Get your baby to sleep longer and more frequently!
We know how you feel!
So here we are! You really aren't alone, as you can see in this photo we are pretty tired especially my hubby just look at those poor eyes struggling to just be open! This is the first day or two home with our beautiful son. After the exhausting experience of birth and LONG 20 something hour labor length we were pretty pooped. As we became accustom to being new parents we learned that there were so many little things to do to help our little man sleep better, longer and more comfortably! So keep on reading as I share some tips with ya!:) 
Create Routine & Bedtime AmbianceBaby's love routine! It makes them feel safe and secure when they know what to expect next, this can make for a baby that sleeps great and is content during wake time hours. More on this below.
Create and Follow A Routine everyday and bedtime will become significantly easier. Your child will know that these cues mean bedtime is soon. Its very important to create a variety of sleep associations so your child doesn't become dependent on any one thing (Ex; being nursed to sleep every night). You will notice that not only does your baby sleep better but they are also less whinny and generally happier.
- Dim Lights
- Toy Cleanup
- Warm bath
- Good Nights To Everyone
- A story or familiar song
- A rock in the chair
- Have your child get his/her teddy or blanket
- Infant Massage
Watch out for the "cry it out" sleep training. If this is done on too young a child this can lead to sleep anxiety causing not only problems for baby but you as well. When this method is used to young a baby learns to fear going to sleep and staying asleep. Your baby needs you to parent them to sleep not just simply put to sleep. Following this rigid "Cry It Out" plan especially, the first 6 months of life can be detrimental to not only the baby but to you as well. You lose the ability to learn your baby's cues and needs. You lose the ability to learn how to find a nighttime parenting style that fits you and your child. Baby loses the opportunity to build trust in his care giving environment. This may even cause you and your doctor to overlook a medical issue that may be going on.Why not value your own biological cues, your judgment, instead of following the message of someone who has no biological attachment, nor investment, in your infant?
- White Noise (Ex; Ceiling Fan, Vacuum, White Noise Machine, Air Purifier)
- Soothing Music
- Is it too quiet? Many people think that a babies need complete silence to sleep but think about the fact that our baby was in our womb for 9 months and the last thing it is in there is quiet! Babies like familiarity so a little sound may not be such a bad idea. Why not give it a try?
- Okay its not a sound but its something to consider:
Keep sunlight out: Babies seem to be a lot like roosters when that sun is up and shinning!
When I was younger I didn't understand why they "straight jacketed" babies, LOL! Not to worry, I get it now and I am sharing what I have learned over the years about swaddling .
Swaddling your baby and doing it correctly may be your saving grace. Swaddling has many benefits and most babies sure do love it! Here you will begin to understand how swaddling can help baby sleep longer. .
- Security: It recreates the hold of the womb making baby feel secure and at home.
- Helps Jerk Reflex: Prevents baby from starting themselves with there jerky arm movements.
- Warmth: Keeps baby nice and warm
Swaddle Time
Miracle Blanket – Baby Swaddling Blanket – Blue
Amazon Price: $29.90 (as of 01/02/2010) 
Loving Baby Swaddle Blanket, "The Perfect Swaddle!", Calming Blue
Amazon Price: $24.19 (as of 01/02/2010)
Kiddopotamus & Co Double Velboa SwaddleMe® Traveler For Use With Harness Systems Ivory - 7 to 14 pounds
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Miracle Blanket Beige with Green Trim
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 01/02/2010)
Ja*lu Swaddle Blanket - Chocolate
Amazon Price: $60.00 (as of 01/02/2010)
Books That Can Offer A Plether Of help
Reading is knowledge
Sleep Solutions (The Calming Collection)
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 01/02/2010)
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 01/02/2010)
Delta Sleep Solution: Sleepy Rain
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 01/02/2010)
Just a few ideas about your baby's sleeping situation
- Are you co-sleeping? This may help if your not and trying to sleep seperate if you are may also be a solution. While most babies seem to like to sleep close to mum there still are the ones that like their space.
- Is the bed to soft/hard?
- Is baby too warm/cold?
- Is baby in a crib or hammock style bed that recreates the womb?
Amby Baby Motion Bed
Helping your baby sleep better, longer
Baby Hammock Motion Bed Set - Blue
Finally, a solution for your fussy baby! The Amby Baby Motion Bed helps babies and parents get the sleep they need with it's womb-like design and gentle motion that babies love. Endorsed by Dr. Sears, the Amby Baby beds are specially helpful for babies with reflux(GER), colic and even preemies.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Baby Hammock Motion Bed Set -Natural
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Note to Self
GET ME AN AMBY BED!
More on Amby Bed
- Read More About Amby Baby's Features
- Get your questions answered here and see how Amby can help you!
"Amby helped my Colicky daughter! Don't know what I would have done without it!
-Christina"
Hushamok A Modern
More Of A Modern Stylish Look
Hushamok Experience Baby Hammock - Green
The next generation in baby furniture.
hushamok%u2122 is the ideal sleeping environment for your baby, providing you with the safety your baby requires without sacrificing style.
hushamok%u2122 is available in a variety of stylish colors, and its unique design is a welcome addition to any room in the home. The versatility of hushamok%u2122 not only provides a sturdy anchor for the safety of your baby, but is also a fashionable design addition that complements any style decor. hushamok%u2122 is durable, lightweight and portable, making it ideal for around the home or packed for travel.
hushamok%u2122 also guards against potentially serious health concerns that can arise during baby's sleep. The innovative design of hushamok%u2122 enables baby to sleep soundly on their backs, which is a key recommendation in the prevention of SIDs. hushamok%u2122 creates a restful and nurturing sleep environment, and is designed to reduce the incidence of flat head syndrome.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
The Knock Offs
Save some $$ on a less known brand
MamaLittleHelper Baby Hammock Motion Bed Cradle - WHITE
* The SLEEP SOLUTION for babies!
* MamaLittleHelper helps your baby sleep & helps with reflux.
* MamaLittleHelper makes it affordable now to own a Baby Hammock, why pay more for the same?
* A sleepless night is like a year...
* When your baby is sleeping, SO ARE YOU!!!
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Share Your Feelings With Others
A little laughter goes a long way...
My Parents Are Exhausted Infant Bodysuit
Price: 21.98
Super Tired Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
Shirt Reads:
Super Mom
Super Wife
Super Woman
Super Tired
Price: 24.99
Tell us how this helped you!
Lets hear it!
Here you can share your stories of being a tired or not so tired parent and how you benefited from some of these tips. If you have any other tips, please by all means share with us.
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- KristenFR KristenFR Oct 1, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
- This is so on-target! I would only differ in that many moms I know have found that the Ferber method of sleep training is really useful. And it isn't a "cry-it-out" method per se. You go in at ever-increasing intervals so you baby doesn't feel abandoned. I wrote up my own tips for helping babies sleep - I'd love some feedback http://www.squidoo.com/baby2sleep. It's my first try at this sort of thing and I gave it a lot of thought.
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- sandyspider sandyspider Aug 5, 2009 @ 1:50 am
- Great resource of information. Wish I had this when my daughter was a baby.
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- 24websurf 24websurf May 3, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
- A wealth of info! Thank you!
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- NaturalMommys NaturalMommys May 3, 2009 @ 5:47 pm | in reply to ChineseKitesforKids
- funny you should say that because I have some things too add surrounding that, just as soon as I get a moment! Thanks for the great advice and feedback.
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Reply
- ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids May 3, 2009 @ 10:48 am
- I agree with Evelyn, "you have to sleep when the baby sleeps" or prepare to be very tired and irriatable.
On this same sleepy note I think you should add in something about babies sleeping with COLDS too. I have a three month old in my daycare who has been sick since he was born. Terrible cold, always congested and there are particular ways he has to sleep in order for him to breath. Just a suggestion. Lovely lens. Babies are so beautiful. Just precious gifts from God and when I see parents writing lenses to improve their lives (in any way) it's so touching to the soul. Thank you for this lens and thank you for caring about God's children.
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