Babies Don't Sleep on Demand

How can I help my baby sleep without sleep training? 

Parenting is amazing, but it can bring its own struggles. You don't want to sleep train but want your baby on a routine. This is often asked in my Facebook groups and consultant groups, and the answer is yes, it's completely possible. 

The Breakdown

Let's go over what you can adjust without causing much disruption. First off, newborns sleep a lot, 16-18 hours in 24hours, but some are awake longer, so look at your baby's natural wake-up and then pick that time for the day to wake. 

If your baby is waking at 6 am and consistent, I suggest you continue that awake time every day. What this does will keep you on a predictable daily routine. Wake windows for newborn to 6-weeks are 45-60 minutes from when you take the baby out of the crib/cot. 

What if your baby isn't napping long?

Here are some things to do if the baby doesn't want to nap in their crib/cot. You can start their nap in the crib, but the baby only naps 20-30 minutes. If this is your baby, I would suggest helping them connect sleep cycles by holding, taking a walk outside in the stroller laying flat on their back "ABC Of Safe Sleep."  You can also babywear if your baby sleeps safely on you. 

Is your baby 4-6 months old?

If so, your wake window is 90-120 minutes. Follow the same advice as above and find out what your baby's natural wake-up is daily and implement that wake-up every day at the same time. Let's say 7:30 am is when he/she wakes for the day. You can start watching for tired signs about 90-120 minutes after waking in the crib/cot. 

Here are some other areas to adjust:

• Newborn-12 weeks swaddle
• 12-16 months sleepsuit
• Blackout curtains
• Sound machine 
• Slumber pod- discount code [SLEEPSECRETS20]

If your baby isn't one to want to sleep at times you think, then observe their body:

• Early sleepy cues: 
  • Staring blankly into space
  • Eyebrows going red
  • Fluttering eyelids
  • Eyes looking away
  • Turning head 
  
  Late sleepy cues:
  • Pulling ears
  • Yawning
  • Becoming fussy
  • Jerky arm and leg movements
  
  Overtired sleepy cues:
  • Arching back
  • Becoming rigid 
  • Making fists
  • Crying hysterically

For more information or if you would like a 1-hour strategy call, please go to [email protected].