sounds.
Be sure you’ve created a safe sleep environment for baby
If you haven’t learned the ” Back to Sleep” mantra yet, now is the time. Back sleeping is the recommended position for newborns to help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). And be sure that large stuffed animals bulky blankets are removed as well as “sleep positioners”; they are dangerous and are not needed.
Caution!
Your baby may not be the only one whisked off to slumber by the sound of a rambling river—it’s very likely that you will join him!