Sweet Dream Are Made Of This

Ventilation & Temperature: Make sure the baby’s room is well ventilated, with lots of fresh air to prevent overheating while the baby sleeps. Babies, just like most adults, sleep better in a cooler room. The ideal temperature for your baby’s room should be between 20-22 C. Don’t overdress your baby with heavy layers of clothing. Signs that your baby is too warm include flushing, sweating or breathing heavily. 

Positioning: Babies should alway be put to bed on their backs. The crib should be positioned away from any window, blinds or drapes. 

Declutter: When it comes to bed-time in the crib, less is more. Remove all toys, soft-toys, thick padding, blankets, and pillows to prevent suffocation hazards. A firm mattress with a tight fitted sheet is much better for your baby than a soft one. Keep your baby warm in a swaddling blanket and make sure there is nothing around the face or neck area. 

Spare change: Desperately hunting for a fresh crib sheet after a nappy or spit up accident is right up there on things you do not want to do at 3 am. The bright lights and shuffling noises only result in a fully awake baby who now has zero plans of sleeping anytime soon. This can be easily prevented by double layering ahead of time. Use a regular crib sheet, top it with a disposable waterproof pad, and then another sheet, both of which can be easily replaced if required. Also ensure you have at least one full change and a swaddle on hand to minimize your nightly adventures. 

Baby cave: Just as a baby will sleep more soundly in a cooler room, the same applies for a dark room. Invest in some light-blocking curtains and consider adding a white noise machine to your nursery, to help recreate a womb like sleep chamber for your infant. Light and sound stimulation are the biggest nemesis of bed-time, and with these two tricks you can give your baby’s natural sleep boosting melatonin a fighting chance to succeed.