Baby and Parent Sleep Tips

Baby and parent sleep tips

You’ll come to love the sound of a gentle coo coming from the baby monitor. It’s the best indicator that your little one is sleeping safely and soundly. Here are a few tips to make sure you hear it more often than not.

Sleep position

Health Canada says that putting your baby to sleep on their back lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The trick is to start early, as babies get into a habit of sleeping the way they’re first placed. DO NOT use sleep positioners to keep your child on his or her back, as they’ve been linked to suffocation.

Also, in the spirit of consistency, try not to have tummy time in the crib. Let them come to understand that there’s only one way to lie in there.

Glider Chairs and Rocking Chairs

There’ll be nights when you’ll have to hold your baby in your arms until they fall asleep, either because they’ve got gas pains, they’re not tired enough to fall asleep on their own or because it’s just what they want. A rocker or glider will come in extremely handy in these situations.

Rockers are more work, as the swaying power will come from your legs. It’s also a stronger sway and a bit more difficult to control. Glider chairs provide a smoother and easier movement, but they’re usually bigger and more expensive. Both will do the trick, though.

The sleep environment

It's tempting to want to cover your baby with a warm blanket on a cold night, but that could actually do more harm than good if they accidentally kick it over onto their face while they sleep. The same goes for pillows and stuffed animals.

A baby’s crib should be free of everything except the baby and a fitted sheet. On cold nights, consider a wearable blanket as an alternative to a blanket.

Bed-sharing

For a number of reasons, Health Canada does not recommend co-sleeping. You could roll over on them in the middle of the night, accidentally cover them with your blanket or even strike them in your sleep.

Sharing a room with your baby, however, is recommended for the first six months of their life. Research has shown that it’s good for them, and may even reduce the risk of SIDS. Just make sure the crib is near your bed so it’s easier to get to your baby should they need you during the night.