[Emma H]

Hi Angela!

It’s great to hear that you’ve been practicing the settling pyramid and that your little one can often fall asleep with shushing and patting.

Rolling over is a big milestone, and it’s understandable that it can disrupt her sleep routine.

Here are some suggestions to help manage this situation:

1. Encourage Rolling Skills: Keep practicing rolling during the daytime to help her become more comfortable and proficient at rolling back onto her back.

2. Safe Sleep Environment: Make sure her sleep environment is safe for tummy sleeping. Babies often prefer to sleep on their tummies once they learn to roll over, and as you’ve noticed, they often roll over while they’re sleeping. Since she’s likely to roll over, ensure her crib is free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. It’s also important that she is no longer swaddled, and the mattress she is sleeping on is firm and flat.

3. Minimise Nighttime Interventions: If she rolls onto her tummy and seems content and she is sleeping in a safe sleeping environment, it’s often best to let her stay in that position. If she becomes distressed, gently roll her back but try to minimise interaction to avoid further stimulating her.

4. Nursing to Sleep: When she wakes up early in the morning (around 5 am) after rolling onto her tummy, it can be challenging for her to go back to sleep. This is because her circadian rhythm is encouraging her to wake up, and her sleep pressure is low after 8-10 hours of sleep. So, if she wakes at this time, try rolling her back onto her back and settling her with patting and shushing or gentle rocking. If this doesn’t work, feeding her at this time is fine—just keep the lights off while doing so. I expect that once she becomes comfortable sleeping on her tummy, these early morning wakes should stop.

I hope these tips help!

Best, Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Lydia,

Before I give some suggestions, I was just wondering if you feel like your little one is always unsettled? So is he squirming/fussing all the time. Or would you say there are times (maybe in the early part of the day) that he is content and happy to be on the ground for a few seconds playing under a play gym or something?

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Elisa,

It’s wonderful to hear that your little one is able to fall asleep on her own in her crib.

Waking up between 6 – 7 am is quite common for babies, as their natural body clock tends to make them early risers. However, there are a few strategies you can try to encourage her to sleep a bit later. Keep in mind that these methods might not always work (because they are naturally early risers), but they are worth a try:

1. Gradually Shift Her Bedtime:

   • If you’re open to a slightly later bedtime, aim for 8:00 pm. Over the next week, gradually shift her bedtime later by 10-15 minutes every three days. This slow adjustment helps her body clock adapt. Once her bedtime reaches 8:00 pm, maintain this schedule for a few weeks to see if it influences her wake-up time.

2. Evening Light Exposure:

   • To support a later bedtime, keep the house lights on in the evening and only turn them off just before bedtime. This helps her stay awake and adjust to a later schedule.

3. Morning Light Exposure:

   • Gradually shift her wake-up time (the time you get her out of bed) by 10-15 minutes every three days until she is waking up at 6:30 am. During this period, keep her room dark and delay her first feed until 6:30 am. Avoid exposing her to light before her new wake-up time and refrain from feeding her earlier, as these can signal her internal body clock that it’s time to wake up. The room should be dark enough that you cannot read a book. If any light is seeping through (from under the bedroom door or from outside) try to block it. As any light entering the room at this time in the morning will encourage her to wake up.

4. Adjust Nap Times And Mealtimes:

   • To support the adjustments to her morning wake-up time and new bedtime, it’s beneficial to shift her entire schedule, including nap times and mealtimes. Gradually move these times later by 10-15 minutes every three days. Maintain this new schedule for a few weeks to allow her body clock to fully adapt.

Hopefully these help shift her wake up time back just a little!

Emma

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Emma H.

[Emma H]

Hi Natalee,

At nearly 7 months old, it’s common for babies to still need overnight feeds. As a rough guide, bottle-fed babies can generally start having their night feeds phased out from around 6 months of age. Breastfed babies may continue to wake for overnight feeds up until 12 months of age. If they are waking for feeds at this age, we would expect them to have a long stretch of sleep (around 5-8 hours) at the beginning of the night before waking for 1-2 feeds overnight.

Is your little one currently falling asleep on his own at the beginning of the night? If not, and you’re currently feeding him to sleep or rocking him in your arms, the first step would be helping him learn how to fall asleep on his own. Once he masters this skill, he will likely start having longer stretches of sleep at the start of the night, and the night feeds will naturally decrease.

If he is already falling asleep on his own and is waking consistently every 3 hours (which is the length of an overnight sleep cycle), I suggest continue to feed him when he wakes for hunger but gradually reduce any comfort feeding to encouraging longer stretches of sleep.

Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Record His Feeding Patterns for 2-3 Nights

To differentiate between hunger-driven and comfort-driven wakings, start by documenting each overnight feed for a couple of days. For breastfeeding, note the duration of each feed; for bottle feeding, record how much he drinks.

Step 2: Analyze the Feeding Data

Review the information to see which feeds were likely due to genuine hunger — indicated by longer breastfeeding times or higher amounts of milk consumed — and which were likely for comfort, shown by shorter feeds or less milk consumed.

Step 3: Gradually Reduce the Comfort Feeds

Now that you’ve identified which feeds are for comfort rather than hunger, gently reduce these comfort feeds by decreasing the duration of breastfeeding or the volume of bottle-feeding slightly each night.

• For Breastfeeding: Begin by shortening each comfort feed by about 1-2 minutes every night. Continue reducing the feeds until they last less than five minutes. Once they’re under 5 minutes, you can stop feeding and instead use the ‘Settling Pyramid’ to soothe him back to sleep.

• For Bottle-Feeding: Reduce the volume given during comfort feeds by 1/2 to 1 ounce each night. Continue reducing the amount until it’s less than 2 ounces. At that point, switch from feeding to using strategies from the ‘Settling Pyramid’ to help him drift back to sleep.

Does this make sense?

Best regards,

[Emma H]

Hi Natalee,

It’s great to hear that your little one is doing so well with his naps!

His resistance to the third nap, bedtime false starts, and occasional 5 am wake-ups could all be signs that he’s ready to drop that late afternoon nap. However, it might also indicate the need to extend his wake window again. Start by lengthening his wake windows to 2 1/2 hours. If he continues to resist the third nap and bedtime after this adjustment, it’s more likely that he has outgrown his need for the third nap and is ready to transition to two naps a day. Babies typically make this transition between 6-9 months, so it’s definitely not too early.

If this is the case, here are a few suggestions to help you navigate this period:

1. Adjust Wake Windows: When he drops his third nap, you will need to lengthen his wake windows again. Typically, the first wake period in the morning is the shortest. For instance, after waking up in the morning, he might stay awake for about 2 hours, then after the first nap, he might stay awake for 3 hours, and after the second nap, he could be awake for 4 hours before bedtime. So, if he wakes at 7 am, he might have his first nap at 9 am until 10:30/11 am, then his second nap might be at 1:30 pm until 3/3:30 pm, with bedtime around 6:30 pm.

2. Bedtime Adjustment: If dropping the third nap makes it difficult for him to reach his usual bedtime, consider moving his bedtime slightly earlier, to around 6:00 pm. Once he becomes comfortable with these longer wake windows, you can start to shift his bedtime to a later time if you prefer.

Remember, every baby is different, and it’s all about finding what works best for your little one. Feel free to adjust these suggestions based on his cues and responses.

I hope these tips help!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Emilia,

I haven’t been able to find any articles specifically stating whether the AAP or Red Nose Australia recommend or do not recommend SlumberPods. However, it’s important to note that SlumberPod themselves do not recommend their product for infants younger than 4 months, as the AAP advises that newborns should be closely monitored due to their vulnerability.

Additionally, other sources indicate that since the AAP recommends nothing should be over or in a child’s sleep space until age one, they do not endorse the use of SlumberPods for young infants.

If you do decide to use a SlumberPod with your little one while traveling, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Airflow: The limited airflow is one of the main concerns parents have about the SlumberPod. To address this SlumberPod has recently released a fan that can be placed in a pocket to increase airflow within the tent-like structure. This could be worth considering.

• Temperature: The SlumberPod can be warmer inside than the surrounding room. So make sure you monitor the temperature and dress your little one appropriately. It would also be worth considering opening the vents while your little one is sleeping overnight to increase airflow and help regulate the temperature. It’s also important to remember that the SlumberPod is only approved for indoor use only.

• Monitoring: Another concern is the inability to see and monitor your baby when they are underneath the SlumberPod. The latest SlumberPod design includes a pocket for a video monitor, which will allow you to keep an eye on your little one while they sleep, so that might be worth looking into.

I hope this helps!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Sarah,

It sounds like your little one is quite settled during sleep, which is fantastic! It’s great to hear that he’s sleeping through the night and his naps are going well.

It’s amazing what our baby devices can tell us! It might have suggested that your little one transition to a crib because, when a baby is close to learning to roll over (which can happen around 4 months of age), it’s recommended that they move to a crib for safety.

Given that your little one’s sleep is fairly consistent, the transition from a bassinet to a crib shouldn’t be too disruptive. The first sleep in the crib might be a bit challenging as he adjusts, but he should settle back into his usual routine within a day or two.

Here are some tips to help with the transition:

Timing the Transition:

It’s great that you already have a consistent bedtime. Try to make the transition when his sleep patterns are stable. If his current sleep routine is unpredictable, you might want to wait until it evens out. However, if he’s already rolling over, it’s best to start the transition now.

Familiarize Him with the Crib:

Let him play in the Newton travel crib during the day so he becomes familiar with it. This can help make the transition smoother.

Maintain a Consistent Routine:

Stick to your usual bedtime and nap routines as much as possible. Familiar steps like a bath, story, or lullaby will signal that it’s time to sleep, regardless of the sleeping environment. If he needs extra help the first night, that’s okay, but try to avoid introducing new sleep associations. For example, avoid feeding him to sleep if that’s not part of your usual routine.

Comfort and Safety:

Use the same sleep sack or swaddle that he’s used to in his current sleep space, as this will also signal to him that it’s time to sleep.

Position the Crib in the Same Spot:

If possible place the Newton travel crib where the bassinet used to be. This will ensure that the surroundings are familiar when he looks up, which can help ease the transition.

Be Patient with the Adjustment Period:

It’s normal for there to be an adjustment period. He might have a few nights or naps where he struggles more than usual. Be consistent (so respond how you usually do) and patient; he’ll adapt with time.

I hope these tips help make the transition smoother for both of you!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Simona,

It’s great to hear that your little one is taking all his naps in the crib!

It’s completely normal for infants to have catnaps at this age. Once your little one learns to fall asleep on his own in his crib, he will naturally start lengthening his naps when he is developmentally ready, which is usually around 5 – 6 months of age. So when you have the energy, it would be great if you could start trying the full settling pyramid to help him learn this skill.

In the meantime, if he wakes up from a short nap and you can help him fall back asleep (and you’re comfortable doing so), you could try it for a few days to see if it improves his overnight sleep. If you choose to do this, I recommend focusing on the first 2 naps of the day, ensuring that the last nap is just a short catnap. Eventually, the goal is for the first and second naps to be longer, with the last nap of the day being a brief catnap.

When you start using the full settling pyramid, if you decide to use a pacifier, I recommend giving it to him at the start of the sleep routine but removing it just before placing him in the crib or before he falls asleep. So, the second option I outlined in my response above. I recommend you remove it just before you place him in the crib or before he drifts off to sleep because I think the pacifier falling out is making it challenging for him to fall asleep and causing him to wake up fully between sleep cycles. Unfortunately, he won’t have the fine motor skills to put the dummy back in his mouth until he is around 7 – 8 months of age. Therefore, if it does fall out while he is trying to go to sleep or between sleep cycles, he will call out to you to come and put it back in. Because of this, we want to teach him how to fall asleep without the pacifier. So when I say fade out, I mean the goal would be not to use the pacifier for sleep in the future.

Waking every 40 minutes at the beginning of the night is not something I would typically expect. Are you able to update me on what his daytime naps now look like, what time is bedtime, and what is happening overnight in general? Also, when he wakes 40 minutes after bedtime and continues to do so until midnight, how are you helping him fall back to sleep, or is he staying awake for a full wake window?

Another thing to consider is that around 4 months of age, bedtime often starts to shift earlier. It might be worth trying to move his bedtime slightly earlier to see if it eliminates these frequent wake-ups.

I hope this helps!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Sarah,

If your little one has suddenly started waking up during the night and staying awake, there are a few things to consider:

• Total Sleep Needs: If he wakes for a full feed and then stays awake for an entire wake window, it might indicate that he needs to build up sleep pressure to fall back asleep. This could mean he has reached his total sleep needs. So, it is important to look at the amount of daytime sleep he has and adjust that if needed.
• Timing of the Last Nap: Ensure the final nap of the day ends early enough for him to build sufficient sleep pressure before bedtime. This might mean capping the late afternoon nap to provide a longer wake window.
• Consider Dropping a Nap: When babies are ready to drop a nap but haven’t yet done so, they can experience stretches of wakefulness during the night. At this age, babies typically take 3-4 naps per day. If your baby still has 4 or more naps a day but has established a routine with two longer naps (one in the early morning and another around midday), he might only need 3 naps a day. You may need to help him transition to fewer naps by gently eliminating one.
• How He Falls Asleep: If he falls asleep while feeding or in your arms, it may be worth trying to help him learn to fall asleep on his own in the crib. Using the settling pyramid method can help with this. Once he can fall asleep independently, he might stop waking during the night.
• Consistency: Learning to roll over might be impacting his sleep and resulting in this early morning wake. To ensure his safety during this time, it’s important to transition him out of the swaddle (if you haven’t already) and make sure he is sleeping on a firm, flat mattress free from loose bedding, soft toys, crib bumpers, etc. Once he learns to roll over, you may find he prefers to sleep on his tummy.
• Consistent Wake-Up Time: Establish a consistent morning wake-up time (if you haven’t already). This will help regulate his circadian rhythm and keep bedtime consistent. It will also help him naturally fall into a napping schedule.
• Boring Nighttime Environment: When he wakes overnight, keep the environment dark and interactions minimal. Use a red light if needed. This teaches him that nighttime is for sleeping, not playtime. Avoid turning on bright lights or engaging in play, as this can reinforce nighttime wakefulness and affect his circadian rhythm.

I hope these tips help!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Anastasia,

You’re absolutely right. Both the AAP and Red Nose Australia state that once a baby can roll from their back to their tummy and vice versa, it’s safe to leave them to sleep in their preferred position, even if it’s on their tummy.

But, you may notice that your little one prefers to sleep on his side or tummy now that he has learnt to roll over. Many doctors agree that once a baby is strong enough to roll over, they have the strength to lift or turn their head while sleeping on their tummy, so there is no need to intervene.

If your doctor is happy for your little one to sleep on this tummy, it’s important to follow these guidelines:

• Until his first birthday, always place him on his back to sleep initially, but let him find their own comfortable position.
• Ensure the cot mattress is firm, flat (not tilted or elevated), and covered only with a fitted sheet.
• Keep the cot free from loose or soft items, such as pillows, loose blankets, toys, and cot bumpers.
• Use a sleeping bag or sleep sack instead of swaddling him.
• Continue providing tummy time when he is awake. This helps develop stronger neck and upper body muscles, enabling him to develop the strength to roll back over.

I hope this helps!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Elen,

I’m glad to hear you enjoyed seeing family!

It does sound like the pooping might be disrupting her sleep. Is this happening every single day or just a few days a week? Also, have you noticed if she falls asleep and then wakes up to poop, or if she doesn’t fall asleep and then poops? One way to find out is by watching her over the monitor. You can usually tell when they are pooping by their posture and the sounds they make.

If you notice that she has pooped right after you put her to bed, you can go in, change her, and then redo the sleep routine before placing her back in the crib. If you find that the poops happen close to the time you are putting her down for a nap, consider shifting her nap time back a little so that she poops before you put her down (generally the poop will happen at the same time each day).

You could also try shifting her lunch time slightly earlier, aiming for lunch around 11:00-11:30 AM, and see if this changes the timing of her pooping. This might allow you to shift her nap time earlier again, which could help with her overall sleep routine.

It’s really common for toddlers to wake up crying from naps. Here are a few things to consider:

• Immediate Response: If she wakes up crying, it’s okay to go to her and comfort her. She might just need some reassurance.
• Self-Soothing: If she seems okay but is just fussing a bit, you can give her a few minutes to see if she settles on her own before going in.
• Post-Nap Routine: If breastfeeding or a bit of cuddling helps her calm down after waking, that’s perfectly fine.

If she doesn’t nap at all, offer an early bedtime to make up for the lost nap. This can help prevent her from becoming overtired.

I hope this help!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Maddie,

I’m so sorry to hear that teething has been so rough.

Teething can definitely disrupt sleep, and it’s understandable that you’re doing everything you can to comfort your little one.

I wouldn’t be too concerned about creating a new sleep association at this point. Since she is going down for naps and bedtime as usual, it shows she knows how to fall asleep on her own, which is fantastic.

I would expect that once the teeth pop through and the teething pain resolves, the time between night wakings will lengthen again.

To help her through this stage there are a few things you can try:

1. Pain Management: It’s great that you’re using painkillers. If you feel that the pain relief is wearing off before the recommended time, you can consider alternating between ibuprofen (Nurofen) and paracetamol to ensure your little one has continuous pain relief throughout the night. If you’re interested in this approach, please talk to your little one’s doctor about how to do this safely. Additionally, you might try cold teething rings or gently rubbing your baby’s gums before bedtime to help ease the discomfort.

2. Try Comforting Without Feeding: When she initially wakes up at night, see if you can comfort her and get her back to sleep by rocking her in your arms instead of feeding her. This will help reduce the number of night feeds and lower the chances that she will continue to wake up at these times due to hunger once the teething pain has resolved. However, if you can’t get her to fall asleep this way, then go ahead and feed her.

3. Gradual Withdrawal: If she doesn’t naturally start to extend the time between overnight feeds once her teeth pop through, you can help her do this by slowly reducing the amount of time you hold or feed her over several nights until she can settle more on her own.

4. Remember, teething is temporary. Once the pain subsides, you can gently work on re-establishing any routines that might have been disrupted. Babies are resilient and can adapt, so don’t worry too much about bad habits at this stage.

I hope this helps!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi!

It sounds like she might be starting to drop her 3rd nap of the day? If that is the case, then you do want to move the bedtime earlier (so 7pm). I would only keep bedtime at 8pm if she is having her 3rd nap and waking at 4:30pm.

Does that make sense?
Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Elen,

I hope you enjoyed your trip away with your extended family!

Regarding your little one’s naps, have you noticed if there is a consistent time she poops after lunch? It might be helpful to note the time she eats and the time she poops to see if there is a pattern. This can help determine if you need to shift her nap time later or her mealtime earlier.

Each child has different sleep needs, so while some children can handle being awake from 6:30am until 1pm, for others it may be too long. To determine if this wake time is too long for your little one, look for signs of overtiredness. These signs include being more clingy than usual, crying or becoming upset more frequently, increased clumsiness, or rubbing her eyes etc. If she exhibits these signs, she might benefit from an earlier nap time.

However, if she’s mainly talking to herself when you put her in the crib and then falls asleep around 1-1:10 pm, it suggests she’s not overly tired. In this case, try shifting her nap time to 12:45pm/1pm to see if she falls asleep more easily.

Napping for 60-90 minutes is okay, especially if she’s happy in the afternoon after waking up (not necessarily immediately, as some kids take a while to wake up!). If she’s grumpy all afternoon (and not unwell), it suggests she’s still tired, and would benefit from a longer nap.

At this age, 12-15 hours (+/- 2 hours) of sleep in 24 hours is typical. If your little one is generally happy, it suggests she’s getting the sleep she needs and may have a lower sleep requirement, which is perfectly fine.

Since the 5am wakes have just started, it’s hard to say if it’s a pattern yet. But if you notice that she continues to wake at 5am and doesn’t go back to sleep even after a feed or comforting, it might suggest she’s had all the sleep she needs overnight. In that case, you might need to reconsider her bedtime and possibly shift it to a later time.

Does this make sense?

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Katerina,

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.

It seems like giving her a feed when she wakes at 4:30/5am is working well, as she falls back to sleep afterward. She might be waking because she’s hungry. If you’re comfortable with it, I recommend continuing to feed her if she wakes at this time. In the meantime, consider the following:

• If she wakes before 6am: Wait, watch, and listen. If she isn’t calling out and you’re comfortable with it, leave her be. She might just be stirring and could fall back to sleep on her own. The potential issue is if you go to pick her up too soon, you might wake her fully, making it harder for her to fall back asleep.

• If she’s awake and calling out: Go to her and feed her, keeping the room dark and quiet. After feeding, place her back in the crib to continue sleeping.

• If she wakes after 6am: Consider getting her out of bed, as a wake-up time between 6am and 7am is typical for babies.

• Bedtime routine: Continue putting her to bed at 8pm for the next few nights and keep the lights bright until bedtime. This will help shift her circadian rhythm. We’re aiming to move her wake-up time later, and adjusting her bedtime is key. This shift can take at least 3 days, so don’t expect immediate changes. You might initially see small changes, such as waking at 5:45am instead of 5:30am, gradually getting later.

• Monitor her naps: You mentioned that her naps are lengthening, which is a good sign. If the first and second naps become consistently longer, consider if it’s time to drop the late afternoon nap, especially if she doesn’t do it herself. Babies typically drop the third nap between 6-9 months of age. If she starts waking earlier in the morning and doesn’t go back to sleep after a feed, it might be a sign that she’s ready to drop the third nap.

Does this sound doable?

Emma