When you are going to bring a new little person into your home, getting it ready can sometimes feel like a never-ending ordeal. Every year, our list of things we must do and must have seem to get longer and longer.
It is natural for women to develop a nesting instinct when they are pregnant. Studies have shown that this instinct is the result of chemicals, specifically, the hormones estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin, that push the mother to prepare for her new baby. Human females are not the only animals to develop this instinct. It is common across the whole animal kingdom.
Sleepless nights can take a toll on a new mother, in fact, on both parents, especially if the baby keeps waking up all night. However, if you prepare beforehand, you might improve your chances of having a child who is a ‘good sleeper.’
With so many products currently on the market, choosing what you need can sometimes be overwhelming. The internet has all sorts of guides and recommendations.
Research shows the safest place to sleep is in an isolated area that has a firm surface with a water resistance feature. When dealing with babies, you cannot overlook their comfort. Selecting the perfect items for your little one is your top priority. You might improve your child’s sleep quality if you follow some of the suggestions written below:
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Firm Mattress
During our first two years of life, we grow at a surprisingly fast rate. Durability should come first when buying a mattress. Newborns do not weigh much. The mattress should not exceed the 75mm threshold. It should also be placed on a flat surface to prevent the child’s head from sinking. An even surface is crucial as your baby grows. In cases where the little one is super active, a compact mattress offers adequate resistance for muscle development.
The internet is awash with ideas on what type of mattress to select. According to BabyGadgetLab, press on the mattress in the middle and edges. It ought to revert and not fit in your hand.
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Waterproof Covers
These are a must-have for any parent with an infant. Waterproof covers are safe, secure, and germ-free. When buying a mattress, always check for waterproof covers as they go hand in hand.
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Keep a Calm Ambiance
Setting the mood is not only for the helpless romantic; babies also love a relaxing environment. Ensure the room is cozy and has a favorable temperature. Overheating may put your child’s life at risk. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for babies aged up to one year is greater if their room is too hot. Most experts recomment a temperature between 20°C and 22.2°C (68°F and 72°F).
A dark environment is crucial for good quality sleep. Restful sleep is more likely to make your child adaptable. Also, if your child sleeps well, so will you!
It is usually not possible to have complete silence. It is not necessary either. However, if you can, try to avoid sudden noises, especially while your child is asleep. If you have more children in your household, explain this to them.
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Mist Humidifier
Humidifiers are usually beneficial for babies and young children. Their skin, for example, is soft, fragile, and prone to become flaky if the air around them is too dry. In the winter, our heating systems can make rooms especially dry. Air conditioning systems in the summer time have the same effect.
A humidifier can keep a room at ideal humidity levels, which can help stop your child’s skin from drying out. Skin that is nice and moist is less likely to become flaky or develop a rash.
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Rocking chairs
If you haven’t tried a rocking chair, you don’t know what you are missing. It is not only beneficial to the baby but the parent as well. It forms a regular sleeping pattern that is difficult to break. Bedtime stories could not be more pleasant. Don’t be suprised if you find yourself, and not only the baby, nodding off as you rock back and forth. You can take it up a notch by ordering a custom-made rocker.
Conclusion
Babies who are calm, comfortable, well fed, and not too cold or warm, are more likely to get a good night’s sleep. If fact, this also applies to humans of all ages.
Ideally, you should put your baby to bed while snoozing but not yet fully asleep. This technique will help him or her learn to go to sleep without any assistance. You can also aid in assisting the baby to fixate on something mobile as they slowly fade into dreamland.
It is also important to remember that it is not only the baby that needs to sleep. You do too! Caring for a little one can be demanding at the best of times. If you wake up each morning feel fresh after a decent night’s sleep, you are less likely to become over-exhausted during the day.