6 keys to getting your baby on a great sleep schedule, according to experts

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If you can not remember what it is to have more than two hours of consecutive sleep at night, that's for you.

Growing up as the youngest of six, I had a pretty angelic look at the baby. I loved you. I almost had no experience with them, but in my mind, my dolls gave me all the knowledge I needed for my baby's experience. I begged my mother for another child - a little brother or sister would be a perfect birthday present! But unfortunately, during my five years, my dolls should be enough for a hungry baby. 

So at age 14 I had the next best thing - niece. And my world, including my "experience" of how to raise a baby, facing upside down. The kids were much more demanding than I expected. I watched my brother and sister immediately become the closest to the zombies of all the new parents who suddenly gave up on the fun.

For many parents, the first six months of a child's life may seem like a big fog. Awakening several times during the night affects your body and mind. But there are some things you should understand about sleeping, which will help you with this crazy time to be more manageable. 

Bedtime matters 

Even though babies basically sleep all through the day, having a set bedtime at night is extremely beneficial, according to sleep specialist Dr. Jodi Mindell. And keeping that bedtime early - about 7 or 8 p.m. is recommended. 

"We know that babies who go to bed later take longer to fall asleep and wake more at night," Mindell told Fatherly. "Overtired babies take longer to fall asleep and wake up more often." 

Give the baby some (appropriate) independence 

You've heard of self-soothing before, but according to "The Gift of Sleep" author Elizabeth Sloan, there are a lot of misconceptions that come with self soothing. 

In their first two months, babies most likely won't be able to self soothe. But if all is well with your baby: he's not hungry, sitting in his own filth and is safe, then it's OK to let them make a little fuss. 

"I think there is this mixed signal that once the baby makes a noise, you have to immediately pick them up," Sloan told HuffPost Australia. "In actual fact you will probably make the baby more overtired and confused, as they will wonder why they are being picked up when there's nothing actually wrong. All they're doing is trying to go to sleep by themselves. The best gift you could give them is the opportunity to try." 

Use their bed what it's intended for 

Many parents wait until the baby is asleep to put them in their bed, but according to"The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight," author Kim West, it's helpful to put your babe to bed before totally asleep. 

Once your baby is about 6 weeks old, West said it's helpful to create a sleepy scale from 1 to 10; 1 is wide awake and 10 is completely asleep. Place your baby in bed when she hits a seven on the scale. This eventually helps your baby learn to self-soothe. 

Stop feeding their emotional eating 

During the day, your baby should be able to go to sleep without having to eat around eight weeks, according to Sloan. 

"Feeding shouldn't be used as a tool to make them fall asleep, because if you get into that cycle, chances are they aren't even feeding because they are hungry. They are just associating the sucking as a behaviour to put them back to sleep," Sloan told HuffPost Australia. 

Do things consistently 

Comfort is essential for your baby's sleep, and comfort is often created by keeping a routine. Doing the same things before bedtime each night (i.e. reading a story, taking a bath) get your baby in the bedtime mindset. Mindell also said research shows that the more a father is involved in the bedtime process, the better the child will sleep. 

Avoid eye contact 

It's such a simple thing, but parenting adviser Claire Lerner said making eye contact with a drowsy baby can snap them out of their sleepiness. Try to keep your night-time interactions as low-key as possible. 

"The more interaction that takes place between you and your baby during the night, the more motivation she has to get up," Lerner told Baby Center. 

Overall, the most important thing to remember is that babies DO have a crazy sleep schedule, but gradually it will get better. If you have already developed bad habits. For your sleepy baby, those habits can be broken in time. In the meantime, keep on keeping on. It will get better!

credit:familyshare

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