Walking away from your baby once they’re asleep in their crib can be difficult. Fear for their safety or that they’ll wake up as soon as you leave the room can rob you of your sanity over time.
Read about how to create a good sleep environment for your baby and have confidence when it’s time for your baby to sleep.
Light
Babies sleep best in completely dark rooms. Your baby is used to a very dark womb, so the more closely you can recreate the same atmosphere for them, the better—they’ll feel safe and comforted in a similar environment. If you can hold your hand out in front of you and still see it, there’s too much light.
Hold off on night lights until they’re well into toddlerhood. By age two or three, they may begin to be afraid of the dark, but until then, the darkness will comfort your baby.
Noise
White noise can block out any unsolicited noise that may awake your baby. If you have other kids or simply need to shower, white noise may be your saving grace.
Keep a stationary white noise machine in the baby’s room, and invest in a second, portable white noise machine that you can attach to the diaper bag. This may help your baby sleep when you’re in a public setting or even in the car.
Swaddle
What’s the average temperature in your home? If you prefer a warmer temperature, choose thinner muslins and swaddles for your baby. If you prefer it on the cool side, choose a thick swaddle for your baby to sleep in. You want them to feel warm and comfortable.
If your baby wiggles out of swaddles or grows out of them (swaddles are suggested for up to six months old), shop around for a sleep bag or sleep sack. These make for great transitions out of swaddles once baby is over six months, too. Some of these sacks provide a little weight that can calm your baby as well.
When you’re choosing a swaddle, go ahead and evaluate your baby’s bedding in its entirety. Make sure you have the proper crib bedding that contributes to your baby’s sleep and safety.
Keep these tips for how to create a good sleep environment for your baby in mind. Evaluating the light in their room, the noise, and their swaddle will ensure baby gets a good night’s sleep. Get some sleep yourself and rest easy knowing your baby is comfortable.
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