ASK any mum and they will tell you that one of the trickiest parts of being a parent is getting your baby to sleep through the night.
However, that needn’t be the case according to one parenting expert.
Ahead of World Sleep Day on 18th March, Tiffany Norris, has partnered with smart baby monitor Cubo Ai, to bring you the top 10 sleep tips for both parents and babies.
The mum-of-three, 40, from London, is the UK’s first Mummy Concierge, and knows a thing or two about getting not only her children, but also herself, a good night's sleep.
Here she reveals her top sleep hacks for babies (and their parents!)
1. Be more boring
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As we all know, babies thrive on routine….and as boring as this might sound, a regular routine is going to be what helps your baby sleep.
So come up with a ‘bath, book, bedtime’ routine, that happens at the same time every day, and stick to it. Will your life be a little more boring? Yes. But it will also be healthier and happier for it.
2. Master the Floppy Arm Test
If you’re anxious about the baby waking up the second you leave the nursery then check they are fully asleep first. Start by watching their eyes.
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If your baby’s eyes are darting under their lids, they’re in deep sleep. Then administer the “floppy-arm test”: Lift up an arm and drop it. If baby doesn’t stir, you’re good to go.
3. Water Bottle Ready
If your baby often falls asleep in your arms, then Put a hot water bottle in the bassinet or cot, which will warm it up for them before you put them down.
This will make the transfer from your arms to bed a little easier. (Don’t forget to remove the hot water bottle before the baby is in!)
4. Get Tick Tock.
Keep a ticking clock in the nursery. The repetitive sound is similar to a mother’s heartbeat when she’s in the womb, and it can be incredibly reassuring for a baby, who will then come to associate it with going to sleep reassured and came to associate it with sleep.
5. Stop the Ninja Moves
If your baby is sleeping in your room (as per the Lullaby Trust guidelines), you’ll probably find yourself ‘silent ninja-ing’ around the bedroom whilst you try to get ready for bed yourself, as you’ll be so petrified of waking them up. My Hack?
Switch on a white noise machine to distract them from any noise you might be making and attempt to do as much of your bedtime prep out of the bedroom.
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6. Set the mood
You need to make your baby realise that it's sleep time, so focus on creating a cosy atmosphere for them . Turn the lights down low, keep your voice to a whisper and avoid playing with them too much as this will just overstimulate them.
Also don’t fill your baby’s nursery with too many toys, mobiles etc. this just makes the nursery feel ‘manic’ for your little one. Instead create a calm relaxing place for them to sleep without too many distractions.
And for parents…
1. Take turns
If you have a partner, there's no reason both of you need to be awake every time the baby is. If you’re bottle feeding, take it in turns to do shifts, and if you’re bottle feeding let your partner handle the nappy change before and soothe the baby after.
This way you'll both get four or five hours of uninterrupted sleep–which makes all the difference
2. Make a list
When you’re a new parent, your list of ‘to dos’ can be incredibly overwhelming, and the second you want to go to sleep, you mind starts buzzing with everything that needs to be done.
Make a list of all the problems or things that you need to get done. Then below each problem write how you are going to solve it. Having a plan of action, regardless of how simple, can help you feel at ease and allow your brain to relax better.
3. Make some noise
Believe it or not, your baby’s cuddle toy that plays white noise, might actually be even more beneficial for you.
Research shows that adults who listen to white nose at bedtime actually sleep longer and better.
4. Go High Tech.
When it comes to a good night's sleep, a nervous new parent simply needs reassurance that their little one is ok and safe.
The Cubo AI Baby Monitor not only enables you to watch your sleeping little one from anywhere but it also has AI detection in case anything goes wrong – a muslin over your baby face? A Danger zone in the cot?
The monitor detects this for you and alerts you straight away.
5. Get an eye mask.
An eye mask is a life-changer for numerous reasons.
1) They block light which helps your brain produce melatonin which is the sleep hormone that will help you sleep. 2) They are a good sleep association. Yup, even us adults need sleep associations!
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