There is nothing more exhausting about motherhood (the early years) than first having a baby who will not sleep and secondly, spending those half-conscious waking moments trying to find a sane solution to the sleeplessness.
Let’s forget the books, the Googling, other Mothers declarations (or maybe your mother’s two cents worth-yikes!) for now. Instead let’s put focus on the here and now- on what is right in front of you.
Sometimes all you need is a fresh perspective- attune yourself more closely to your baby’s experiences to turn on that “night light”. Here’s my mommy brief on baby’s 11 senses. No not 5. That’s right 11!
Smell: Incredibly heightened in the early months! Have you ever been awoken by the smell of coffee, maybe bacon? Keep your baby’s room as free as possible of chemical scents found in detergents (on their sheets, clothes), bath soap etc.
Hearing: white noise all the way mamas! Invest in a white noise machine or turn on a fan. Babies have many more frequent wakings through the night than we do, so any sort of noise may intrigue them to wake and see what it is.
Sight: remove the mobile& toys! It’s too stimulating. Bed is boring, so boring in fact there is nothing else to do but sleep!
Intuition: This is your baby’s superior sense. If you are frustrated with your baby’s sleep situation-they’re feelin’ it too! Find peace in the moments you spend with your child before bed. Always!
Sense of time: Babies circadian rhythms are dictated by the sun. Develop a 24 hour routine and once baby’s on one, they know what time it is!
What I find particularly coincidental and intriguing is babies will hone their senses between 4 to7 months of age. That is where 98% of the babies I work with fall into. Interesting!!!
“Smell” what I’m cooking?
