These may be signs that he’s exhausted and over-stimulated. Quality naps during the day lead to better and longer sleep at night – but why isn’t he getting them.
1. He wakes up wet and hungry
If your baby tends to fall asleep at 3 p.m. give him a feeding at 2:30 p.m and a change of more comfortable clothes and a dry diaper.
2. He’s a serial napper
His naps are frequent, but far too short. And since he’s not getting the restful “deep sleep” his body needs, he’s just as exhausted as a baby who played all afternoon. Once your baby is 6 months old, you can already try to keep him up for three hours at a stretch. Talk to him, change his location or position (try alternating tummy time with sitting in the baby swing), or play.
3. He’s waited too long between naps
If a baby’s too tired, he’ll have a harder time going to sleep. Watch for signals that he’s ready for bed: rubbing eyes, fussing, or staring into space.
4. He can’t settle down
By the time he’s 3 months old, your baby can already start learning to soothe himself to sleep. Help him out by having a regular “nap corner” set for ideal sleep conditions: dim lights, comfortable temperature, and quiet music. If he fusses, offer gentle pats or ssshing sounds without picking him up.
Extra fussy night? Here’s what you can do;
- Create a sleepy time soundtrack. You can download sounds into an MP3 player and connect it to palm-sized portable speakers. Play it in the living room, bedroom or the stroller.
- Read your baby’s cry. Don’t pick him up the minute he fusses. He’ll never learn to settle down on his own and seeing you may excite him and make him want to play. Eventually, you’ll know the difference between “I’m bored” whimper and a “Get me now” howl.
- Send a surge of calm. To guarantee good sleep of your little one, combine baby-friendly scent with peaceful ambiance and proper bedtime routine.
Furthermore, make sure to choose the right diaper for your baby to keep them comfortable and safe. To get the best product, you can compare diaper prices online.
