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Article One - Surviving the First Two Weeks
Article Two - Swaddling
Article Three - The Perfect Swaddle
Article Four - Baby's Bedtime - one mother's perspective
Article Five - Tips for choosing your baby's comforter. (Or the lessons of experience!)
Article Six - Is your child afraid of the dark?
Article Seven - Night Feeds ... and how to survive them!
Article Eight - What is a Good Night’s Sleep? (or Don’t Feel Guilty!)

Article One - Surviving the First Two Weeks
By Rebecca Wooltorton, BMid Dip MAR (midwife and reflexologist)

The first week with your new baby is all about getting to know each other.
If you are breast feeding for the first time it will take at least a week
for you and your baby to learn this new skill together. During this time
your milk will 'come in' and a few days later the supply will settle to
appropriate quantities to feed your baby. Remember, the more baby suckles at
the breast the more your milk supply is stimulated. That is why giving
formula feed at this time can interrupt breast feeding. It is also
important to avoid giving your baby a bottle until breast feeding is very
well established, as this too may interrupt breast feeding.

Your baby will be born with his or her own body clock still very much in
operation! Many babies will sleep peacefully through most of the day, waking
only to feed, and be more lively and sometimes fretful and night. First of
all, if this applies to your baby, remember you are not alone! After the
first week try to gently and consistently introduce a little routine into
your baby's life. For example, try bathing your baby an hour or so before
you would like him/her to go to bed. Interact and talk to your baby while
he/she is awake during the day. At bedtime, feed and change your baby with
the lights low and keep your voice quiet. Snuggle your baby into a warm
bed, and avoid getting into the habit of rocking him or her to sleep in your
arms - this is a habit that you will only have to break later! At night,
when baby wakes, continue to keep the lights low and feed and change your
baby with minimum interaction. If this message is consistent it will help
to teach your baby the difference between night and day.

Above all, be kind to yourself. It takes time to get to know your baby and
to learn his/her cues. Seek peer support from other new mums. Many areas
run postnatal groups - your midwife or health visitor will be able to tell
you about these. Never refuse offers of help from family and friends, and
remember that at the end of the day household chores are often not
absolutely essential and can wait. Concentrate on the important
things - eating and drinking well, and getting adequate rest. Sleep when
your baby sleeps. Finally, remember that your baby will not remain newborn
forever - cherish this precious time ... and catch up with the dusting in a
month or two!

Article Two - Swaddling

I never quite got the hang of swaddling my baby - I wish I had!
I never really took the time to learn - again, I wish I had!
As a first-time mother with a newborn son, I had two opportunities to observe the amazing effects of swaddling on him.

>>> It was my first full night on the maternity ward. My newborn son woke about midnight and proceeded to disturb the entire ward of resting mothers and babies with loud yells. My inexperienced efforts to console him had no effect, until finally a midwife took pity on me. Appearing from behind the curtain that surrounded my bed, she proceeded to expertly swaddle and bind him in a shawl and popped him into his cot. Within minutes, his cries lessened, he snuffled a bit, and was quiet. My newborn baby then slept for a full five hours - and so did I!

>>> Eight weeks after my first son was born my father died of a terminal illness. As the family gathered, my very young baby was naturally unsettled by the sadness and grief around him, and the change in his surroundings and routine. After a number of restless nights, an aunt, very experienced in childcare had a comforting cuddle with my young son following his last feed, swaddled my son firmly and again popped him into his cot. It was 6.30pm, and he didn't wake again until 5am the next morning - a total of ten and a half hours sleep for the first time in his short life so far!
I never did achieve the same quality of swaddle.

Swaddling has since increased in popularity and there are a tremendous variety of swaddle products available, from shaped swaddling blankets to body socks to baby sleeping bags complete with wraparound, all complete with full instructions on their use.

* * * * * * * * * *
Historically, swaddling in various forms has been practised for hundreds of years, with records going back as far as Ancient Greek and Roman times. Probably one of the most famous examples of the use of swaddling can be found in the bible -

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (St. Luke, II, 6, 7.)

It has remained popular in many Eastern cultures and tribal traditions, and is now enjoying a revival in the Western World.

What is Swaddling?
Swaddling is the age old practice of snugly wrapping babies in a blanket or similar cloth so that their movements are restricted, including their own 'startle' reflex (or Moro reflex), which can disturb a sleeping infant. Swaddling is thought to mimic the confined conditions of the womb, and therefore to provide a certain amount of warmth, comfort and security to a young baby after their entry into the wide open space of the world.
As your baby grows, a half-swaddle allowing the arms and shoulders freedom from the restrictions of a full swaddle may be appropriate.

The Benefits of Swaddling
Much clinical research has been undertaken to investigate the art of swaddling.
Swaddling is clinically proven to help babies remain sleeping on their back, which has in turn been proven to reduce occurrences of SIDS.
Swaddling helps soothe and settle a fussy baby, even one that is colicky and irritable.
Swaddling helps to keep a baby warm until they are able to regulate their own body temperature.
And finally, there is also evidence to suggest that swaddling helps babies sleep longer and more deeply with fewer incidences of awakening and an increased ability to resettle themselves.
A better nights sleep for everyone!
For more information on the research surrounding swaddling, see articles -
http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/2002/culture-living/swaddle.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021202072217.htm

Article Three - The Perfect Swaddle

Reproduced with the kind permission of www.swaddledesigns.com, creators of The Ultimate Receiving Blanket and Baby Lovie. The Ultimate Receiving Blanket has an exclusive Tip Tag stitched to the corner of the blanket, so that you never forget how to swaddle your baby!

Swaddle Tips

    “A baby’s natural position is with her arms bent at the elbows and her legs
    flexed. Wrap her like this, making no attempts to straighten her out before
    you start. Above all, leave her hands where she can suck them is she wants
    and is able to do so.”

How to Swaddle
Place the Ultimate Swaddling Blanket on a flat surface so that the blanket looks like a diamond in front of you. The 123 Swaddle Tip Tag will be visible on your upper right hand side..

Fold the top corner of the diamond down about 6 inches.

Place your baby onto centre of blanket with baby’s head resting just above this fold.

Follow steps on the Tip Tag:
1. Start with the corner on your left. Pull the left side of the blanket across baby’s body so that it is comfortably holding baby’s arms on baby’s chest. Tuck and smooth fabric snugly under baby. The weight of the baby on the tucked under fabric will help to hold the swaddle secure. If baby’s hands are within reach of baby’s mouth, baby may suck on them to self-soothe.
2. Lift the bottom corner up across baby and tuck and smooth under baby’s left shoulder and body.
3. Lift the corner on your right and pull across and all the way around baby’s body, tucking in the last bit of corner into the folded blanket by baby’s left shoulder. It is helpful to fold some of the upper edge down a bit before going across and all the way around.

The blanket was designed so the cotton will be stretchy when it is placed in the diamond position.

Important Helpful Hints
Wrap baby in a natural position, which is with his arms bent at the elbow, knees and hips bent. Knees should be in an abducted (apart) position. This allows for hip and knee movement which is important for proper joint development and growth. If baby’s hands are placed on chest, within reach of mouth, baby may self-soothe by sucking on hands and fingers. Infant researchers strongly recommend that babies always have access to the hands for self-consoling.

Wrap baby snugly, but not so tightly as to impede baby’s breathing. The wrap should be snug, but you should still be able to slide your hand between the blanket and your baby’s chest. It should feel snug, not loose.

Wrap securely. Tuck last corner in to secure wrap. Do not use loose blanket with unattended baby.

Avoid having the blanket touch baby’s cheek. This can stimulate baby’s rooting response and wake her.

Always place baby on his or her back to sleep.

Be careful not to over bundle your baby
Baby will be warmer when wrapped and you should be careful not to over bundle your baby. Signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, heat rash, rapid breathing and sometimes fever. Dress your baby according to the temperature and adjust her layers as the temperature changes. Young babies are unable to regulate their body temperature so caregivers have an important role in keeping baby safely warm. A good rule of thumb, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics is to dress the baby in one more layer of clothing than you are wearing to be comfortable in in the same environment. Sometimes a baby’s hands or feet are cool due to their immature blood circulation, and that is considered okay, as long as their chest, tummy and back feel warm, but not sweaty or cold.

“Unless the temperature is hot (over 75 degrees Fahrenheit), your newborn will need several layers of clothing to keep her warm. It’s generally best to dress her in an undershirt an diapers, covered by pyjamas or a dressing gown, and then wrapped in a receiving blanket. (If your baby is premature, she may need still another layer of clothing until her weight reaches that of a full-term baby and her body is better able to adjust to changes in temperature.) In hot weather you can reduce her clothing to a single layer, but be sure to cover her when in air-conditioned surroundings or near drafts.” The American Academy of Paediatrics - The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Caring for Your Baby and Young Child.

Most paediatricians recommend the room temperature where your baby sleeps be 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The information contained on this article is intended to complement, not substitute for the advice of your child’s paediatrician. Consult with your own paediatrician, who can discuss your individual needs and counsel you.

(www.swaddle designs.com)

Article Four - Baby's Bedtime - one mother's perspective

Grobag

As first-time parents-to-be, my husband and I, like so many others before and after us, suddenly faced the frightening prospect of sleepless nights - not the occasional, one-off due to unforeseen circumstances, but the continuous, nightly ritual of not getting our regular 7-8 hours a night of good, sound sleep! We were worried!

We were also absolutely determined to do everything within our power to ensure our child slept well!

In our quest, we read book after book of recommended bedtime routines, asked endless questions of friends with babies and jotted down pages of notes as we planned our course of action.

The big day finally arrived, surprisingly on time, and we were presented with our beautiful first-born baby son.

What happened next? Well, to cut a long story short, as those of you who are parents already know, babies, being the very individual souls that they are, don't necessarily conform to rigid routines prescribed by other people.

What we did learn to do was adapt.

We did use a routine, we kept all our books and our notes, but our baby was an individual, and therefore his routine should be individual - to him.

We also discovered the secret of sleep cues - moments, items, people - things that you choose that tell your baby that this is time to sleep, that this is bedtime.

Our baby's routine was his first sleep cue, in particular the wind down period in the hour before bed, in which we consistently followed the same pattern every night (except in very exceptional circumstances) and which he learned to associate with the approach of bedtime.

Our baby had the same musical toy as a sleep cue, played every night at bedtime, and played again if he later woke for some reason. He learned to associate this with going to sleep. Three years later he still likes to play his musical toy at bedtime, but this is now accompanied by a bedtime story in acknowledgement of the fact that he is older.

Finally, and probably the most important sleep cue of all, was our baby's comforter toy. Introduced into his cot moments after birth we had religiously followed instructions before my baby's arrival home and kept the chosen comforter in bed with us before he was born so that it could take up the all-important 'comforting mummy/daddy smells'. We never regretted it! My son's comforter toy became a firm sleep friend. It let him know that mummy or daddy was near when we left his room at bedtime; it soothed him to sleep without tears or disruption if he woke in the night, and it comforted him in unfamiliar places. Three years later, he is still very firmly attached to his comforter toy at night, although his need of it during the day has lessened with maturity.

Our determination to maintain a good nights sleep, our search for effective sleep cues and our combined experience of parenthood led us to create www.babysleepshop.com <http://www.babysleepshop.com>, an online shop completely dedicated to a baby's sleeping experience.

Incidentally, in case you are wondering, we are lucky enough to be mum and dad to two gorgeous, lively, happy boys aged three years and 21 months respectively, and yes, apart from the occasional exception when they are poorly, or have a bad dream, they sleep...well, like babies!

Article Five - Tips for choosing your baby's comforter. (Or the lessons of experience!)

1. Buy more than one! You never know when your baby's favourite toy may be lost, or simply need a wash!

2. Keep tags and labels. If you need to buy another comforter exactly the same, it will make it easier to track down!

3. If you've chosen a particular toy for your newborn baby's comforter, then for the first few months make sure this is the only toy in your baby's cot at bedtime. Otherwise he/she may choose something else, which may not be so easy to find if you need another!

4. Before introducing your baby to his/her new comforter, sleep with it in your bed or carry it around in your clothes to absorb all those comforting mummy/daddy smells. This will help to soothe your baby when he/she is alone in the cot.

5. Choose a different baby comforter for your second (and third and fourth!!) baby so that there is no confusion.

Original Article Written by Joanna Windsor, MA Lit., BA Hon., PGCE (mother, and partner of www.babysleepshop.com)

Copyright October 2005

Originally published at www.baby-mates.com, November 2005

Article Six - Is your child afraid of the dark?

As babies grow into toddlers and become more aware of their surroundings, they often become more afraid of the dark, especially at night when they've said their goodnights and are alone.

Equally, as your child transfers from a cot to a bed and is toilet trained, you may become more fearful of him or her moving around at night without you, particularly if there are stairs or large pieces of furniture close by on which they could hurt themselves.

When bedtime beckons, you may want to consider some of the many items available that address this very real fear experienced by babies and toddlers, and make light of the dark!

1. Comforters - From a very young baby, your child may develop a strong emotional attachment to a soft toy, a blanket, or even one of the many character comforters developed especially for the purpose. As a newborn your baby may be soothed by the very special mummy and daddy smells that it takes on. However, over time, the comforter will take on that extra special 'x' factor, that only your child could explain.
slumber bear

Don't underestimate your child's attachment to the comforter!

And do make use of it!

The presence of a familiar and much-loved comforter may soothe a restless child back to sleep before they have even roused enough to disturb you!

2. Bedtime Stories – Make sure you know the content of stories you are going to read before you read them, particularly at bedtime. No one knows your child better than you, and some children are much more sensitive than others. What might be a funny story to one child may create fear in another, particularly after you are gone and they are left alone in their bedroom.

There are some delightful children's stories filled with comforting thoughts for bedtime.

Why not try 'Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go To Sleep' by Debra Gliori, or 'Guess How Much I Love You' by Sam McBratney to name a few.

3. Night Lights - Night-lights come in many sizes, shapes and forms. Some are designed to emit a soft glow all night; others gently fade out over a period of time until it is off altogether. Some are battery operated and can be used anywhere; others use mains electric. Many are designed using popular children's characters, or pretty colours and pictures to fit in with a young child's bedroom and furnishings. night light

If space is an issue, Plug-In night-lights are designed to provide a soft reassuring light directly from the plug point, and fulfil the very useful job of covering exposed sockets.

Try night-lights in your child's bedroom, or to light a dark hallway or landing.

* NB – There are children’s comforters available on the market now that cleverly incorporate a luminous glow or night-light with a soft toy *

4. Musical Light Displays – Many mobiles and musical cot-side toys project pretty moving images and coloured lights onto ceilings and walls. Especially useful for younger babies, these night-lights are effectively combined with a very useful sleep cue – music. If played regularly, a musical toy can be a signal to your child that this is bedtime, and time to go to sleep. Usually designed to play for a set period of time, baby often feels drowsy watching the play of lights on the walls, and drifts contentedly off to sleep before the show is finished!

For an older child, you may want to replace the cot toy with a more appropriate night-light. However, once established, the musical sleep cue is very effective well into early childhood.

5. Glow in the Dark – Glow in the Dark wall stickers and mobiles do just as they say when the light goes out. Once energised by a light, perhaps during a bedtime story, it will glow softly in the dark for some time.

Many cheerful Glow in the Dark shapes are now available to brighten a dark room including stars, teddy bears and smiley-faced stickers, as well as mobiles in many shapes and sizes; and although many traditional Glow in the Dark items emit a soft, greenish glow, now there are multi-coloured items available too!

*********
Make use of what’s available, brighten up your frightened child’s dark bedroom, banish the night terrors, and make bedtime happier for everyone!

Article 7

Article Seven - Night Feeds ... and how to survive them!

Grobag feed

For any new mother... and father... night feeds are a matter of fact, and suddenly a good nights
sleep feels like it will never be the same again!
You've mastered breastfeeding, you can mix a bottle of formula and you have treated sore, cracked nipples. You've taken advice from your Midwife and Health Visitor and read every baby book you can lay hands on.
You know a little more about what you're doing and it isn't quite so scary as it was; you probably find that you even enjoy the nightly cuddles, the moments of closeness and intimacy with your precious baby.

But oh, don't you wish you could get a good night’s sleep once more!

What on earth can you do to minimise the shocking effects of lack of sleep, which
result from the Twilight Shift?

Accept night feeds - they're part of having babies. But you can do things to make it as
easy as possible to fall back into that grateful slumber when it's all over.

Night Feeds ... and How to Survive Them!

* The Golden Rule - make as little noise and fuss as possible. The last thing you want is to wake the sleeping sibling(s), the dog, the neighbours...

* If it's winter, you may want to think about maintaining your central heating at a reasonable level. The nights can be very cold....

* Preparation is everything. Before you go to bed make sure ALL you need is ready to go. Bottles should be made up and stored in the fridge. Muslins, nappies, wipes and creams - you might not need them, but know where they are and have them to hand!

* Don't rush about until late finishing off all those household chores you didn't have time to do during the day. Sleep matters! Relax, have a hot bubble bath, burn some candles, read a book...do whatever works for you to unwind before going to bed.

* Breastfeed if you can. Breastfeeding, as well as providing excellent nutrition for your baby at just the right temperature, is easily accessible, requires no preparation and is readily available at any time of the day or night.

* If you are breastfeeding, you may want to wear a supportive bra to bed. Breasts often feel full and heavy with milk at night and the extra support may help to make them more comfortable.

* Leave a soft night-light on the landing or in the corridor. That way you can make your way from room to room without falling or bumping noisily into objects along the
way.

* Many parents prefer to keep their baby in the same room, causing less disruption to
parents' and babies sleep.

* Keep lights dimmed to maintain a night-time feel, for you as well as your baby.

* Avoid too much interaction with your baby, tempting though it may be. Keep talking to a minimum and voices soft and low. Avoid eye contact.

* Don't change your baby's nappy unless it's absolutely necessary. The unwrapping
and undressing necessary to do this will most definitely rouse your baby, possibly
to several decibels!

* Keep your baby swaddled, or once they are old enough use a baby sleeping bag
at bedtime. That way your baby will not be roused by changes in room temperature when they are lifted out of bed, or by cool bedding on their return.

* Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, make sure your baby is well-supported and resting comfortably in your arms or on your knees. Raise your knees and use pillows for support. A comfortable baby will feed more efficiently.

* Make sure you too are comfortable and supported. Invest in a comfortable chair with armrests and support your back with a pillow. Remember, if you are breastfeeding, then bring your baby to your breast, not your breast to your baby - "Tummy to Mummy, Nipple to nose, Baby to breast, not breast to baby."
Raise your feet on a footstool or cushions to align your neck and spine at the correct angles, and prevent back and neck strain.
It makes sense that if you are relaxed and comfortable during these waking hours, then you are more likely to fall asleep on your return to bed.

* Try and keep your mind clear of all the busy, frenetic activities of the day and think calm and peaceful thoughts. Close your eyes and relax.

* Make sure you take an extra few minutes to wind your baby well following the feed. It's much better to leave a comfortable, settled baby who will fall straight back to sleep in his cot, than a fretful, restless baby, who will wake again sooner rather than later.

* Remember your sleep cues, particularly as your baby settles into a regular sleep routine. A musical sleep cue will gently remind your baby that it's time to sleep, and a comforter will make an ideal substitute for mum or dad after you've gone back to bed.

- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * -

Remember, your baby will soon grow up. Enjoy the quiet night-time cuddles, don't resent them.
If you are willing to put in a bit of effort and organisation beforehand, night-time feeds can be achieved with the minimum of disruption...and you may even be rewarded with a few hours extra sleep!

Article Eight - What is a Good Night’s Sleep? (or Don’t Feel Guilty!)

What is 'A Good Night's Sleep'?

Don’t feel guilty about wanting a good night's sleep.

Sleep experts at the National Sleep Foundation suggest three main rules which are the basis to developing a lifetime of good sleeping habits;

1) to establish a regular and relaxing bedtime routine in preparation for bedtime

2) to establish a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, cool and comfortable

3) to establish a regular sleeping and waking pattern, usually based around day and night

Sleep experts recommend that the average adult needs between seven and nine hours of good quality sleep a night; some need more, some need less. Quality of sleep is defined as continuous and uninterrupted!

Quantity and quality of sleep plays an enormous part in our ability to function on a daily basis, and not getting enough can affect our performance at work and at home, in our relationships and in our physical and mental health.

Sleep experts also tell us that there are many factors that affect our ability to sleep, and we have a certain amount of control over many of them; for example, avoid caffeine and/or alcohol, eat healthily and exercise regularly, take time to relax before bed, and get an early night.

However, there are some factors over which we have no control, at least in the beginning…

...Babies, Parents' and Broken Nights

Without a doubt, your newborn baby needs you.

A newborn baby has no awareness of day or night, and their needs in these early days do not follow the same pattern as yours. They are not to know that when they are hungry, need changing or simply want a cuddle that you may be catching up on some much-needed sleep after a busy day.

But parents' shouldn't feel guilty about wanting a good night's sleep. As adults our lives function around day and night, work and sleep. We run busy households, and we lead busy lives. It goes without saying that we need to refuel on rest!

Your children will learn their sleeping habits from you, so encourage healthy sleep routines early and establish a good sleep foundation on which your children can build happy, healthy lives from birth to adulthood.

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