Life definitely changes once a baby is on board, and there's nothing more interesting and exciting than your precious little bundle of joy. This section will answer many of your pressing parenting questions and hopefully help make life easier and more fun for you and your baby.
Hooray! Baby's Here. Now What?
- > Breast Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding
- > How to Make Breast Feeding Work
- > Essential Baby Items for Newborns
- > How Much Sleep Do Babies Need?
- > Signs of Postpartum Depression
- > Good Tips for Baby Immunizations
- > Fun Tips on How to Bond with Your Baby
Baby Safety
Being "Baby" Prepared
Behavior & Developmental Challenges
- > You Can Calm a Fussy Baby - Find Out How
- > Does My Baby Have Colic?
- > How to Identify a Growth Spurt
- > Is your Baby Teething? How You Can Help
- > Ways to Encourage Crawling
- > Ways to Help your Baby Sleep Well
Baby Health Issues & What to Do
- > Diaper Rash Remedies & Prevention
- > Help Your Constipated Baby Feel Better
- > Treatments for Cradle Cap
- > How to Help a Choking Baby
Developmental Milestones & Solid Foods
Ways to Help your Baby Sleep Well
If your baby gets a good night sleep, then you get a good night sleep! Sounds great doesn't it, but unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way. If you find that your little one is having some issues in the "dream department" then you might want to try some of the suggestions below to help him sleep better.
- Keep Baby on a Sleep Schedule - Make sure that you keep your baby on a regulated sleep scheduling. Keep nap time and night-night time the same every day and your baby will sleep better. He'll get used to the schedule and understand that it's time to sleep.
- Effective Lighting - Make sure to put a few different types of lights in the nursery. Have a bright over head light that is used for play time. Have a dimmer light that you use for night feedings so your baby stays sleepy enough to fall back to sleep after he eats. Use a nightlight when tucking your baby in for a nap or at bedtime.
- Music and Singing - Sometimes playing soft music at Baby's bedtime, like a music box or soft stereo can help a baby fall asleep. Also, singing your baby a lullaby can help as well. If you can't carry a tune, don't worry, your baby won't care. He'll just enjoy the special attention.
- Avoid Over-Stimulation at Bed Time - Talk calmly and rock your baby slowly at bedtime. Avoid playing when it's close to nap time or bed time.
- Swaddle your Baby - If you use a swaddle blanket and wrap your baby snuggly then it will help him fall asleep easier. This is done to mimic the mother's womb.
- Meals Before Naps - Make sure that your baby has a full tummy before laying him down for a nap or bedtime. Hunger pains can wake a baby.
- Use a Co-Sleeper - Place your baby by your bedside at night using a co-sleeper. (crib that can be attached to the bedside) Your baby will feel more secure if he can see you as he's drifting off to sleep.
- Burp Baby Before Bed - Make sure that you burp your baby before putting him in for a nap or at bedtime. If a baby has gas, it will get more painful if you lay him down, disrupting his sleep.
- Don't Rock to Sleep - Don't rock your baby to sleep because then your baby will only be able to fall asleep in your arms. Your baby needs to learn to fall asleep on his own.
