3 Best Sleep Aids for Baby Bedtime

From my experience, there’s nothing quite like a sleep aid. As with most things, some things I learned about baby bedtime was discovered … by accident. Here are some proven (for baby D, at least!) sleep aids that are guaranteed to give a good night’s rest.

A soothing nighttime warm bath. There’s this unique feeling of light giggles following whenever I give baby D a bath. There are several things you could do to make the bath more enjoyable for the baby. Light touches, tickling, just the right temperature of water --- it all adds up to this bonding moment between you and your child. If done on a nightly basis, this could also set into the baby’s mind that bedtime’s about to come.

Bedtime Stories – Just after baby’s warm nighttime bath, you could tell bedtime stories. Get the baby settled into a nice, comfortable position, select books with a slower pace and start reading. Soften your words as you tell the story to the baby, and given the book’s slower pace, it creates a calming effect for the baby. Try looking for books like Goodnight Moon.

Lullabies – Carry the child on your arms, then start singing a soft, sweet lullaby. Take notes of the baby’s needs --- does he like hugging a favorite stuffed toy while being sang to? Does he like being covered in a warm blanket? What works for me is I gradually lower and slower my voice as I sing the lullaby --- and baby D just naturally follows the rhythm ‘til she falls asleep.

Those are my top 3 sleep aids to get baby to sleep. To maximize the effect, create an environment for the baby to relax in. If you need a couple of ideas on giving baths, touch therapy/light massages, stories and lullabies, check out Baby Bedtime Center’s collection of sleep aids. Happy snoring!

(Article contributed by Mommy D)

Facts and Tips on Baby's Sleep

Newborns sleep 16 or more hours a day, but often in stretches of just one to two hours at a time. Although the pattern may be erratic at first, a more consistent sleep schedule will emerge as your baby's nervous system matures and he or she goes longer between feedings.

By age 3 months, many babies sleep at least five hours at a time. By age 6 months, nighttime stretches of nine to 12 hours are possible.

A funny thing to keep in mind when your baby is a few months old is that somewhere at the age around 3 to 5 months, many babies start with a 2-3-4 awake schedule. That is, in the morning baby is awake for 2 hours before the first nap, then 3 hour around lunchand then finally 4 hours before bedtime.

So, if your looking for some kind of routines with your baby, this can be a god start. But again, all babies are different, so whatever you do, don't focus too much on the clock rather than on your baby's (and your) well-being.

To continue, please read on the following:

1. Does your baby sleep well at night

2. The importance of sleep

3. Growth and Sleep

4. All About Bedtime

5. Bedtime Routine

6. Sleep toolbox

7 Ways to Bond with Kids Despite your Busy Schedule

Considering the schedule of today’s busy moms and dads, it’s often hard to find time for that much-needed ‘mommy-daughter’ or ‘mommy-son’ bonding and ‘daddy-daughter’ or ‘daddy-son’ bonding. More often than not, moms/dads are too busy preparing for work in the morning, or too tired for anything else when they get home at night. Of course, that’s hardly an excuse since spending time with children must be a priority.

Here are some tips on how to make the best out of your bonding moments with your kids:

1. When cooking or preparing dinner

Ask your kids to help you in preparing the ingredients. In this way you can teach them how to cook and at the same time, you can bond with them. You can ask them how their day was, what things they accomplished and commend them with a “job well done” so they would be more inspired to accomplish other things

2. Get Physical

Another enjoyable and worthwhile bonding activity is to exercise together. Not only will doing this improve your health and teach your kids a healthy habit, it’s also one way to explore nature.

3. Grocery Day

Ask them to accompany you when going to the grocery; this will give you the chance to teach them how to pick fresh vegetables, fruits, and other stuff. At the same time they may also pick their own snacks.

4. Study Habits

Studying is not always a time of stress. It can be a way for you and your kids to bond.

While other kids or rather most of the kids always wanted to play, they let pass their assignments and to study for their quizzes/Exams. Personally I find it effective that mixing a real situation while studying or making a little game while studying. Commend them as well when they got High grades that they’ll be more motivated to achieve higher grade.

5. Traveling

Here in the Philippines, you’ll encounter traffic most of the time, which is very common. You can grab the opportunity by interacting with them, ask them how they are, ask them what they did that day or in school, share your experience.

6. Church

Go to church with them, introduce God to them so that they may know Him. This way, your kids would be God fearing.

7. Going to sleep

Pray with them before going to sleep and tell stories (bible stories, Fairy Tales, etc.) or talk them to sleep.

For more detailed information on specific age, activities etc, I recommend you visit this website.

Secrets in Making Your Baby Fall Asleep

Who doesn't like sleep?

All living creatures need it. It's a way to regenerate cells and refresh the mind to aid the development of our health.

If we adults need sleep, babies need sleep badly too! In their sleeping, they develop muscle, limbs and skeletal structure. In order to achieve a good night's sleep for your baby, here are some secrets:

Choosing the bedding:
- Bedding should be inviting
- Bed shoud be cozy
- Bedding should be soft

Bedtime routine
- Just read this >> http://bit.ly/4fJcjU

..and countless other ways you can help your baby fall asleep and even share bonding moments in the process! (read more here)