Navigating newborn sleep can be a daunting task for any parent. With conflicting advice from various sources, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, there's a tried-and-true approach that has helped countless families achieve well-rested nights and predictable days: Eat Play Sleep. In this blog, we'll explore the magic of Eat Play Sleep and how it can revolutionize your newborn's sleep routine.
If you ask ten different moms, sleep professionals, or search online, you'll receive a plethora of answers regarding newborn sleep. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The best approach to newborn sleep is the one that ensures your baby gets sufficient sleep while considering your family's dynamics and your baby's development.
Eat Play Sleep is all about following a simple routine that consists of three core elements: eating, playing, and sleeping. When your baby wakes up in the morning, offer them a feed. After feeding, engage them in playtime, allowing them to explore, interact, or simply keep their eyes open. Once an appropriate awake time has passed or signs of tiredness emerge, it's time to lay your baby down for sleep, ensuring they are drowsy but awake. Maintain their sleep until hunger arises again.
Additionally, it's important to remember that flexibility is key when implementing the Eat Play Sleep routine. While the schedule provides a helpful framework, it's perfectly normal for it to occasionally not align perfectly. If you find that a feeding will be due in the middle of a nap, it's absolutely okay to offer the feed before the nap to ensure your baby is comfortable and content. Similarly, before bedtime, it's advisable to provide a feeding session to promote a full tummy and a more restful night's sleep. The ultimate goal is to establish healthy sleep habits, and making adjustments to accommodate your baby's needs is part of the process. Trust your instincts and find the balance that works best for both you and your little one.
While Eat Play Sleep primarily focuses on the 12 "daytime" hours, the other 12 hours are dedicated to nighttime sleep. During this time, it's crucial to create a calm and soothing environment. Keep the room dark, use a sound machine to drown out disturbances, and swaddle your baby to provide a cozy and secure sleeping space.
The beauty of this schedule lies in its incorporation of age-appropriate awake times and feeding intervals. By planning for your baby to wake up hungry, you ensure they don't miss feeds or have naps cut short due to hunger. This promotes a strong milk supply and helps your baby thrive.
Another significant advantage of feeding your baby when they wake up is establishing healthy sleep habits from day one. By teaching them not to rely on feeding to fall asleep, you set the foundation for independent sleep and reduce the likelihood of nighttime awakenings in search of comfort.
Getting Started with Eat Play Sleep: Around a couple of weeks after coming home, once breastfeeding is established and your baby has regained their birth weight, you can begin implementing the Eat Play Sleep routine. It's important to be patient during this initial phase as your baby's tiny belly adjusts. Additionally, practice putting your baby to sleep in a drowsy but awake state, although it may be challenging during the early weeks when they tend to doze off anywhere.
Following an Eat Play Sleep schedule brings numerous benefits to both you and your baby. It allows you to plan your days more efficiently, knowing when your baby will nap and when they will likely need a feeding. Well-rested babies are generally happier, experience fewer colicky episodes, and sleep better at night. Moreover, this routine supports healthy weight gain and often eliminates the need for traditional "sleep training" in the future.
Implementing the Eat Play Sleep routine can be a game-changer for new parents seeking a harmonious sleep schedule for their newborns. By focusing on eating, playing, and sleeping in a structured manner, you establish healthy sleep habits early on and pave the way for smoother nights and predictable days. Remember, while sample schedules can provide guidance, it's essential to adapt them to your baby's unique needs. Embrace this journey with your little one and enjoy the rewards of a well-rested and content baby.
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