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Choosing cues or sleep associations - about

Choosing cues or sleep associations - about

Some things to consider

All these options involve setting up an association of relaxing and preparing your baby for sleep. If your baby wakes at night, try not to respond immediately when you hear them making noises. Babies tend to go quickly into a deep sleep and then around an hour later come into a lighter sleep. When they come into their lighter sleep you may hear them making noises, or grumbling and grizzling. Also be aware that many babies will experience the hiccoughs while sleeping. These do not concern your baby, so they should not concern you and are not a reason to pick up your baby!

If you feel comfortable with leaving your baby for a period, then wait to see if they will go back to sleep by themselves. This can be a bit harder if your baby is sleeping in the same room or bed as you. Try concentrating on your own breathing for a couple of minutes to distract yourself from your baby's noises, giving your baby enough time to resettle. If their noises turn into a cry (or a distressed cry), it is important that you go to your baby and reassure them.

You may need to repeat your cues or sleeping associations again, but try doing these while they lie in their bed, rather than picking them up and carrying them. If your baby is becoming distressed pick them up and comfort them. Any method of 'controlled crying' (also known as 'controlled comforting'), is not generally recommended before they are about 6 months old.

Any cues or sleep associations you choose to use will depend on your personal preferences, and the ones your baby seems to respond to. However, as many experienced parents will tell you, there is no point enforcing (or changing) routines or cues because others are telling you to, or you think you 'should'. Once you are ready to implement sleep associations or make any changes (if ever), then you will feel happier about any difficulties you may encounter along the way.

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