Tips from Chireal Shallow on how to get your baby to sleep. Do you agree with her methods? You can post a comment at the bottom of this article.
1. Forget standardised rigid routines; instead build a routine that works for your family based on your personal culture, commitments and lifestyle.
2. Be emotionally available for your child. We all pick up on tension around us, ensure that your child is in a calm state before bed by trying to relax and calm yourselves.
3. Be consistent: this may not always mean behaving in the same way all the time; at times you may need to be flexible and responsive to your child. The key here is to send the same message.
4. Signpost bedtime with visual cues so your child knows what is happening and when and what to do when they start to see each sign. (Pack away toys, dim lights, turn off TV...)
5. Help your child to feel relaxed and safe in their room. Think about how often they are spending time in their room and increase it if need be.
6. Ensure the room is the right temperature: warm in the winter; cool and moist in the summer.
7. Build your child's trust by initially staying with them in the room as they fall asleep.
8. Think about the light in your child's room: if it's too dark they may get anxious, use a small night light so they can see something familiar.
9. Leave pieces of you behind in their room, (a picture of you and / or your family members). This helps your child feel as though they are not alone. By grounding your children in sight, sound and smell they will feel as though you are with them all night.
10. Use your tools for getting your child to sleep functionally: if you rock only rock while your child is crying or upset. Stop when they are calm.
11. Try not to bring your child into other rooms at night or other places: try to remain their sleeping space.
12. Comfort your child and meet their needs first. Prepare and have all your medication and / or bottles on a tray prior to bedtime.
13. Help your child de-sensitise from external sound by placing sound in their room, walking around the room.
14. Use lavender sparingly: too much can make children more alert. Try a mixture of jasmine, sandalwood and lavender for the perfect sleep combination.
15. TV, computers and exercise (playing) should be avoided at least an hour before bed.
16. Don't forget to reward yourself: you deserve it!
From Chireal Shallow.
