Sweet Deams Just a Dream?

By Jacqui Munro @ http://madewithlovenaturally.co.uk/
A sleepless, restless baby means sleepless, restless nights for parents. Parenting is tough enough and this is just another hurdle that we have to face. A baby who has poor sleeping patterns can cause as much frustration for little ones as for parents. An ongoing problem can even cause relationship and bonding difficulties. Before six weeks old, our little girl was sleeping through. At ten months old, she began waking three to six times a night, consistently. Sleep deprivation is used as a method of torture for a reason. While none of us would ever liken our labours of love to torture, sleep deprivation, even in its mildest form, and disrupted sleep is a concrete reality for many parents. Not only does it effect us psychologically and physically, it also takes its toll on our little ones. Rest assured, there is help, one just needs to know where to find it.Below is a checklist that parents need to work through in order to understand why baby is not sleeping or waking during the night:Is your baby well?
Poorly babies have difficulty sleeping. They may be hurting, uncomfortable, feverish, experiencing difficulty in breathing due to stuffy noses or teething as was the case with our little one’s bout of insomnia.Is your baby well fed and are her nutritional needs being met?
Perhaps your little one has fed badly during the day or is not feeling full for long enough after meals. Rule out hunger as a reason for night waking.Is your baby comfortable?
Scratchy bed linen, a clothing label in the back of the neck, a dirty nappy, being too hot or too cold and having a room too dark or too light can prevent baby from falling asleep. Does your baby have a good day sleep routine?
Over tired babies just will not sleep well at night. Too much activity and over-excitement during the day can also keep babies awake at night.Are you spending good quality time with your baby during the day?
Babies and toddlers who don’t spend enough time with parents, especially mum, during the day, may be suffering from separation anxiety and simply be too scared to fall asleep for fear of being away from you. Secure babies are easier to settle and get to sleep.Has your baby developed an attachment to a security object?
A blanky, dummy or special stuffed toy to self soothe baby in the middle of the night. All babies need this.Finally, does your baby have a fixed bed time routine?
Babies are more relaxed when they know what’s coming next. Bedtime routines are as personal and customisable as any other routine in any household. They need to be established based on what is best suited to you and yours. Whatever your unique routine may be, it is crucial to stick to it, even when not at home, keeping to baby’s routine will help her settle easier in unfamiliar surroundings. If all the possible causes of baby not sleeping have been ruled out, not all hope is lost. There are a number of natural sleep-inducing tactics that you can take advantage of. Bath-time is a fun time for baby and parents. Often a time for baby to release some pent up energy by splashing and playing in the tub. The warm water soothes little ones and makes them feel safe, associating bath-time with being in the womb. It helps to use an all-natural soap or body wash that contains calming ingredients, such as lavender and chamomile. You can also add a few drops of lavender and/or chamomile essential oil to baby’s bath water. A drop or two will do as baby’s skin can be sensitive. An after bath massage with baby massage oil or lotion with lavender and chamomile can work wonders to settle an excited baby. Also a great mommy-and-me time to reinforce that special bond.Jammies are also important. The clothes that baby gets put to bed in can also determine how baby sleeps. Baby’s sleepwear should be soft on her delicate skin, freshly laundered and free from anything that could make her feel uncomfortable. Nightclothes should also be loose-fitting, but not too loose to avoid getting tangled in them, breathable and not be too hot or too cold. Organic cotton and bamboo fabrics make for preferred baby sleeping gear. As with baby’s pajamas, bed linen should also be soft, fresh and comfortable. Some parents enjoy reading baby a bedtime story or playing soft music while baby drifts off. These however can establish habits that baby becomes dependent on to fall asleep. It may help to have a humidifier in the room so that the air stays moist and fresh. If your little one has a stuffy nose adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the humidifier water. Adding lavender or chamomile essential oil to a humidifier or oil burner can also help to ease your little one into restful sleep. It is important that babies and toddlers feel secure at bedtime. Give them a cuddle before putting them down. Bedtime bottles or breast-feeding also help little ones feel content. Try making up baby’s formula with some chamomile or Rooibos (Red Bush) tea instead of just water. This is particularly helpful for colicky babies, it helps to settle them and soothe sore tummies. Giving baby a dummy together with a security object or either alone from very early on, not only teaches little ones the art of self-soothing, but they also relate sleepy time to these things. Evidence from several studies demonstrate that babies who learn to self-soothe early on in life, become better psychologically equipped to manage stress in adulthood.Ensure that the room is dark, this also helps babies to distinguish the difference between day and night. If your baby wakes during the night, don’t leave her for longer than five minutes. She may just be missing you or having bad dreams. It is important that your baby knows that you are there. As difficult as it may be try not picking you baby up at first. A gentle back rub or hair stroking may be enough to settle her back to sleep. If you do pick her up, be sure to stay in the dark room and try not to talk to her. Lying with her may also help. Your baby will soon slip into a routine that allows the whole family to get a good night’s sleep.Sweet dreams!Live. Love. Naturally.@JacquiMunro