Recently I attended a conference about the aptness of Baby Sleep Consultancies and would like to share what I gleaned from the experience with you in this blog post.

Settle your baby to sleep in a dark room with white noise. White noise mimics the noises babies would have heard in the womb so it is very comforting and can also help your baby to fall asleep by drowning out background noise. Put baby in a cot, crib or Moses basket to sleep. Never fall asleep with baby on a sofa or chair; this can increase the risk of death by 50%. Some parents say sleep training has helped them and their baby both sleep better during the night. However the long-term effects of sleep training are not well researched. Some experts do have concerns about it and do not recommend doing it, particularly for babies under 12 months. If your baby has reflux then try to keep them upright for 20-30 minutes after a feed before settling them to sleep. For months, you’ve likely woken up several times a night to feed your little one. Night weaning is making sure your baby is eating their meals during the day, so that they don’t have to wake up to eat in the middle of the night anymore. Feed and wind your baby to make sure that they are full and comfortable. Wind pain is often worse when lying down.



With so many products on the market, it can be easy to get confused about what babies should sleep in or on. Remember, the safest mattresses for your baby are firm and flat and protected by a waterproof cover. Night waking is important as it helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sharing a room with baby helps baby wake during the night. It also helps when breastfeeding as the milk supply is developed by feeds placed between midnight and 4.00am. The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first six months. A Moses basket or cot is a safe place for a baby to sleep. Along with streamlining your bedtime routine, take stock of your sleep environment. Is your bedroom a relaxing place you actually want to fall asleep in? Keep clutter, exercise bikes, unfolded laundry, and that stack of bills out of the bedroom. These are distracting to a good night’s sleep for baby. Whether its something specific like sleep training or really anything baby sleep related, a baby sleep consultant can guide you to find a sleep solution as individual as your baby is.

Wait Out Those Whimpers

Focus on figuring out how your newborn likes to sleep. As long as they are not able to flip over, swaddling is generally considered safe, although you should always check with your pediatrician to make sure they recommend it for your child. Going to bed early is easier said than done, especially when you have a newborn and you still have washing, ironing and other household jobs to do. Everyone says ‘nap when your baby naps’ but for some people, this just doesn’t happen. You should use a firm and flat mattress for baby that is protected by a waterproof cover. This will help keep the mattress clean and dry, as the cover can be wiped down. Make sure your baby’s mattress is in good condition and that it fits the Moses basket or cot properly. You want your babies to get used to sleeping through the phone ringing, the dog barking, and other normal daytime household noise. Remember, the babies need to adapt to the family’s lifestyle, not the other way around. Parents are also encouraged to check in on their baby regularly to make sure they aren’t too hot or cold. Monitor your baby’s temperature by gently placing a hand on the back of their neck. If it feels at all damp, or warmer than usual, consider removing layers to cool them down. When using a thermometer, place beneath your baby’s armpit and gently, but firmly hold their arm down to get a more accurate reading. There are multiple approaches to 4 month sleep regression and a sleep expert will help you choose one that is right for you and your family.

If you haven’t already started a bedtime routine now is a good time to begin. This routine should include a bath as this helps to prepare the body for sleep. Keep bath-time short and don’t be tempted to indulge in noisy splashing games as this will only help to stimulate your baby. Start giving you infant’s brain some signals an hour before bedtime - dim lights, soft white noise, no roughhousing, no TV - that sleepy-time is coming. Babies grow quickly in the early months and they have very small stomachs. This means they need to feed little and often. As your baby grows, they’ll gradually start to need fewer night feeds and will sleep for longer at night. As the months pass, your infant is getting more and more interested in the world. And that nosiness means that she’s much more likely to pop awake from any little distraction (outside sounds, bright light from the hallway, teething discomfort, a little gas, etc.). And if her room is totally quiet, she’ll fill that silence with a yell for you to come cuddle her or to play. These middle-of-the-night wakings are especially common after you take away the comforting snuggle of the swaddling blanket. Choose heavy curtains for your baby’s room that not only block out the light but can also muffle sounds coming from outside so your baby won’t necessarily be aware it is light and the birds are singing at 5am. If you're looking for a compassionate, effective and evidence-based approach to sleep or just advice on one thing like sleep regression then a baby sleep specialist will be able to help you.

Keeping Safe At Night

Studies have shown what you probably already know: Well-rested parents are better able to help their babies regulate themselves. If you're exhausted, it will be that much harder to get your baby to calm down. Babies who have consistent nap routines during the day are more likely to sleep longer stretches at night. Most babies tend to be lulled to sleep when they travel in a car, train or plane. They may nod off regularly on a long journey and sleep more than usual. That might mean they’re not as sleepy at their usual bedtime and you may struggle to get them to sleep. A different environment from what they’re used to at home may also be unsettling. Although many parents find that their babies sleep well in co-sleepers, swings, “nests” to be used in beds, cots, and rockers, the general consensus is that these are not safe when used without direct supervision; in certain circumstances, however, parents may find that their pediatrician approves their use. It sounds a bit mad, but a gentle stroking motion – downwards from between the eyes – can relax them and encourage baby to close their eyes. A sleep expert will be with you every step of the way, guiding you on how best to find a solution to your sleep concerns, whether its gentle sleep training or one of an untold number of other things.

Sleep regression is a period of time, usually about two to four weeks, when a baby who’s sleeping well suddenly has trouble settling down for sleep or wakes up fussing in the middle of the night. Teach your new baby good, easy to do sleep cues and to avoid accidentally getting her hooked on labor-intensive cues (like always being rocked to sleep). Contrary to the opinion of most experts, babies can be trained to sleep better in the first weeks of life. Keeping your baby awake during the day will not help them sleep better at night. If your baby is overtired it is much harder for them to get to sleep. Contact napping, where your baby falls asleep on you, is normal and fine when there is someone else with you who can make sure you don’t fall asleep too. Then when you go to bed, take them with you. This means you can respond quickly when they stir, and also means that you don’t need to worry about them. It’s just wrong to tell parents and caregivers not to cuddle their babies to sleep. There is nothing more beautiful than rocking your sleeping precious in your arms! You’re not spoiling your baby when you do this, you’re teaching her that you love her and she can depend on you. So feel free to caress and carry your sleeping baby for as many hours as you like; you will truly grieve the loss of this sacred intimacy once these months are over. Sleep consultants support hundreds of families every year, assisting with things such as ferber method using gentle, tailored methods.

Daytime Sleepiness

Nestle next to your baby and breastfeed or bottle-feed him off to sleep. The smooth continuum from a warm bath, to warm arms, to warm breast, to warm bed is a recipe for sleep to soon follow. Starting baby’s bedtime routine with plenty of time before the desired bedtime will help ensure you don’t miss their sleep window. Sleepy cues - yawning, rubbing their eyes, fussing or having a dazed look - can offer some help in determining when baby is ready for bed, especially for infants who don’t yet have timed schedules. If you like to sleep on your right side, chances are, your baby will too. So try the right side; if he is cranky, try the other side. What about trying a different blanket? Some babies will sleep only on their stomachs, despite the “back to sleep” campaign. You can check out further details relating to Baby Sleep Consultancies in this NHS web page.

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