You probably never expected to think so much about sleep—after all, your eyes are ready to snap shut by the end of the day (or midafternoon, let's be honest), so how tough can it be to get your little one to do the same? But as any parent of a newborn knows, getting your baby to fall asleep can feel like a nightmare.
Turns out, there's a lot that goes into getting those z's, including a regular daytime routine.
5 Tips to Help You and Your Baby Get a Good Night's Sleep
1. Get Some Sun
It may sound counterintuitive, but spending time outdoors during the day can actually help your baby sleep better at night. The sunlight helps to regulate your baby's circadian rhythm, which is their natural sleep-wake cycle.
2. Be Active
Just like adults, babies need to expend some energy during the day to be able to sleep soundly at night. Go for a walk around the block, play at the park, or engage in any other type of physical activity.
3. Encourage Tummy Time
Tummy time is important for your baby's development, and it can also help them sleep better at night. You can start almost as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. Begin with 3-5 minutes of tummy time play at a time. Build up to an hour total each day. This will help develop their neck and shoulder muscles and get them sleepy for bedtime.
4. Limit Screen Time
Too much exposure to blue light from screens can disrupt your baby's natural sleep cycle. If you must use electronics, do so during the day and limit screen time to an hour before bedtime. And by limiting screen time, you can use those few moments to calm your mind and create a stronger connection with your baby.
5. Establish a Bedtime Routine
Just like adults, babies sleep better when they have a regular bedtime routine. This can include baths, massages, reading, or whatever else you find calming. Doing the same thing each night will signal to your baby that it's time to sleep.
Encourage Sweet Dreams with Baby Merlin
There's really nothing like getting a good night's sleep. That's why we created 3 products that parents everywhere use to help their babies sleep: the Magic Sleepsuit, the Dream Sack, and the Dream Sack Walker.
By using the Baby Merlin products for your swaddle transition, you can help your baby learn to get better rest. Let us help you turn those nighttime feedings and diaper changes into sweet dreams!