Tips on settling your young infant.
Sleeping
can be a learned behaviour, and until you teach your infant what is expected,
s/he may suffer from sleep deprivation. This results in her/him feeling
miserable and being unsettled and irritable. The following suggestions
may be helpful.
1. Offer a full and effective feed. Remember, if your baby comes to the breast well rested and 2 – 3 hours since the last feed s/he will feed more effectively. Ensure baby does not fall asleep at breast by observing for the signs of nutritive and non-nutritive feeding. Be suspicious of feeding that lasts longer than 10 to 15 minutes per breast. Prolonged feeding is unnecessary but effective nutritive feeding is necessary.
2. After feeding, offer your baby a playtime on the floor. Nappies off encourages movement and exercise of legs and airs the bottom. Use visual stimulation, books, and coloured toys such as play gym. Exercise on tummy is good for winding, and strengthens muscles in the neck, shoulders, arms, and legs. Baby should be up for maximum 60 minutes only, including feeding, winding, changing, and playing.
3. When the hour is up, or baby shows tired signs (e.g. yawning, grizzling, jerky movements, or clenched fists), quickly put baby to bed. Some babies prefer to be wrapped up, especially when under 6 weeks of age. This makes them feel more secure.
If baby cries when put to bed, try a few minutes of gentle rocking or patting - don't rock to sleep - just soothe and calm baby so s/he learns to self-settle.
A
sensible guideline under 3 months of age:
Up one hour, asleep two hours.
Artwork
by James, aged 4.