Six sleep mistakes parents make and how to avoid them
Every new parent's dream is to have a baby who’s a "good sleeper," but helping your little one to form solid sleep habits can be tricky. We’ve researched the most common missteps that parents make, and how to fix them so that everyone can catch more zzz’s.
Mistake 1: putting your baby to bed too late
When you've been at work all day, it can be tempting to keep your baby or toddler up so you can spend more time with them. Or maybe you hope they'll become so tired, they'll just flake out.
No matter the reason, it's not a good idea to keep your baby up past their bedtime. When babies and toddlers get over-tired, they actually find it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. They also tend to wake up earlier than if they had gone to bed at an earlier hour.
It’s much better to have a bedtime routine in place and stick to it. Don’t wait until your child is yawning and rubbing their eyes to put it in action. Even 15 to 20 minutes of extra sleep can make all the difference.
Mistake 2: relying on motion for baby sleep
Have you ever breathed a sigh of relief as your baby snoozes in their car seat or baby swing? While this can provide you with a well-deserved break, don't fall into the trap of relying on motion to get your baby to fall asleep. In addition to it being a pain to have to take your baby for a drive every night, it’s not safe for them to snooze in their car seat (bouncer or swing) for long stretches. They're also unlikely to get the deep, restful sleep they need, if they’re not in their bassinet or crib.
It's fine to use motion to soothe your baby if they're upset or fussy. Just don't let it become part of their daily bedtime routine.
Mistake 3: overstimulation
It's best to put your baby to sleep in a nearly pitch black room. Don't worry about them being afraid of the dark; they're too young to have nighttime fears. A fan or a white noise machine may also help, as it will muffle any noise from the rest of the house or from outside.
Mistake 4: skipping the bedtime routine
With a baby, you may assume that a routine of a bath, a book and a lullaby isn't yet needed. Or as your child gets older, you may start to feel they're too old for a bedtime routine. Or maybe you feel too tired to do it.
But having a routine of calming, pleasing things to do before bedtime prepares your little one for sleep. Even adults need some kind of wind-down routine each night. You can't expect your child to go straight from a busy day to bed. They simply won't get the sleep they need.
You can create any routine you like for your child. Just make sure it's a series of relaxing steps that happen in the same order, at about the same time every night.
Mistake 5: inconsistency
A couple of times a week or when they're clingy, it's tempting to lie down with your toddler in your bed until they fall asleep. Or maybe you put them down in their room but then let them crawl into bed with you in the night. Before you know it, your bed is a family bed, and everyone is squished into it.
If you find yourself in this situation, ease your child out of your bed gently. Sit next to their bed as they fall asleep. Then, after a few nights you can sit in the doorway, before leaving the room completely. Explain that when it's time to sleep they have to sleep in their own bed. Be firm but kind and you'll get there.
Mistake 6: moving to a big bed too soon
If you move your child from their crib to a bed too soon, you may find them wandering around in the early hours. Before the age of three, your child doesn't have the understanding or self-control to stay in a bed.
The best thing to do is to try your child in a big bed. If after a week it's not working, then there's nothing wrong with moving them back to the crib for a while longer. In a couple of months, give the toddler bed another go. Try to stay relaxed about it all.
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