Sleeping Tips

My Baby Week 9

Can you believe it has been two whole months since you brought your baby home from the hospital? If you haven’t already, it is very possible that you will hear your child’s first laugh this week. You may hear a giggle or a squeal after a quick tickle or even after you smile hello to them in the morning.

How is your baby sleeping?

There are a few important tips you will want to follow when putting your baby to sleep:
* Make sure your infant is sleeping in a safe, comfortable space. This means she should be lying down on her back with enough clothing to keep her warm but not overheat.
* Be sure no dangerous objects are by her face, like toys, pillows or thick bumper pads that could mold to the shape of her face and impair her breathing.
* Follow a ritual at bedtime. Take a warm bath followed by feeding. Then, rocking and snuggling, singing or reading – these are all bonding times for mother and baby.
* 9 week old babies are still too young for the Ferber Method. This method teaches parents to let infants and toddlers cry for progressively longer periods until they accept a sleeping arrangement, and it is not recommended until babies are about 6 months of age.

If you are having any trouble putting your baby to sleep, you may want to see if the following tips work for you:
1. Let her get sleepy
2. Place her in the crib just as she is about to fall asleep.
3. If she is tired enough, she will fall asleep and wake up in her crib, associating her crib with comfortable sleep and not your arms
4. If you place her in her crib and she immediately wakes up, don’t give up! Being persistent will pay off.
5. If your baby does not fall asleep right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can stand at the crib and rub her chest or tummy to put her to sleep.
6. After 2-3 weeks, move your chair a short distance away from your infant sleep crib, so the baby can see you. You have to continue the rituals, including talking, reading and singing for your baby.