Baby sleep (or lack of it) is a hot topic for parents, especially if you have a baby who doesn’t sleep as well as you had hoped. Rosey Davidson is the founder ofJust Chill Baby Sleep, a business devoted to saving parent’s sleep.
Her no nonsense, practical advice has helped her amass a large following on social media (@just_chill_mama), where she shares tips, tricks and supportive content each day. Her online courses and one to one consultations have been a life saver to countless parents in the UK and beyond.
Today, Rosey gives us her answers to the top questions she is regularly asked.
When should I start a routine with my baby?
We are all different and there really is no right or wrong answer to this, however, small babies can be very unpredictable so you may find it easier to hold off until they are around 12 weeks old. Then you might see a natural rhythm start to develop anyway, but if not it can be a good time to start. You can introduce a bedtime routine at any age – this simply means doing the same things in the same order each night (bath, massage, feed, lullaby, bed for example).
How do I know if my baby is tired or ready for a nap?
The most important thing is getting to know YOUR baby. They all display slightly different signs of tiredness but they often include: Pulling at their ears, clenching fists, difficulty focusing (or avoiding your gaze), whinging, jerky limb movements, frowning or looking worried. Also keep an eye on how long they have been awake – you should start to see a pattern emerge as they develop.
Is it important that my baby settles themselves?
Although some babies can be ‘assisted’ to sleep and get a great night, for lots of babies this isn’t the case. When they stir during the night, they expect their sleep conditions to be the same as when they fell asleep. It’s worth thinking about how your little one gets to sleep at bedtime to see if it’s a barrier to settled night. It’s normal for small babies to need your help but as they grow you can practice ways of helping them fall asleep themselves. Practice makes progress!
How can I help my baby to settle themselves?
Check your daytime routine - the right balance of day and night sleep will mean your baby is receptive to falling asleep at bedtime. Have a cool, dark sleep environment to help them nod off. When putting them to bed sometimes just giving them a moment before you rush to intervene can be really helpful. We should always be able to comfort our babies, but listening to what they are asking for is important too. There are many ways to do this, so choose a method that suits you and your family.
When will my baby sleep through the night?
Strictly speaking, none of us sleep through the night – we all stir between sleep cycles. We are unlikely to be awake long enough to remember this but for children they may stay awake if they haven’t learned the skill of falling back to sleep independently. There is no right or wrong time for them to do this, they all get there eventually!
Should you ever wake a sleeping baby?
There are a few reasons why you might wake your baby. You might need to wake your baby to feed. You don’t want them to sleep through a feed during the day (especially important for small babies), but also it is important to wake them at night until they have regained their birth weight. You may also want to protect bedtime or the next nap – for those following a routine this is really important – for older babies and toddlers a ‘danger’ nap too close to bedtime can wreak havoc with your nights!
When can babies sleep on their stomach?
You should always place your baby on their back to fall asleep. Once they can roll from back to front, and back again, you can allow them to find their own sleep position. Give them lots of opportunity to practice rolling on the floor during the day when you can supervise.
Will I ever sleep again?
Absolutely yes! With time, patience and a consistent routine, your little one will get a settled night and so will you. Remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to sleep. We are all individuals and you are your baby’s expert. However, you don’t have to suffer sleep deprivation long term, so do reach out for help if you need it.
You can find out more about Just Chill Baby Sleep over at www.justchillbabysleep.co.uk
Also check out The Lullaby Trust for more detailed guidelines