| There are many important factors to | | | | The idea is to get the activity out of |
| consider when trying to ensure your baby | | | | the way now and as far away as the sleep |
| gets a good night sleep. While one | | | | time as possible so they do not go to |
| method alone will not work for everyone | | | | bed a little excited and hyperactive. |
| if you do persevere then it is just a | | | | The Second Step: |
| matter of finding one that suits you and | | | | After all that energy being used I find |
| your baby. | | | | this is a good time to give them a bath. |
| In the first few months of a babies life | | | | Babies normally love the bath time |
| they will not be able to tell the | | | | experience nearly as much as the mother. |
| difference between night and day. This | | | | This is a good mother -baby bonding |
| causes them to sleep more hours in | | | | session in it's own right. By now the |
| daytime than at night. The daytime sleep | | | | baby should be feeling clean and |
| is made up of many naps throughout the | | | | refreshed. |
| day. As the baby gets older they will | | | | The Third Step: |
| gradually erase one of the naps and this | | | | Before I dress the baby for bed I like |
| will continue as they get older. A young | | | | to give a 10-15 minutes massage. This is |
| child will never be able to see one full | | | | the ultimate relaxing moment for the |
| morning and afternoon without napping | | | | baby as you give them a gentle rub down |
| some of the time though the naps get | | | | on the front and back. Baby massage has |
| less frequent. | | | | many benefits and aids baby development. |
| From a very early age you need to set | | | | After the massage has been finished I |
| out a baby sleep schedule and to stick | | | | powder the baby a little then get them |
| with it even though sometimes you may | | | | into their sleeping clothes. By no the |
| find this difficult. The idea is to | | | | baby should be continuing the winding |
| instill in the babies mind that now is | | | | down toward sleep. |
| the time for bed because certain things | | | | The Forth Step. |
| are happening. This set routine will not | | | | I always give a feed before bedtime. |
| only assist you with organizing your | | | | After all the energies of the past few |
| time but it will also be appreciated by | | | | hours I think you will find that they |
| the baby. | | | | are ready to fill tuck into something |
| Every mum has their own type of schedule | | | | warm and nourishing. Babies are not |
| that involves many different things and | | | | unlike adults in many ways. I don't know |
| some of them maybe similar to the ones | | | | about you buy if I have eaten too much I |
| that have worked for me even though they | | | | just ant to relax and often fall asleep. |
| may be done in a different order. I used | | | | Babies do the exact same. After a good |
| to call mine the five step method and I | | | | feed and still feeling the benefits of |
| will go through each step so you can see | | | | the last hour of pre-sleep ritual they |
| why I do it and how effective it can be. | | | | should be ready to get into slumber. |
| You can integrate any of these methods | | | | The Fifth Step: |
| into your schedule if you wanted to | | | | If you have done the first four steps |
| quite easily. | | | | correctly the last should be a breeze. |
| As the baby gets older you can still | | | | You may not need to get into singing, |
| provide these same five examples though | | | | humming, swaying or gyrating mode for |
| they will be done at different times as | | | | this as all your past work is hopefully |
| the baby develops. | | | | now going to pay dividends and the baby |
| The first Step: | | | | drops off to sleep of their own accord. |
| I set aside a specific time of the day | | | | Mission done I pour myself a glass of |
| for afternoon playtime. This will get | | | | wine and flop down on the sofa and recap |
| the mind of the baby working along with | | | | on another eventful day for mother and |
| their body. It can be playing with small | | | | child. What will tomorrow bring? Who |
| soft toys or just simple, games of | | | | knows. |
| peek-a-boo and other family favorites. | | | | |