Baby sleep tips

It’s 2 a.m. and you’re bleary-eyed and exhausted, but your 7-week-old thinks it’s time to get up. You’ve rocked him, you’ve walked him, you’ve laid him in his crib and left the room, but he is still wide-awake.

When it comes to sleep, the only thing that’s predictable about babies is that they are very unpredictable. One night, they might give you six straight hours of sleep and the next night, they are up every two hours.

Here are a few suggestions to help your baby sleep:

• Like adults, babies sleep better when the room is a little cooler. The optimal temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees. You can either lower the temperature in the whole house or turn on a fan in the baby’s room – just don’t point it directly at the baby.
• Your baby has been in your belly for nine months listening to the sounds around you; therefore, a little noise might help comfort him. Consider buying a white noise machine or playing soft music; however, sometimes the sound of a fan is just enough.
• It’s always a good idea to feed your baby before bedtime so he doesn’t wake up hungry in the middle of the night. If your baby’s bedtime is between feedings, give him an extra ounce or two to make sure his belly is full before going to sleep.
• When you’re up with your baby in the middle of the night, keep the lights as low as possible. Exposing your baby to minimal light will help calm your baby and make it easier for him to fall back asleep. Consider installing a dimmer switch or a very low-watt light bulb in the nursery.
• Skip the diaper change in the middle of the night unless your baby is very wet or has sensitive skin. Nothing wakes up a warm, sleepy baby like being undressed and taken out of his nice, cozy SleepSack for a diaper change.

Recommended review by a pediatrician