Top tips for managing the “4th trimester”

The first few months of a baby’s life especially for new parents, is often the hardest and most challenging part of parenting.

Couples bring their baby home from the hospital and they don’t come with a manual or guide. Yes, there is a lot of sleep literature available to new parents but often it can be extremely overwhelming and difficult to know which theory may be right for you and your family.

It’s completely normal for newborns to sleep for much of the day and to wake and feed frequently during the night but there are a few things you can do to set up good sleep habits for the coming months.

Below are my top tips to get your baby on a good sleep routine:

Recognise your baby’s sleepy signs?

It is important to recognise sleepy signs. Once you see your baby exhibiting any of these it’s definitely time to put them down for a nap. Often you are already passed the point at which they should be asleep and you have entered the overtired phase.

If you see your baby showing the following signs of tiredness put them down for a nap straight away: rubbing their ears or eyes, pulling at their ears or hair, or yawning. If you can get your baby down when you see these signs, they will settle more easily and not become overtired. If your baby is arching their back or hysterically crying for long periods of time, chances are they are already overtired and they will find it more difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep.

Once you see your baby exhibiting any of these it’s definitely time to put them down for a nap.

If you see your baby showing the following signs of tiredness put them down for a nap straight away: rubbing their ears or eyes, pulling at their ears or hair, or yawning. If you can get your baby down when you see these signs, they will settle more easily and not become overtired. If your baby is arching their back or hysterically crying for long periods of time, chances are they are already overtired and they will find it more difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep.

What is the most effective way to settle your baby?

During those first few months the focus is to nurture and love your baby as much as possible and to create a ‘womb’ like experience for them. The best way to do this is to make them feel snug and secure in whatever way possible. Swaddling is an excellent tool (arms in), white noise that has a monotone sound that is reminiscent of the womb. It should not have any tone to it; just a sound of rain or waves is best.

If you do not want to put your baby to sleep in their bed or pram for all of their naps and you prefer to have them close to you, a baby sling can often work well especially if you have other children at home and you need the use of your hands. Just ensure you are doing this as safely as possible and according to the health ministry guidelines. One of my favorite techniques is also what is called the sssh and pat which is using your voice to say

It should not have any tone to it; just a sound of rain or waves is best. If you do not want to put your baby to sleep in their bed or pram for all of their naps and you prefer to have them close to you, a baby sling can often work well especially if you have other children at home and you need the use of your hands. Just ensure you are doing this as safely as possible and according to the health ministry guidelines. One of my favorite techniques is also what is called the sssh and pat which is using your voice to say

It should not have any tone to it; just a sound of rain or waves is best. If you do not want to put your baby to sleep in their bed or pram for all of their naps and you prefer to have them close to you, a baby sling can often work well especially if you have other children at home and you need the use of your hands. Just ensure you are doing this as safely as possible and according to the health ministry guidelines. One of my favorite techniques is also what is called the sssh and pat which is using your voice to say

It should not have any tone to it; just a sound of rain or waves is best. If you do not want to put your baby to sleep in their bed or pram for all of their naps and you prefer to have them close to you, a baby sling can often work well especially if you have other children at home and you need the use of your hands. Just ensure you are doing this as safely as possible and according to the health ministry guidelines. One of my favorite techniques is also what is called the sssh and pat which is using your voice to say

One of my favorite techniques is also what is called the sssh and pat which is using your voice to say ssssh repetitively and at the same time patting your baby while you are trying to settle them to sleep. This technique can also help to relieve wind or colic especially when you place your baby on their side.

How can you establish good sleeping habits?

Remember that your young baby needs a lot of day- time and night-time sleep in the first few months of their life. They can also get over stimulated very quickly and this can cause overtiredness, which can mean your baby becomes very unsettled and will wake up a lot at night.

Try and avoid keeping your baby awake for longer than 1-1.5 hours in between naps and work towards making a set bedtime routine each night of bath, massage and cuddling before placing them in bed. A set bedtime routine is possible from day one and your baby will love this consistency each day.

It is also important to avoid doing too much every day and overloading both yourself and your baby with too many activities and outdoor time. Try and create a sense of calmness for both you and your baby during sleep time. Make sure their sleep space is quiet and not overly cluttered including inside their bed. Reduce stimulation in their room wherever possible to ensure they are relaxed as possible when you are trying to settle them to sleep. A relaxed baby is a happy mummy.

It is also important to avoid doing too much every day and overloading both yourself and your baby with too many activities and outdoor time. Try and create a sense of calmness for both you and your baby during sleep time. Make sure their sleep space is quiet and not overly cluttered including inside their bed. Reduce stimulation in their room wherever possible to ensure they are relaxed as possible when you are trying to settle them to sleep. A relaxed baby is a happy mummy.

A set bedtime routine is possible from day one and your baby will love this consistency each day. It is also important to avoid doing too much every day and overloading both yourself and your baby with too many activities and outdoor time. Try and create a sense of calmness for both you and your baby during sleep time. Make sure their sleep space is quiet and not overly cluttered including inside their bed. Reduce stimulation in their room wherever possible to ensure they are relaxed as possible when you are trying to settle them to sleep. A relaxed baby is a happy mummy.

They can also get over stimulated very quickly and this can cause overtiredness, which can mean your baby becomes very unsettled and will wake up a lot at night. Try and avoid keeping your baby awake for longer than 1-1.5 hours in between naps and work towards making a set bedtime routine each night of bath, massage and cuddling before placing them in bed. A set bedtime routine is possible from day one and your baby will love this consistency each day.

It is also important to avoid doing too much every day and overloading both yourself and your baby with too many activities and outdoor time. Try and create a sense of calmness for both you and your baby during sleep time. Make sure their sleep space is quiet and not overly cluttered including inside their bed.

Reduce stimulation in their room wherever possible to ensure they are relaxed as possible when you are trying to settle them to sleep. A relaxed baby is a happy mummy.

If you require help and support getting your baby into a good sleep routine, you can contact me on sinead@betterbabysleep.ie to book an appointment.