While SnugLit can help make jaundice treatment less stressful, having a newborn can still come with a lot of struggles. Here at TheraB Medical, we want to help you focus on enjoying your time with your newborn, rather than worrying about how to get them to fall asleep. Here are some tips for when it seems like no matter what you do you just can’t get your newborn to sleep! Be patient First of all, be patient! It can be exhausting to try to predict your baby’s sleeping pattern at first. It can also take a while for any kind of pattern to begin, so try not to beat yourself up if this seems super unpredictable early on. Swaddle Swaddling your baby can help them feel more secure — as if they’re still in the womb. Not only can it help soothe an upset baby, but it can also calm them down if they are feeling overstimulated. Follow Your Baby’s Lead Sometimes the easiest way to get your baby to fall asleep is to simply pay attention to what’s going on when they do finally fall asleep. For example, some babies like to use a pacifier, some like a rocking chair, and some fall asleep while eating. Every baby is different so you may just need to pay attention to what seems to work best for them! Feed a Little Extra Before Nighttime To help ensure a longer night’s sleep, try to encourage your baby to feed a little more during their last feeding before bedtime. Since they eat every couple of hours, this might be able to prolong their first wake up a little longer! Designate a Sleeping Area Giving your baby a designated spot to sleep can help ensure that that any unforeseen events won't wake them up. This also allows them to have their own area where they can truly rest and recharge. Start a Sleeping Routine Starting a sleeping routine is a great way to ensure that your baby feels calm and secure before falling asleep. This could mean reading a book, getting a gentle massage, or listening to lullabies. Use Dark and Light Cues Using dark and light cues can be a great way to get your baby into a normal sleep pattern. These can help synchronize your baby’s circadian rhythm with the natural 24-hour daylight and darkness cycle. By keeping it dim when it’s time to go to sleep and keeping it bright while they’re up and playing, they can begin to fall into this cycle. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.
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While SnugLit can help make jaundice treatment less stressful, having a newborn can still be pretty exhausting! Here at TheraB Medical, we want to help ease your stress in any way we can so that you can get back to focusing on the joy that a new baby brings. Here are some suggestions for when it seems like no matter what you do, you just can’t calm your newborn. Swaddling Swaddling your baby can help them feel more secure. Not only can it help soothe a crying baby but also lead to longer and sounder sleep. Entertain Your Baby Providing enough stimuli can sometimes actually distract your baby from crying. This could mean showing them an interesting toy, song, or tv show. Sometimes you can actually even show your baby a recording of them crying or mock them to capture their attention! Background Noise Babies can feel much calmer when they hear sounds that remind them of being in the womb. These include the sounds of a fan, noise machine, lullabies, or even sounds from an app on your phone. Add Some Movement When babies are in the womb, they are constantly feeling the motion that goes along with it. You can help relax them with this familiar movement in a number of different ways. These could include rocking them in a chair, using a glider or swing, or even going for a car ride. Use a Pacifier Using a pacifier is a great way to soothe a fussy baby. It can also provide a distraction from crying long enough for your baby to calm down. Check Their Clothes Sometimes the problem can be as simple as having uncomfortable clothes on. They might have a diaper or article of clothing on that’s too tight. Their clothes might also be too hot or a part of them might be too exposed, making them cold. Give a Massage Just like adults, babies can feel much calmer after having a gentle massage. Softly stroking the sides of their face or down their nose can also help calm them and may even make them fall asleep. Try the “Football Hold” Some babies are especially prone to getting gas. The “Football Hold” is one position that can help alleviate the pain they may be feeling from being gassy. This entails holding them with their stomach facing downwards, directly on top of your forearm, and their head near your elbow. This helps add pressure to their stomach, so they don’t feel as much pain from having gas. Be sure you’re using your other arm to hold them securely and comfortably. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns. |
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