Bringing baby home, now what do I do? While at the hospital you probably kept the baby in the nursery at night so that you could get as much rest as possible. This was a good idea because life as you knew it will never be the same. The idea that you and your baby will have to develop some sort of a schedule can be daunting. Who takes the lead in this? Of course, the baby will at first, they will let you know when they are hungry and need changing. As your infant grows you will develop a routine that works well for both of you. In the meantime expect that your sleep pattern will mirror your newborns.
As your baby grows he or she will stay awake for longer periods at a time. This is a great time to bond and help to develop good sleep habits. When the baby is awake interact with them, massaging their little muscles and stretching gently. Introducing a mobile over their crib will have them listening to the music even though they can’t see it. A rocking chair provides a comfortable place for the parents to feed the baby and gently help them drift off. Even though this seems a routine for their awake- time you are laying the ground work for sleep -time, too.
A rocking chair can be your best friend when it comes to sleep time. The calming rocking motion encourages sleep and a perfect opportunity for cuddle time. These two things promote security and love for your newborn. It is the perfect time to hum a little tune or softly sing to your precious one. If the baby is fussy and crying the gentle laying of your lips on the baby’s cheek can have a profound effect on your baby. Because, you are singing quietly the baby almost always quiets to hear you. Since you are so close to the baby’s ear it is amazing to see how it works. A consistent pattern is developing every time you do this and before long baby’s eyes will be closing quickly.
If you think you can’t sing or are too embarrassed to do this at first, don’t worry the music industry is here to help. There are many places to purchase music for the non musical. Almost every book store has a music section and you don’t have to pick something that is strictly baby oriented. There is an opinion that classical music played to babies will help them develop mentally. While not a proven fact, however, it does relax your little one and help with sleep.
As your child grows, you can also start a nightly ritual of the bedtime story. Many authors have written books for just such a purpose, but if you are a creative sort you can make up a delightful story for your child. A personalized story about your child is always a winner. You will find a routine that works for you and your child, so sweet dreams.