It's all in the routine
Establish a bedtime routine of bath, story, feed and bed from the very start. It’ll pay dividends in the months to come.
Feed during the day
Aim to give your baby most of her milk feeds during the day, so she doesn’t make up for it at night (and end up waking for cuddles, too!).
Encourage napping
Consistent daytime naps can help your baby sleep better at night-time: don’t be tempted to skip a nap in the hope she’ll fall asleep more quickly at bedtime.
Follow a daytime routine
If your baby is always rocked, fed or cuddled to sleep, then she will usually need you to help her when she wakes at night. To help her learn to fall asleep by herself, put her down when she is sleepy but still awake. Try doing so 15 minutes before her usual nap time.
Try this:
The baby sleep book: how to help your baby to sleep and have a restful night, by Dr William Sears and Martha Sears. The title says it all! £7.14
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Tesco my baby’s range includes gentle top-to-toe wash, moisturising lotion and other goodies to calm you and your little one. From £1.04.
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Fisher-Price Rainforest Peek-A-Boo Waterfall Soother. Soft lights and sounds plus a soothing waterfall action – a lovely way to help your baby doze off. £24.96
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Pampers Baby-Dry with Extra Sleep-Layer. These nappies provide your baby with unbeatable dryness for up to 12 hours of sleep. £5.98 for 36 (16p per nappy).
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Tisserand Lavender Pure Essential Oil Lavender is known for its soothing, calming properties. Put a few drops in your bath or on your pillow. £7.73 for 20ml (£38.65/100ml).
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Don't disturb your baby
Don’t bring your baby downstairs into the exciting evening world once you’ve put her down.
Let her try to go back to sleep
Give your baby a chance to send himself back to sleep if she grumbles at night. Wait until she ramps it up before you go in to see her. Stroke her forehead, if that helps to soothe her, but try not to pick her up and don’t talk other than to say “Shhh”. Only change her nappy if you have to.
Regulate the light
Fit blackout lining to curtains to keep bright early morning light out.
Introduce a comforter
Try introducing a comforter. This will act as a transitional object to help her feel secure when you’re not around. It could be a cuddly toy (make sure it’s safe for a young baby), muslin square or baby blanket – just make sure you have two for when one is in the wash!
Use music
Play a lullaby tape or a CD of nature sounds at nap times. Use it again if your baby wakes up in the night, so you can all get your rest.
Don't forget about you!
If you can’t sleep when you do get the chance, put a lavender-scented tissue under your pillow and have a snack that includes bananas or turkey slices: they contain tryptophan, which increases serotonin levels and helps aid sleep.
