You don't have to let your newborn cry though. It's ok to allow your baby to wiggle and grunt or even fuss a bit if you're comfortable with it. If they cry, try to offer comfort without picking your baby up first, and if needed, pick up and comfort and then lay your baby down again. Instead of rocking your baby to sleep and then placing them down in their bed asleep, which will often lead to wake-ups, lay them down awake and allow them to go to sleep on their own. There are lots of opportunities to practice, because newborns sleep often! So if you attempt it for one nap, and it doesn't happen, it's ok! Try it again for the next nap.ģ. Even if you DO hold your newborn baby for a few naps a day, and I encourage you to do it - soak up those snuggles! - I also encourage new parents to attempt independent sleep at nighttime and for at LEAST one nap a day. Start from the beginning with the sleep habits you want your baby to have in the future.Ģ. They didn't get used to being nursed or rocked to sleep for every single sleep. I started with both of my babies from literally day one, allowing them to go to sleep on their own, in their own crib, in their own room (my second had to share a room with me in the beginning, due to space restrictions, but I moved her basinet as far away from my bed as I could). Start as you mean to go on. If you always feed to sleep, hold to sleep, or rock to sleep, that's the only way your baby will know how to get to sleep. Here are 6 tips to help your newborn sleep independently.ġ. Keeping your baby safe is the top priority. Swings, or any inclined sleeping surface are not safe for sleep, and baby sleep positioners, such as Dock-a-Tot or SnuggleMe's are also not safe for sleep. Keep in mind, the safest place for a newborn to sleep is ALONE, on their BACK, and in a CRIB (or safe sleeping surface such as a basinet). Let someone come get their baby fix and hold your baby for a nap so you can go take a nap (or a shower!). But sometimes when your baby won't let you set them down and they need a nap and you need a break, a safe car seat nap or stroller nap can help!ģ. It is not safe to bring the infant carrier out of the car and allow your baby to sleep in it while it's sitting on the ground (this is a suffocation risk). It is safe for your baby to sleep in the car seat ONLY if properly installed in a car or stroller using the base, and if the baby is properly strapped in. If the baby is properly secured in the carrier and the person wearing it is safe, it's safe for babies to nap in baby carriers.Ģ. A comfy, stretchy carrier, such as a K'Tan is good, and I loved using my LilleBaby carrier. A good baby carrier can be a lifesaver for days when your baby doesn't want to be put down, but you have things to do (or other kids to take care of). Here are some ways you can help your baby feel cozy and get good naps, while also keeping your baby safe:ġ. It's very natural for new babies to want to be held while sleeping. It has been referred to as The Fourth Trimester, and it's the time right after a baby is born when they're adjusting to being outside the womb, and the baby craves the closeness and coziness of the womb. For some babies, it's easy, but for others, it can seem almost impossible. So while those snuggly naps are sweet, you also need to be able to help your new baby sleep on their own as well. It is dangerous for parents to fall asleep with their babies in their arms, and it's also dangerous for parents to try and stay awake constantly and not get any sleep at all. But every parent knows you can't survive that way 24 hours a day for months. And when I had new babies, I remember those sweet, cuddly moments with my newborn napping in my arms or on my chest were some of my FAVORITE moments that I still cherish. Anyone who's had a new baby knows there are days when your baby doesn't want to be put down even for a second, and it's hard to get anything done.
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