How Do I Know If My Baby Is Ready to Sleep through the Night?
Always ask your doctor if your baby is ready to sleep through the night. Here are some guidelines.
•We have our best success with singletons who are 4 months old from the due date. Twins at 5 months from their due date. Triplets 6 months from their due date. Weight must be at least 14 lbs.
• They need to be eating at least 28-32 oz. in 12 hours during the day. Feed every 3-4 hours 6-8 oz. bottles, to eliminate nighttime feedings. If breastfeeding, check with your pediatrician to see if your baby is ready to eliminate nighttime feedings.
• Is this the right time for you and your baby? You and your partner must be ready when you start and stay consistent.
• Keep a log for at least 3 days before you start. This will help you to identify issues and patterns and chose the best solution for you and your family. Continue the logs while you are teaching healthy sleep habits, and you will be able to see the progress you’re making. This will help encourage you to keep moving toward your goal of having your baby sleeping through the night.
TIPS!!!!!!
• Make sleep a priority and avoid baby getting overtired.
• Remove swaddle when baby starts rolling on to their tummy, around 4-5 months.
• Set up a consistent nighttime routine, bath, massage, book, song, swaddle, feed, etc. and put them down drowsy, but awake so they can learn to self-soothe.
• Keeping your baby up later at night will not help them sleep later in the morning. It usually backfires, and you have more nighttime wakes and fussy mornings.
• Stay calm. Your baby may have no idea how to fall asleep on her own, without her sleep habits. If she is crying, it’s because she’s tired and learning to self-soothe putting herself to back to sleep.
• Once your baby learns to fall asleep on their own, they will get the healthy sleep they need. This skill enables them to put themselves back to sleep whenever they wake up during the night, or during naps.