Boston Herald Columnist, Yvonne Finnerty answers some sleep related queries and talks about how to establish a healthy sleeping pattern for babies.
Q:I am having a baby next month and have many books, but am confused. How do I establish a good bedtime routine and when should I start?When your infant is sleeping during daytime hours, carry on as normal: run the dishwasher, let the phone ring, etc.At nighttime, start a routine of bath, book, and then bed. While your baby is very young you may want to supplement a book with a massage – it’s a good bonding activity, and Dad can get involved too.
You can learn infant massage online, or take a class. The most important thing is to feel comfortable doing it. Create a warm, quiet, safe environment for massaging baby. Then put him straight to bed, placing him on his back. Make sure the baby is not asleep but drowsy and ready to fall asleep – imagine the shock of waking up in a crib alone when you weren’t expecting it.After six to eight weeks, your baby should sleep longer at night. He should be sleeping through the night at about 3 to 4 months old, even though you’ll still have the early morning feeding. By establishing a good bedtime early on, you prevent the potential problems toddlers have with sleep issues.
