We are excited to introduce Aimi Palmer, Certified Sleep Consultant and owner of My Little Sleeper, on the blog today! Aimi began My Little Sleeper after her own experiences as a first time mom, and realizing the challenges that come with having a sleep-fighting baby.

After many sleepless nights, she and her husband decided to hire a sleep consultant and the unbelievable results sparked an interest in the subject.

She researched sleep training for the next year and after implementing the new practices with her second baby, Voila! She had two sleeping tykes… which also means two happy, rested parents.

She knew she needed to share this wonderful gift of sleep with other parents struggling in this phase, so My Little Sleeper was born. Aimi lives with her husband and two daughters in Chicago, IL.

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Most parents are looking for solutions to their baby’s sleep troubles to get their baby sleeping soundly through the night. Follow these “best practices” and you will be on the road to a better night’s sleep.

First, the safety basics from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat crib mattress with only a fitted sheet.

Keep pillows, blankets, bumpers and toys out of the crib. The AAP also recommends sharing a room, but not a bed, with your baby for at least the first 6 months.

Environment

Make sure your baby’s room is primed for the best night’s sleep possible. Consider buying a white noise machine to help lull them to sleep (and to block out any outside noise). Keep it at a low volume and away from the crib. Mombible.com recommends a number of useful products to buy before your baby arrives.

Keep the room dark at night. Light can suppress melatonin, the hormone that signals sleep, so blackout shades and a very dim or no night-light may help.

Also, check the temperature is not too hot, cold, humid or dry and adjust accordingly. Overheating raises SIDS risk, so dress your baby in no more than one layer more than you would wear.

Feed Before Bed

Newborns and young babies need to feed during the night. Many older babies can eventually go longer without a night feed, but the timing varies.

Speak to your pediatrician about whether your baby is ready to drop night feeds. Once they are, a full feed before bed can help them settle for longer stretches.

Put Into Crib Drowsy, But Awake

If you let your baby put themselves to sleep, they will be much more likely to stay asleep through the night. Most babies and adults wake multiple times at night.

If they independently fall asleep at bed time, they are less likely to need you for them to fall back asleep during the night. Don’t put them down already half asleep; rather, make sure they are calm and awake. This is one of the biggest culprits of night wakings.

Bedtime Routine

A consistent bedtime routine is a good way to wind down from the day and to let your baby know that it is time for bed. Your bedtime routine should last 20-30 minutes and should be calm and consistent.

For reference, the CDC says babies aged 4 to 12 months need 12 to 16 hours of sleep a day, including naps.

Don’t Encourage Bad Habits

In the end, sleep training is just a behavioral adjustment. Most experts advise against formal sleep training before about 4 to 6 months, so ask your pediatrician first. You can still set your baby on the path to restful sleep from the newborn stage with these tips. A well-rested baby means a happier family.

If you’d like to learn more about Aimi or My Little Sleeper, please visit their website.

Sources

• How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• About Sleep, CDC