Potential problems with cues
A cue is a physical action, or sensation that is capable of 'triggering', or helping your baby to be calm, wind-down and drift off to sleep. Cues are usually used by parents (or other carers) until
AFTER the baby falls asleep. When a cue is consistently repeated, each time the baby is tired, the baby will start to frequently respond positively, by calming down and drifting off to sleep relatively quickly (little wonder cues are so popular). However, the baby may stop going to sleep if the cue suddenly ceases before they are fully asleep. Or the baby may cry if they rouse briefly at the end of short a
sleep cycle because they are 'looking' for their 'sleep cue' to get back to sleep.
The most favoured cue for very young babies is to fall asleep suckling on the breast (or a bottle, thumb or dummy). This is because sucking not only tires them, but it also relaxes and comforts them, helping them to fall to sleep. Other cues can include:
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Rocking your baby to sleep while sitting, standing or walking, or gently and rhythmically rocking the bassinette, baby bouncer or cot. Some parents will pace the hall with their baby or take them for a walk in the pram. |
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Patting your baby's bottom or thigh. This involves cupping your hand and using a rhythmic, gentle and slow patting action on their bottom or thigh area until they are asleep. It is now recommended that babies be placed on their backs when sleeping (to prevent ), so you will need to gently roll your baby onto their back after they have fallen asleep. If your baby prefers it, you may exchange the bottom patting for a gentle circular rub of their belly, or stroking their head. |
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Using a dummy. Most babies use their sucking reflex as a way to calm and comfort themselves. This is a very strong instinct, and using a dummy may help them to meet this need. Babies are also born with an instinctual hand-to-mouth reflex (or the 'Babkin reflex'). This means they may use their fist (or their thumb) in the absence of a dummy. You can read more about this in dummies and thumbs. |
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A repeated use of a few cues such as firm wrapping, placing them in their bed, darkening the room, playing music, giving a few short rubs or pats - as part of a predictable routine. |