As a new mom, you will most likely have a lot of things to do but you never seem to have enough time to do them. Having a new baby gives so much joy. But it also comes with a lot of responsibilities and demand of your precious time.
And so, you find yourself praying for your baby to sleep for a long time during nap time so that you can get some things done. Whether your child is still a baby or a toddler, you would agree that when they are sleeping, you get to do some house chores or even work from home like I do.
As much as this sounds like a good plan, babies most of the time have their own agenda. You cannot always tell if your baby is going to sleep for long during nap time or not.
But here are some nap training tips that will help you in ensuring that your baby takes longer naps.
5 sure ways to help your baby sleep long
Keep your baby warm
If you want your baby to sleep long during nap time, you have to make sure he is warm enough. If your baby is cold, he will not be able to sleep for long. It is Important that your baby is not too cold or warm when sleeping. Even as an adult, you surely have a hard time sleeping when you are too cold or warm. So, when dressing up your baby for bed, make sure he’s appropriately dressed so that he will be comfortable and sleep for a longer time. Breathable mattresses help maintain optimum temperature of baby’s bed. Take special care while selecting the mattress for your baby’s bed.
Give your baby something to remind him of you
If your son is like mine, then your baby will sleep better and longer if he is holding on to something that makes him feel like you are next to him. Babies are attached to their mothers and always want to have them close. I usually leave my scarf close to my baby so that he will feel like I am close by. If you don’t have a scarf, you can wrap him with a blanket that has your scent. But be careful with what you use especially if your baby is still tender so that he does not suffocate. But if your baby is up to one-year-old or can easily turn, you can use this method. Otherwise, use something that will not lead to suffocation.
Also Read: The most essential baby accessory – baby bandana bib
Ensure your baby is full
No one likes to go to bed hungry. And so, your baby will not find it funny going to bed on an empty stomach. To help your baby sleep longer during nap time, make sure you nurse him with breast milk or formula before laying him down. That way, he will not have to wake up to be fed in a short while.
Start detaching yourself during nap time
I don’t mean that you should stop putting your baby to bed. What I am trying to say is that you should allow your baby learn how to sleep on his own. If you are able to do this, you will find that your baby is not always waking up expecting you to put him back to sleep. The result is that he will be able to sleep longer since he will be able to put himself back to sleep should he wake up.
Allow your baby to sleep as often as possible
Initially, I used to think that allowing babies to sleep long during the day will prevent them from sleeping at night. How wrong I was. I have found that by allowing my baby to sleep as much as he wants during the day, he’s able to easily fall asleep and sleep for long at night. So, don’t be as ignorant as I was. Allow your baby take as much nap as he wants in the day.
Making use of these 5 tips that I just shared will help your baby sleep for long during nap time. You must not necessarily use all the tips at once. You can start with one or two and then incorporate the others as you go on.
If you have other tips for helping your baby sleep longer, do feel free to share them with us in the comment section.
