Baby Care: 5 Sweet Slumber Tips

Putting baby to bed will be easier and less stressful if you stick to a pattern on a daily basis.

Sleep is not something you can force on someone, despite of how much you want or need them to drift off. However, following a routine that sets the mood for the night is a brilliant way of making sure that your baby knows that it's bedtime. Follow these tips to guide your bedtime ritual, although feel free to add your own, unique traditions.


Tip #1: Establish a regular sleeping time for your baby. Eight in the evening might be bedtime most nights, but if your baby is displaying signs of sleepiness earlier, put him to bed earlier. An overtired and restless baby is harder to settle and will be more likely to wake during the night.

Tip #2: Set calming daily rituals to prepare your baby to bed like warm bath, brushing teeth and gums, milk feeding, light massage, reading books and listening to music. A baby who has been bathed, dressed in clean and dry pajamas, had his diaper freshly changed and has a happy tummy really should have no reason not to feel sleepy. By trying your best to maintain the night time routine, your baby will come to know what to expect. And by the time you bring out the lavender oil, he will know it is time to lay his head down to sleep. The last feed should be accompanied by calmness, and an air of relaxation encouraged. Try to make time to feed your baby when you are not rushed with dinner, preparing lunches for the next day or trying to do dishes and help with older children's homework.

Tip #3: Exercise caution when choosing beddings. Make sure each item does not pose the risk of suffocating your baby.

Tip #4: Always keep all crib drop-sides up and locked in place whenever baby is in the crib. The crib should be positioned in a warm (or cool) spot in the room, should be clean and dry and arranged with the covers neatly tucked in.

Tip #5: Control the room lighting by using curtains and lamp shades to allow transition from active to peaceful sleeping time. It is even better if the baby's room has blinds or drapes that block the light from outside. Total darkness is not needed, just a little light present, for example from a night-light or a soft lamp is perfectly fine.

What to Expect When Your Baby Starts Crawling and Walking

Help your baby develop his coordination skills. Here are some mommy tips to share:

Crawling
Between 6 and 10 months, your baby will wiggle and stretch, then push himself up and take off. He may also shimmy, scoot on him bottom, or skip crawling entirely…lots of babies do. To help develop a crawler's coordination:

• Fill a baby proofed room with cushions and boxes he can crawl over, under, or through.
• Pump up some music, plop down on all fours next to him, and swing to the beat. He'll likely imitate you.

Cruising
Soon after he can stand, between 8 and 13 months, he'll most likely try taking steps while holding on to furniture. First he'll drag his feet sideways, but eventually he'll pick up his legs. To bring him closer to walking:

• Push furniture together so he can glide around a room.
• Stand him on your lap, then slowly move each of your legs up and down so he can get used to shifting his weight.

Walking
Between 9 and 14 months, your baby will let go of the couch and take his first steps. He may be unsteady at first, but to ease him along:

• Let him go barefoot so he can balance better.
• Stand a few feet away from him while holding a toy. With practice, he'll walk confidently toward you to grab it.

THE SPOILED BABY MYTH

Can you actually spoil a baby?

Your baby cries a lot and you're uptight. You're not sure if you're supposed to soothe him or let him weep.

You are not alone. Many parents know very little about what to expect from babies. Your motherly instinct may be to comfort him, while friends and relatives tell you "No, you'll spoil him." The question is can you spoil an infant?

Spoiling means teaching someone to expect that his every demand will be met each time he makes it. Babies under three months exist in the present. And because crying is your infant's only way of telling you something is wrong, you need to listen to him so he can begin to make the connection between his cries and your reassuring, which happens around 6 months of age. Even then, an older baby probably is incapable of manipulating you to get your attention.

Young babies should not have to wait for a response, either. Too much stress on an infant's nervous system such as crying continuously is not healthy for him development. After three to six months, you can try stalling your response a bit with a gentle "I'll be right there", but it's never a good idea for babies younger than 6 months to "cry it out."

So trust your gut -- pacify your new baby when he weeps. Turn a deaf ear to everyone's advice not to your baby's cries.