Reply To: Recent Issues

[Emma H]

Hi Jennifer,

It’s so good to hear you’ve found the course and the YT videos helpful.

Unfortunately, it’s quite common for babies to become more challenging to soothe to sleep overnight as they get older. In the newborn stage, they often fall asleep easily during feedings, but as they grow and become more aware of their surroundings, and start cycling through four stages of sleep, it can be harder to get them to fall and stay asleep after night feeds.

Before I can provide suggestions on how to address this and the daytime naps, I have a few questions:

• You mentioned your husband is more successful at transferring your little one to bed after overnight feeds. Have you noticed anything different in his approach or the techniques he uses?

• Regarding your bedtime routine (feed, nappy change, book, sleep sack, rocking, and lullabies), does he rock her to sleep after the lullaby? How do you usually help her fall asleep during the day and at bedtime?

• Does she use a pacifier?

• How many naps does she take during the day?

• Does she wake up at a consistent time each morning?

• Do you follow a wake, feed, play, sleep routine during the day?

• Is she breastfed or formula-fed? If breastfeeding, does she accept breastmilk from a bottle?

• What’s her general daily schedule like, including wake-up, nap times, and bedtime?

You also mentioned that she has woken up three times in the past week after just 30 minutes of sleep. This might just be a temporary phase. If it continues for more than two weeks, then it might be developing into a habit that we need to address. But, to prevent it from becoming a regular pattern, you could try a couple of things:

1. Ensure she is truly tired at bedtime. The timing of her last nap can significantly impact her nighttime sleep. As babies grow, they can stay awake longer between the last nap and bedtime. You might need to shorten her last nap or adjust her bedtime slightly to ensure she builds up enough sleep pressure to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. If she wakes after 30 minutes, listen carefully. If she calls out and then pauses before calling out again, give her some space to settle herself back to sleep. However, if her cries escalate in intensity without pauses, it’s best to go and soothe her back to sleep, keeping the room dark and quiet.

Thanks,

Emma