Baby Sleep Training: 6 Basic Strategies For Better Night's Rest - Sunday Hug

Baby Sleep Training: 6 Basic Strategies For Better Night's Rest

A sleeping baby girl with a pacifier. She is wearing a lacy white dress. Beside her is her white stuffed bunny. They are lying on a bed with a white sheet.

 

There is a lot of information out there about baby sleep training. From the best position for newborns to start their sleep education, to the position that babies naturally find when developing their own sleep patterns, it can be rather confusing. Today, we will go over the 6 basic sleep training strategies that you should remember.

6 Basic Strategies for Making Your Baby Sleep

1. Recognize Your Baby’s Sleep Signs

Babies have a harder time sleeping when they’re too tired. This is due to hormonal influences. When your baby is signaling that they are sleepy, head to the bedroom on time. Signs of sleep in babies include rubbing their eyes, staring blankly into space, yawning, slow activity, and sudden whining and fussing (it’s time to sleep)!

2. Before making a regular sleep training schedule, check your child's sleep signals.

It may be difficult to tell whether your child is irritable because of their sleepiness or just because they are annoyed... It is very difficult for new mothers to tell the difference. In this case, creating a 'regular schedule' is helpful. Roughly speaking, if you know from what time to what time your child takes a nap, and from what time to what time they eat, you can use this information to create a regular schedule.

Just look at the clock when your child gives you sleepy signals and note down the times and sleep signals displayed to see a pattern. For example, it’s good to know their sleep signals. For example, during your baby’s nap time, if they send a signal that they’re sleepy, it might be a good idea to stop playing and go to bed.

Tip: Please incorporate all patterns of eating, sleeping, and playing into your child’s 'regular schedule'. A child who eats regularly can more easily develop a regular sleep habit.

3. Start sleeping at night before 9:00 at the latest!

Sleep experts advise that babies should start sleeping at night between 7 and 8 PM. At the latest, they should go to bed before 9 PM. By setting a bedtime schedule, you can predict what time you will need to go home when you go out. If your child wants to go to bed at 9PM, they should be in bed by at least 8 PM. Then, even if you have dinner plans, you have to be home by 8 PM. Don't forget that children who sleep early get a deeper sleep!

4. Playing in the sun during the day.

There is a study showing that if you lack vitamin D, it is difficult to fall asleep. According to the results of a domestic study, when the level of vitamin D in the blood is low, it is difficult to sleep. That's a 36% increase in your chances of getting a light night's sleep. Sun exposure increases vitamin D.

In addition, the sleep hormone melatonin is also affected by sunlight. Whether you are an adult or a child, if you want a good night's sleep, it's good to play in the sun during the day.

5. Using a swaddle to prevent Moro reflex for sleeping well.

For newborn babies, if you wrap them in a good baby swaddle, they can sleep more deeply. A great wrap will hold your baby tightly and makes them feel like they are back inside their mother's womb. If you’re watching your newborn baby sleep, and they move their limbs by themselves and they wake up in shock, this is known as the Startle or Moro reflex. Your baby may cry experiencing this. When you wrap your baby in a swaddle, they will wake up less often as the Moro reflex is less likely to occur.

6. Ensure that you and your partner agree on sleep education.

There are many opinions about sleep education, but there are also some guidelines. To help your child to distinguish between day and night, reduce breastfeeding during the night slowly after a certain period of time, create a regular routine, and wait for 5 minutes when the child cries. The couple should come to an agreement on this matter. For example, when a child cries, their mother may tell the baby to wait five minutes, and their father may hug the baby immediately.

This is because what we study and what we understand are different. When a child wakes up crying in the morning, both halves of a couple can be sensitive. It's usually a good idea to get serious about your child's sleep patterns and how they're educated when they're in a good mood. This is because consistent sleep training is possible

---------------------------------------------------
Author: Deok Hyun Jang
- Former Nursery School Director
- A veteran teacher who has been running a daycare center for 20 years.