Babies : Sleep

Getting your baby to sleep soundly (and somewhat consistently) can be one of the biggest challenges for new parents. Understanding how to create a healthy sleep environment and routine is essential. Below is some valuable baby sleep routine help and tools that can help you navigate this journey.

The Importance of a Baby Sleep Routine - Your Newborn Sleep Schedule:

Establishing a consistent newborn sleep schedule is crucial for your baby's development. Babies thrive on routine, and having a set bedtime can help them feel secure. To get started, try to identify a regular time for naps and nighttime sleep. 🌙

Understanding Baby Sleep Patterns - Baby Sleep Routine Help:

Up until 3 months, your babies newborn sleep schedule will likely be a little unsettled (coming Earthside is kind of a big deal 🌍). Although they will be sleeping around 15 hours a day, including naps it may feel a little chaotic. Remember too that every baby is different - you might be lucky and have a long sleeper or one who cries through the night. While working on sleep routines and self-soothing, it’s okay to have occasional nights where you soothe your baby in your arms. Routine is important, so try not to disrupt their schedule too often.

By 4 months, they may start developing a more regular sleep pattern and drop some night feeds. You can begin introducing gentle sleep training techniques if you wish.

Around 6 months, many babies start sleeping through the night (midnight to 5 am) with two or three daytime naps. If your baby isn’t sleeping through yet, don’t worry—it’s normal for some to still wake for feeds. If you’re exhausted and want to begin night weaning, start off gradually, as your baby will still be looking for comfort and reassurance.

As your baby approaches 9-12 months, they’ll settle into sleep cycles that work for your family. Expect some sleep disturbances during this time due to cognitive and motor development milestones, as well as possible separation anxiety. Full night weaning may also begin, so your baby might wake up expecting feeds.

If unsure about your baby’s sleep patterns and need relief from exhaustion, please consult your healthcare provider for guidance who may suggest a sleep training app or some other method to help you through this phase.

Where Should Your Baby Sleep?

Deciding where your baby sleeps depends on what’s best for your family. Some babies need closeness, especially during periods of separation anxiety. Early implementation of good sleep patterns is essential for developing a positive sleep attitude.

Co-sleeping, when done safely, can be beneficial. This involves sharing a sleep environment, allowing you to comfort your baby more easily. We must note that experts recommend against co-sleeping in the same bed due to safety risks of suffocation/squashing. A separate cot or bassinet in your room is a much safer alternative.

Ultimately, you should choose a sleep arrangement that feels right for you and your family, whether that’s sharing a room initially or having them in their own space from the start. - you do you Mama ❤

Baby Sleep App - How to track Baby Sleep

A common issue that new parents have is figuring out how to track baby sleep.  Of course you can go old school with pen and paper, but a much easier way is using a baby sleep app. A newborn sleep tracker app can help you track their nightly sleep patterns as well as act as a baby nap tracker, making it easier to see what works and what doesn’t. 

What is the best sleep app for babies? - Newborn Sleep Tracker App or Baby Nap Tracker:  

The best apps for baby sleep tracking will have features that allow you to log sleep times, duration, wake-ups and mood. 

For those seeking additional baby sleep routine help, consider checking out our baby sleep app of choice - ‘The Phoenix Diary App’ the baby tracking App Australian made. This is a Baby app for feeding and sleep. This app is specifically designed to assist parents in tracking their baby’s sleep, making it easier to establish and capture information towards maintaining healthy sleep habits. As well as recording sleep, it is also a Baby feeding log app. You can also record baths, nappy changes plus so much more.  It’s such a fantastic way to record and track all of the important activities to keep it all in one place and organised.  Having all of the information to hand is a huge help when you are attending doctors and hospital appointments, monitoring your baby's progress. The app is for IOS on the App Store.

 

Final Thoughts

Navigating your baby’s sleep can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and strategies, it doesn’t have to be. From using a baby sleep app to understanding baby sleep routine tips, you can set your little one up for success. Embrace the journey and remember that every baby is unique—what works for one might not work for another. For those of you who like it old school, The Phoenix Diary comes in a book format. Making life a little easier one product at a time.