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Hi Pav,
I’m so glad to hear that the later bedtime is working well for you and that the video on purple crying resonated with your experience. It sounds like you’re making wonderful progress!
To determine when to make bedtime earlier, keep an eye out for signs that your baby is getting sleepy earlier in the evening and settling into a deep sleep—meaning they sleep for a few hours before waking for a feed, rather than waking every 30-45 minutes or less. When you see these patterns consistently, it’s a good indication that your baby might be ready for an earlier bedtime. You can gradually adjust bedtime by moving it earlier in 10-15 minute increments every few days until you reach the desired time.
Do keep in mind that babies generally sleep for a maximum of 10-12 hours overnight. Given that your little one wakes around 7/7:30 am, aiming for a bedtime of 7-7:30 pm would be the earliest I’d recommend.
Also, remember that bedtime will start to creep forward and settle to a consistent and generally earlier time by 4 months.
As for swaddling, it’s best to start transitioning out of it when your baby begins showing early signs of learning to roll over (N.B. Most babies learn to roll over between 4 – 7 months). These signs include:
- They’re starting to roll onto their shoulders or side, which you might see during playtime or diaper changes.
- They’re kicking their legs and moving around in a circle while on their back. This shows that your baby is developing the strength and coordination they need to roll over.
- They’re moving their hips from side to side and using their legs to lift their hips. This means that your baby is getting better control over their body and is preparing to roll over.
In the video titled “How to Dress Your Baby For Better Sleep,” I demonstrate these early signs and guide how to transition from a swaddle to arms out. If you haven’t watched it yet, I recommend giving it a look.
I hope this helps!
Emma