20 Sleep Fixes that Work

20 sleep fixes that work – sound too good to be true? If you’re reading this 20 sleep fixes, it’s safe to assume that you are tired. Too tired to read a tome on how to get more sleep when all you want is a quick fix. If things are going awry, here are 20 sleep fixes that work. Try them – they really will make a difference.

1. Swaddle your newborn until 12 weeks of age for every sleep. This inhibits the startle reflex and prevents catnapping.
2. If your 7 month old is waking more than once at night, increase the protein in their diet to 2-3T per meal. Protein is found in meat, dairy, chicken, beans, lentils, nuts, eggs and fish.
3. If your baby under three months of age wakes twice at night, feed them rather than using a dummy/pacifier. You are likely to start a soother habit if you don’t meet the basic need of hunger.  Babies may need a night feed until on full solids at 6 months of age.
4. Use white noise to keep your baby in a deeper state of sleep. Buy a white noise CD or play the radio not tuned into a station so you can hear the static noise.
5. After 6 months of age, turn off your baby monitor if your baby’s room is fairly close to your room. You don’t need to hear and respond to every toss and turn. If your baby really needs you – you will hear them!
6. Follow a bedtime routine strictly until 18 months. Start with a bath and end with a soothing massage or lullaby.
7. Don’t let your little one sleep later than 4:30pm if over 6 months of age, otherwise they won’t want to settle to sleep by 6:30 or 7pm, which is the ideal bedtime for this age.
8. Don’t take your baby or toddler from the nursery after bath. Take them to their room, read a story, feed and then a lullaby and to bed.
9. Turn off the TV! TV, especially after 4pm, affects sleep habits.
10. Turn off the night light for babies under 18 months but turn on the night light for toddlers over 18 months when imagination develops and nightmares and fears set in.
11. Leave your hand on your newborn for 15 minutes after you put them down to sleep until the hypnagogic startle passes.
12. Drop a day sleep at 14 months to just one sleep a day from 12-2pm.
13. During the day, try to only let your baby have one sleep on the run – all other sleeps should be in the nursery so they get used to falling asleep in their sleep zone.
14. Make sure your little one has taken to a ‘doodoo’ blanky or security object by 6 months of age – they are lifesavers for years to come.
15. Deworm your toddler (older than 18 months) if they are restless at night or waking and staying awake for hours in the middle of the night.
16. Add 15 minutes of movement for all babies and toddlers in the late afternoon – use a swing or walk in a sling.
17. Use high quality nappies/diapers at night so that you don’t have to get up for a wet baby.
18. From 4 months of age aim to have your baby settle themselves to sleep.
19. Use a sleeping bag from 5 months of age, when babies start to kick off their blankets.
20. Use block out lining on the windows to darken the room – this will encourage later waking. 

Remember to be mindful about developing bad sleep habits. They can develop quickly when we are desperate for sleep but can do more harm than good. Which of the 20 sleep fixes work for you? Share them with us on our social pages – we would love to hear from you! 

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