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routine when we’re on holidays or staying with the
grandparents.”
Still awake?
While many babies will have discovered their
own sleeping routine and rhythm over the last few
months, some are still waking frequently. Friends
and family may be offering advice and parenting
wisdom, but it is true that each child – and parent
– is different, so it’s important for you to find what
works best for your family.
When it comes to sleep and problems with waking,
the most important thing you will need is patience.
Enlist support from your partner, friends or family
to make sure you’re getting some rest time to
recharge. Remember that it won’t last forever,
you are not on your own, and soon your baby
will be snoozing peacefully through the night.
Get FREE advice from our sleep
expert on eumom.ie
TWO OF THE MOST COMMON
OPTIONS INCLUDE:
Pick up, put down’ – when your child cries,
‘
you go in quietly and pick him up with a
reassuring ‘shhh’, rubbing his back and
calming him down until he is soothed.
As soon as he has stopped crying, put him
back into his cot and repeat as needed.
The important element here is putting
him back down to settle on his own, while
offering reassurance as he does so. Yes, it
may take repeated pick ups each evening
for days or weeks until your baby learns to
settle himself to sleep, but many parents
find it a gentle, workable solution.
Controlled crying – when your child cries,
go in and reassure him, then leave the
room. Wait a minute or two before going
back in, then leave slightly longer periods
between each return. This method is not
recommended for children under six
months, and does require a lot of restraint
– but parents who have followed through
with it find that it only takes a few nights
to see results.
nurture from eumom.ie