Sleeping Through The Night?

Monkey Stars is a family run business. I am a mother of two babies, one of seven months and my other is two years old. I have read every online article and tip around on how to help baby sleep through the night. Finally though, I realised that it is actually quite rare for a baby to totally sleep through... despite those mums at the baby and toddler group who boast that 'little Sebastian has slept 15 hours a night since he was two days old'. Firstly, nightwaking is an important survival mechanism for young babies. In the first few months, babies' needs are at there highest, but their ability to communicate their needs is at its lowest. Young babies seldom sleep for more than four-hour stretches without needing a feed. As they get older, their needs are different. They go through periods of anxiety, start teething or have numerous colds to contend with. Once I embraced the notion that my nights would be never be the same as when before I had kids, things seemed to feel a lot better.

 My kids still wake up during the night but there are things I use and things I do to make those wakenings short and dreamy. I have compiled a list of tips and products that work for me.. 

• You've heard it a hundred times already.. use a simple bedtime routine. Turn the TV and light down low, maybe a warm bath and snuggle up with a milky drink and a story. For younger babies, a little massage with some soothing lavender baby oil can work magic.We love good old Johnson's Baby Oil, Lavender. Another thing I often do is to dilute some lavender essential oil with some sweet almond oil and dab a little on the wooden part of the cot / bed. Keep it clear of any sheets or other fabric parts as it may stain. Also, don't over do it or it may smell like the inside of granny's handbag! Anything too strong is more likely to upset baby so remember that 'less is more' and try to create a little sleepy haven of gentle, atmospheric and relaxing smells.

• Use a sleeping bag. This is an essential product in your armory against unecessary night wakenings. No more kicking covers and blankets off and waking up cold.. and no more parent paranoia that baby has his head under the cot quilt. You can sleep better knowing that he is safe and sound and able to roll around as much as he likes and still be toasty warm. They come in a range of togs to suit all seasons and are available in baby to toddler sizes. We have loads in our store!

• My youngest baby is an early riser.. He would love to get up and get on with crawling practise and have me cheer him on at 5.30am! Thankfully I have found a way to keep him snoozing for a little while longer. I now ALWAYS change his nappy during his night feed. That way his nappy is still quite dry during that vulnerable early morning 'get up and bounce' period and often he'll just shuffle around a bit and doze back off...  Zzzzzzzzzzz. Its always a challenge too if you or your partner has to leave early to go to work. Its a tense moment listening as our other half tip-toes around the house, trying not to wake the baby. Every noise in the quiet, early morning seems amplified. In the kitchen the cupboards and drawers slam and you swear you can hear every spoonful of cereal being crunched. Well, I can't help you with the latter, but I do recommend soft door closers for your kitchen cupboard doors and drawers. They are inexpensive and do tone down the general noise. They may also save you in dentist bills as you won't be upstairs grinding your teeth and silently cursing.

• Use a comforter. Both of my babies love rubbling their cheeks with some thing soft. It probably best to buy at least two. That way if the first 'raggedy rabbit' is covered in jam or, even worse, lost - then you always have a spare one to hand a crucial moments.

I won't promise that these tips will get your baby to sleep through the night, but they may help stop any unecessary wakenings which is a great step in the right direction. Remember though - you are a parent. Your little darlings will give you sleepless night for YEARS to come!