As a new parent, one of the biggest challenges you may face is ensuring that your beloved newborn gets enough sleep. And let's be honest, an overtired baby can turn even the most composed adult into a walking-talking mess! If you've tried every trick in your playbook and nothing seems to work, fear not! We have your back with this comprehensive guide on how to put your baby to snooze town by making them sleep on their tummy.
Why Should You Try 'Snoozing On Tummy'?
The general perception among parents has been that putting babies down for naps or bedtime should never involve placing them face down. This was strong advice shared widely by paediatricians until recently when several studies demonstrated FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) affects infants too!
Here are some reasons why it might just be worth trying:
- Babies who snooze whilst lying belly-down have shown better quality of sleep
- Toddlers who experience good naptime routine tend do well at pre-school
- Better social skills - which will come in handy during times like peak walking protests and other mom-group meetups!
When To Start Sleeping Your Little One Face Down?
There’s no standard time frame recommended for babies since all kids develop differently.. However; here are some clues indicating they might be ready:
- Neck control: It is vital your infant can lift their head & move it side-side so air could flow as needed.
- Rolling Over : If s/he starts rolling over effortlessly from back-to-stomach independently then its probably safe.
- Age Appropriate Sensibility (Cautious Parents Alert): In certain cultures and countries sleeping regularly stomach-down isn’t considered amid ideal practice due previous findings whereby crib death prevalence rose significantly.
If any doubts arise about appropriateness for your child, contact your pediatrician to discuss detailed information.
Prepping For The Sleep Time
Just as the adage goes -If you fail to plan, then naturally you've planned failure. Therefore early preparations in readiness for bedtime are crucial... esp when sleepy time is nigh!
Cleanliness Essentials:
With babies being mini disaster zones with leaky diapers & spontaneous spit-ups , it's important to keep them comfortable while ensuring that bedding remains clean and cozy enough.
- Ensure beddings are free of drools, food or any other messes.
- Wearing sleep sacks faciliates easy tossing without getting cold body parts
### Surroundings:
Infants spend up close upto 15 hours sleeping per day which highlights need maximising on environmental essentials
Ensure Room Temperature: Keep surrounding temperature between 65°F (18°C) & 72°F (22°C) Use a white noise machine : This enhances calm environment resulting into deeper sleeps
## Getting Your Little One In a Good Position
Here kicks in most parents' diabolical syndrome! Scratching their own hair out trying everything possible just cause baby won't go down. Fear not; an all in one solution packed below...
Starting off:
Place baby prone toward the end of crib so they could turn around easily when they get bored of lying still in same spot also “face-to-face” staring match isn’t imposing at night.
Pro tips: Use nighttime diaper strapping it snugly & comfortably on tummy Dress appropriately, dressing light if hotter than usual room or vise verse chilly rooms such flannel pajamas
Patience And Persistence Prove Paramount
At first putting younglings stomach-down won’t be well received hence calming them later…
Patience dumbs learned tricks we insist worked wonders will gift great rewards ultimately but maintaining consistent efforts of soothing cries till they adapt becomes key!
Pro tips: If struggling, make the environment slightly more conducive to napping e.g. adding white noise machines placed at a strategic location such as on top of cabinet to mimic sound played in womb during gestation. For those babies experiencing great difficulty adapting; seek advice from certified consultants for solutions.
Safety Considerations
Babies are precious and there's no measure too big or small when it comes their safety precautions; here three important things parents must ensure:
Facing Up At Nap Time - One Way Ticket.. NO Turnbacks!
Once baby has been put down, ensure zero shifting over onto belly. Accomplish by finding ways ensuring its secure before falling asleep themselves since sudden movements whilst on tummy catch children completely off guard due lack motor-skills mastery rendering them prone suffocating if unable re-adjust breathing position.
Protips: - A wristwatch timer keeping track time spent stomach-down - Opting for movement monitoring devices like AngelCare that will alert you just incase something seems awry.
### The Solo/Night Hike Worthy Snooze Time
No matter how prepared we may prepare some unexpected hitches can take place so when parental-adults need buckled up solo sustenance actions have consequences potentially leading disastrous aftermaths with infants not being an exception hence remote safety measures should be prioritised;
Protips: -Instate a secure makeshift system (Tripod styled) allowing regular check-ups that'll concurrently monitor your child also enabling easy communication through video link.. -Motion sensors attached throughout areas alongside exit points notifying caretakers soon after idle mode prolongs beyond minutes slated.
Precautions When Snoozing Your Baby On Tummy
Every parent knows watching out for their little loved ones is paramount while enduring this topsy-turvy journey...
Monitor your Infant’s Breathing/Wakefulness Pattern
Whilst the ease brought forth by eventually tummy slumber ease might be relieving it still means that the onus is on us to ensure being cautious all through.
Ensure they get enough air and are soundly asleep throughout. Infants breathing should always remain rhythmic & stable.
Protip: Check if baby’s chest moves up and down gently regularly while inhaling.
Be At Alert When Baby Seems Uncomfortable
Crying or resisting position raises eyebrows often knowing a distinct problem arising enabling staying attuned with infant, relaxing them accordingly faster consequently tackling root symptoms rather than waiting secondary ones emerge later making worse.
Pro tip: Some experts suggest minimal maternal vicinity such as placing hand-over-tummy providing soothing accompanied by humming which settle murmurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What If My Infant Refuse Completely Lying Stomach Down Whilst Sleeping?
A: It may take anywhere between few days / weeks depending since initially adopting any change isn’t easy especially those in limbo-phase seeking survivalful-endeavours.. However continuously training can yield desired results ultimately resulting into better sleeping habits amongst infants leading happier parents too!
Q: Can A Pacifier Help Ease The Transition Process?
A : Babies usually find pacifiers comforting so putting one near them whilst laying prone for added sense of security leading calmer snoozes..
In conclusion, every parent wants their child to grow healthy and happy not forgetting giving themselves some much needed rest & relaxation time as well! Remember not everything will work overnight but relevant safety measures should always come first whilst practicing safe sleep practices pass utmost priority guidelines keeping in line safety recommendations of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Have more questions related? Feel free dropping them below...