Sleep is crucial for babies because it’s during sleep that much of their physical and brain development happens. Sleep helps form neural connections, boosts the immune system and positive sleep routines in babies helps to develop their circadian rhythm, which affects long-term infant sleep patterns.
Your baby will develop and have their own newborn sleep schedule and patterns of waking and sleeping, and it’s unlikely to be the same as other babies you know. Some babies sleep much more than others. Some sleep for long periods, others in short bursts. Some soon sleep through the night, while some do not for a long time. If you’re breastfeeding, in the early weeks, your baby is likely to doze off for short periods during a feed. Carry on feeding until you think your baby has finished or until they’re fully asleep. For more advice on managing breastfeeding as you transition back to work, check out our tips for breastfeeding parents.
If you’re not sleeping at the same time as your baby, do not worry about keeping the house silent while they sleep. It’s good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise. This greatly helps when attending nursery, as whilst we try and keep our nurseries as quiet as possible, this isn’t always achievable.
One key to promoting a positive newborn sleep routine is teaching your baby the difference between night and day. During the day, open curtains, play games and do not worry about everyday noises when they sleep. At night, as you approach baby bed time, you might find it helpful to:
- Keep the lights down low
- Not talk too much or keep your voice quiet
- Put your baby down as soon as they’ve been fed and changed
- Not change your baby unless they need it
- Not play with your baby
Your baby will gradually learn that night-time is for sleeping. To further support this, we recommend establishing a baby bedtime routine. This could include:
- Bathe baby
- Brush their teeth (if they have any)
- Change into night clothes and a fresh nappy
- Dim the lights
- Read a story
- Give a goodnight kiss and cuddle
- Sing a lullaby or have a musical mobile you can turn on once you’ve put your baby to bed
- White noise
A bedtime routine is a great opportunity to introduce lots of positive and new language and really bond with your baby. As your child gets older, it can be helpful to keep a similar bedtime routine. Too much excitement and stimulation just before bedtime can wake your child up again. Spend time winding down and doing some calmer activities, like reading. New parents can find more helpful advice in our guide for first-time parents.
All babies change their infant sleep patterns. Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. Remember that growth spurts, teething and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps. If attending nursery, keep your child’s key person updated with your baby’s sleep pattern so we can best support you.
At Cherubs Nurseries, we promote safer sleeping – much of which you can implement and follow at home. These include:
- Babies under 6-months should sleep on their backs, in a separate sleep space like a cot or Moses basket with a firm, flat mattress. Sleeping a bay on their front or side greatly increases their chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Tummy sleeping can block or narrow the baby’s airway.
- Room temperature should be between 16-20 degrees and babies should be appropriately dressed. Use a thermometer in the room where your baby will sleep. Think about how hot certain clothes can be such as long-sleeved t-shirts, trousers and thick jumpers.
- Regular checks should be made to monitor the child’s breathing and to ensure they are not overheating. The best way to check a baby’s temperature is by putting your hand on the skin of their chest or the back of their neck. Do not use their hands or feet as a guide, as they will always feel cooler than the rest of the body.
- Keep the baby’s head uncovered and tuck their blankets no higher than their shoulders. Remember that one blanket doubled-over counts as two blankets!
- We advise that babies should not sleep in a seated or inclined position such as pushchairs or buggies. Ensure the equipment you are using for sleeping has passed necessary safety checks.
- Keep a clear cot/sleeping area – no pillows or duvets, bumpers soft toys, loose bedding or products such as wedges or straps – designed to keep the baby in one sleeping position.
How do we promote positive sleep routines at Cherubs Nurseries?
- Our Early Years Educators will work with you to ensure we assist with positive sleep patterns whilst at nursery – especially for those who are with us for a full-day.
- We train all our Early Years Educators in Safer Sleep practices and have specific Baby Training for those working with our youngest children.
- We regularly review our sleeping practices and policies, in response to changing legislation and the latest research.
- From 24-months onwards, we will work even closer with you to begin to wean children off sleeping whilst they’re at nursery. We believe that from this age, sleep at nursery is generally not necessary. We are committed to giving children maximum learning and development opportunities whilst with this.
For more guidance on balancing nursery and work life, explore our advice for working parents.
If you’ve found this blog post useful and are looking for a nursery place in the East Midlands, we have 12 nurseries including Day Nursery Nottingham, Mansfield, Worksop and Derby. Call our Parent Experience Team on 0330 0553373 or email enquiries@cherubsnurseries.com to find out more.
