Sleep facts for baby and you
Latest update: September 20, 2018
Author: Heidi Holvoet, PhD
Use this facts and guidance page to browse and read about the good-to-know basics and effective ideas for most common baby and parent sleep challenges.
General facts
The Magical Baby Sleep Solution ...
No two babies are the same, just as no two families are the
same. That
means there is not a
single bedtime method that fits all.
Depending on your child's and your personality you may be a convinced
co-sleeper or
adhere crying it out methods. Or you may simply follow your instincts
and use ad-hoc tips to help with settling.
My personal
advice will always be based on a
common-sense, loving and determined
approach - using the gentle positive progressive techniques that I offer throughout this site, proven to
give the
best results.
That, combined with your own instincts, guiding your baby
(determinedly)
while being guided by her (lovingly) will be all you need.
Why
is sleep important?
How
much sleep is enough? Find out how many hours
is typical at different ages and how to know if your little one sleeps
enough
or too little.
How she makes it through naps and nights is governed by her sleep
patterns. These help us understand that sleeping is a
skill that needs to develop.
The rapid development from
newborn sleep patterns toward adult-like ones explains so
well how unpredictable sleeping can be in the first weeks and
months.
Understanding external
effects on infant sleep patterns
also helps you steer things in the right direction. These effects
range from
personality through home situation and cultural differences to feeding.
Methods and approaches
Start at the sleeping
through the night section to explore
how to help your little boy or girl settle well and keep asleep, gently
and effectively, without
crying it out.
When looking for a specific approach that works for you and
your little boy or girl,
start with this sleep method overview, where I discuss my own approach as well as the No
Cry Solution, Ferber, the Baby
Whisperer, etc.
Crying
it out: pro's and con's and what to do if you want to avoid
having your child cry it out. If you are considering it, have a quick look at when
cry it out is a no-no.
For You
Good nights for your infant are important, but equally important for
you,
as a parent or carer.
Mainly
during the first year, many parents experience some form of sleep
deprivation and its effects. Exhaustion is also linked to baby
blues and general perinatal health.
These simple
relaxation techniques like belly
breathing help many moms and dads too.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, keeping well rested is important to stay fit and
healthy.
Relieve
pregnancy
fatigue and pregnancy sleeping problems thanks
to simple and effective gestures.
Discover how you can prepare your little one for good naps and nights
through
bonding
during pregnancy.
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