Tips for Settling a Fractious Baby

Image credit: UnSplash

{This is a collaborative post}

Having a fractious, unsettled baby can be stressful and tiring for parents and foster carers. Babies cry for many reasons - hunger, discomfort, overstimulation or just needing comfort. While crying is normal, a very fractious baby who cries for hours on end without being soothed can be exhausting. Here are some tips to help settle a fractious baby.

Establish a Bedtime Routine

Having a consistent, calming bedtime routine is important to help baby wind down and get ready for sleep. This could include activities like a warm bath, infant massage, putting on pyjamas, reading a story and singing lullabies. Keep lights dimmed, speak softly and avoid overstimulation. The routine, done in the same order each night, helps signal to baby that it’s time to sleep. This applies to all babies, including foster babies if you are with an agency like Foster Care Associates Essex.

Swaddle Your Baby

Many babies love being wrapped up snugly in a light muslin or cotton cloth - it reminds them of being cocooned in the womb and makes them feel secure. Ensure arms are down by baby’s sides rather than strait jackets across their chest as this can be unsafe. Stop swaddling as soon as baby shows signs of being able to roll over.

Use White Noise

White noise that mimics sounds from the womb, like a fan, the vacuum cleaner or special white noise baby apps, can help soothe and calm fractious babies. The constant, familiar sounds block out abrupt noises that can startle them awake. Use white noise when putting baby down to sleep, and if they stir in the night.

Employ Gentle Motion

Many babies love gentle motion and find it calming. Hold baby close and sway, rock or walk with them. Push them in their pram or put them in a sling. Drive them in the car. The repetitive motion reminds them of being rocked in the womb. You can also try special baby swings or rockers, but always supervise.

Tips for Helping with the Back to School Sleep Routine

Photo by Alexandru Zdrobău on Unsplash

{Collaborative Post}

My kids went back to school yesterday and I know I was supposed to have got them back in a routine of going to bed earlier and being ready to wake for the early mornings and I had good intentions, honestly, I did! But it just didn't seem to fall into place this year. I blame where we live, there is just too many fun things going on and the girls, in particular, want to be involved in everything.

Thankfully they all got up fine for their first morning back and I am determined to help them get back on track over the weekend. I assume there are other parents like me who didn't manage to get their kids back on track this last week so I thought it might be useful to share my tips for helping your child have a good nights sleep -

1.  Check out your child's bed and mattress. I spent a night on Miss M's bed recently as she was poorly and had fallen asleep in my bed. I thought I'd be kind and leave her there for the night but boy did I regret it as her mattress is horrible, even though it is fairly new. You really are worth investing in a good mattress, so why not take a look at the beds from Bed Guru.

2.  Keep sleep and wake times constant, even on the weekend. I've had to lay down the law with my 12-year-olds and tell them there is no more sitting quietly on the sofa and hoping to be forgotten, they need to be in bed by 9.30pm at the latest.

4 Clever Ways to Help your Child Sleep Through the Night

As a parent, you crave one thing more than anything else: sleep. All you need is for your child to sleep soundly. Here are four clever ways to help your child sleep through the night.

Peaceful Sleeping Child image from Shutterstock

Turn down the Temperature 
Did you know that you sleep better at colder temperatures? Research suggests that even insomniacs can sleep soundly when they wear cooling caps. It makes sense in that people are more likely to wake up and feel restless when they’re hot.

When your child is sweaty, they’ll wake up and cry. Who has to tend to them? Yes, it’s you. To avoid such problems, turn down your thermostat each night before bedtime. Your children will sleep more comfortably and they’re less likely to awaken in the night. You should even consider purchasing a smart thermostat, which will automatically lower the temperature at a scheduled time each evening.