Okay, so anyone out there who has children knows that the first months are the hardest and most tiring! I have been blessed - clearly - with a beautiful baby boy!!! Only, during the day, this little man did not want to sleep and I didn't know how to help him...and nights were a different story all together! He would nap here and there but it was always so inconsistent and he'd be up for hours on end. So, I read and read and read. I stumbled across this other person's advice and they recommended The 90 Minute Baby Sleep Program book by Dr.Polly Moore. I am in love! It seems too simple! For two consecutive days (going on three) Jackson has taken several naps throughout the day and has had decent nights as well (waking at 1-ish and 4-ish).
Basically the book describes the natural biological clock that runs on 90 minute intervals. So as soon as your baby wakes up, you basically check the time and add 90 minutes to it...the time you get will be the time your baby will be ready for a nap. In the beginning babies usually follow this 90 minute interval each time, but as they grow, they can combine 90 minute intervals to be awake for longer stretches...but still always working with that number. What happens if you miss the time frame window is your baby will reboot their internal clock and be up for another 90 minutes...and so on and so forth. Well, I payed attention to Jackson's sleepy cues closely...and sure as you could imagine...he would start yawning right before the 90 minute mark and I would help sooth him and off to sleep he was. They don't quite know yet how to put themselves to sleep and often need help...so watching the clock and prepping them helps them learn how to sooth themselves as well. Bliss! It also talks about their sleep cycle and how they sleep (stages, noises, etc) but I won't get into that.
Sometimes he naps for 30 minutes others it's 2 hours. He also sleeps better at night because of it - apparently a big misconception is that keeping your baby up longer helps them sleep longer...really studies show it's the opposite...it makes it harder for them to sleep because they are too tired and struggle to wind down. The more they sleep at this stage, the better it is for their development, etc. I could go on and on...but really, just get the book! It won't fix all your problems or make your baby sleep through the night...but it sure is a quick read with valuable information!
Anyways...while he is napping now (he he he), I thought I would post this as I wish I had read this book prior to his birth...and will be making a point to give it as a shower gift from here on in. Any expecting mamas out there or friends of expecting mamas - pick it up! Enjoy!
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