1. Limit your baby’s awake time in-between naps
Believe it or not, it is the awake time and not the sleep time that
drives healthy sleep patterns. An over-tired, over-stimulated baby
will struggle to fall asleep without extensive assistance, such as
being fed or rocked to sleep. A baby who is calm and sleepy will fall
asleep with ease and with little intervention.
2. Understand your baby’s signals
A lot of the time, an over-stimulated baby will show signs of
tiredness and sensory overload. These signals, such as irritability,
pulling up their legs, fisting their hands, yawning, sneezing and
hiccupping, are often incorrectly attributed to winds and cramps.
The caregiver then spends much time fiddling with the baby,
trying to break wind, checking for a dirty nappy and so on – all
of which continue to over-stimulate baby, resulting in ongoing
fussy behaviour.
3. Have a consistent sleep zone
Having a consistent and calming sleep zone will ensure that your
baby is able to fall asleep without resistance. This is especially so for
older babies, who need a consistent and unstimulating sleep space
in order to regulate themselves sufficiently to become calm so that
sleep can follow.
4. The importance of routine
Children, especially toddlers, thrive on routine. A flexible routine is
important to ensure a healthy balance between sufficient play and
stimulation with quiet and calm time. Day-time naps are still
important until well into the toddler years.
5. Early to bed
Children should, ideally, be in bed and asleep by 19:00 every night.
Depending on