Your infant will most likely begin sleeping in your room. It’s not only the safest environment for your baby, but it’s also an excellent method to strengthen your parent-child connection. It’s also helpful to have him nearby for those late-night feedings. However, you’ll need to move him out of your room and into his own at some point.
Because having a baby sleep close by is a source of comfort for both of you, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages room sharing for at least the first six months. You’ll be able to tell if your baby is having trouble, and simply staying near her lowers the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Around 6-7 months is the most significant time to put your infant in a separate room. Following that, infants become much more sensitive to the details of their surroundings and may struggle to adjust to the change. Furthermore, at the age of eight months, many newborns become aware of genuine care, even when no one is around. As a result, if they’re used to having company in their room but now find themselves completely alone, this can be an issue.
Separation anxiety is particularly stressful for babies who are sensitive or cautious. Continue reading for a few pointers on making the transition to a separate room easier for your infant.
Tips for Making Baby Sleep in a Separate Room
Anxiety, nervousness, and distractions are all reasons that can bring your child from her bed directly into yours. You can, fortunately, break this bedtime habit. Here’s how to get your child used to sleeping in his or her room.
Set Up Baby’s Room
First and foremost, the baby’s room must be set up for safe sleeping. That means using a crib with a firm mattress and fitted sheet and keeping bumpers, toys, and blankets out of the way. But, the importance of a crib and crib mattress lies in the fact that they are the best investments you can make for your child. Blackout window shades and a white noise machine are also recommended.
Start transitioning the baby to the crib once everything is in place by taking naps in the nursery to get him used to sleeping in the new location. Allow the baby to sleep in his room overnight once he’s gotten the hang of it.
Invest in a Video Monitor
You are not required to purchase the most expensive version, as most of the video monitors can be highly beneficial. Babies move a lot, yet they don’t always require our assistance. When transitioning between sleep cycles, some people create a certain amount of noise.
It’s a natural parenting inclination to walk in to check on your baby visually if you only have the luxury of sound on your monitor. However, it can often annoy a small child who is repositioning. With a video monitor, you can keep an eye on your child and see if they need you to step in and assist them in any way or if they are becoming comfortable and falling back down to sleep.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
A successful transition requires having a sleep schedule and sticking to it. Dim the lights and read a story before going into the room to change the diaper, then turn the lights off and sing a lullaby while rocking the baby to sleep. Finally, gently place the baby in the crib while smiling, and then exit the room. These signs are crucial in letting the baby know that sleep is on the way and that it will happen in that warm atmosphere.
Establish a Sense of Security
At nighttime, your infant may be wide-eyed due to your absence or the fear of a monster hiding beneath the bed. Assist her in transitioning from sleep to wakefulness by calming her concerns. You can utilize teddy animals, blankets, or even a neighboring goldfish tank as calming materials. Allow another person to be there in the room to reassure your child.
Remain Calm and Persistent
Try sitting on the floor or a chair in the room if your infant follows you out of the room instead of waiting until you’ve left to get out of bed. Keep a careful eye on them and stay close to the bed to comfort them of your presence physically and make it easier to replace them without exhausting yourself.
Allowing your child to sit in your lap or be out of the crib is not a good idea. Tell them only once that you’re going to sit there and that they must stay in bed. Wait them out instead of continuing to communicate. No matter how tempting it may seem, do not sleep on the floor next to the bed or get into the bed. Leave the room once your toddler has fallen asleep.
Be Consistent
As a new parent, you’ll hear it all the time, but be consistent. Your infant will be puzzled and at a loss for what to do if you deviate from your schedule or become inconsistent. The more constant you are, the more confident the baby will be in their ability to know what to do and enjoy their step routine.
Acknowledge Your Child’s Fears and Anxieties
Don’t discount your child’s fears and anxiety too quickly. They may be afraid of monsters, being alone, hearing loud noises, or even having nightmares. Find out what’s troubling them and talk about it with them, so they feel comfortable.
You have a couple of options if you’re afraid of monsters. Some parents suggest amusing their children by making “monster sprays” ward off monsters or conversing with the monsters and telling them to leave. Some parents choose to reassure their children that monsters do not exist. Remind your youngster that you’ll see them first thing in the morning because you’re at home, not far away.
It’s crucial to stick to your guns and stick to your decision to shift rooms, especially as your child becomes older. A newborn has no idea where they are, but a six-month-old baby is considerably more aware of their surroundings. You can still make adjustments at this time, but your kid may protest more than they did when they were a newborn.
Photo by Fé Ngô on Unsplash
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