You want your baby to sleep well and be safe in their crib, but all the rules can be confusing for a new parent. The biggest fear of every mom after a long day is a scenario where the baby wakes up several times during the night. Waking up is always accompanied by crying that echoes through the room in the “dead of night,” taking the baby out of the crib, and rocking them back to sleep. Sometimes this can last longer, sometimes shorter, but every minute in the middle of the night feels like an hour to a mom. Here is what you need to know about safe and healthy baby sleep.
Share the Room, but Not the Bed
If the baby sleeps in your room for at least the first six months (ideally up to a year), it can make night feeding easier if you are breastfeeding. You should avoid co-sleeping (letting the baby sleep in your bed). Always keep them in their bassinet or crib, as pillows and blankets in your bed can pose a risk. There are also additional risks of the baby falling off the bed and someone accidentally rolling over them during the night.
Put the Baby to Sleep in the Crib or Bassinet
It is up to you whether your newborn sleeps in a bassinet or crib when you first bring them home. The baby can also sleep in a playpen with a soft pad or a portable crib. Whatever you choose, the product should meet the latest safety guidelines.
Choose the Right Formula
The benefits of milk before bedtime, after which the baby gently drifts off to sleep, are well-known. This is because milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that causes drowsiness.
Make sure to find milk that is additionally enriched with inulin, which is good for the child’s immune system and digestive tract since it belongs to the group of prebiotics and stimulates the growth of lactic acid bacteria – probiotics. Inulin can increase calcium absorption in the body, help develop normal intestinal flora, and act like any dietary fiber – helping with digestion.
Additionally, the advantage of this milk is that it tastes great, so the baby will surely love it.
