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The DOs and DON’Ts of Baby Napping

Sleeping is one of the few things that most babies love to do, and as a parent, you definitely want your child to get the best sleep possible. So, for you and your baby to enjoy a good nap, here’s a list of all the dos and don’ts of baby napping that each new parent should understand.

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Baby Napping DOs

1.       Spot signs of sleepiness in your child. If your child starts yawning, then it’s a sign to take a nap. Other signs of sleepiness among newborns include crying and rubbing of eyes. Overtired babies, however, might experience some trouble settling down, so watch out for these signs.

 2.       Understand that babies tend to sleep a lot. Although it might not seem like it during the first few days, newborns actually sleep for about 16 hours each day. As they get older, expect that they’ll be sleeping less during daytime and more at nighttime. During his 6th month, your baby should already be able to sleep during the night and have two to three naps. Don’t worry though if he doesn’t, since each baby have different sleeping patterns.

 3.       Establish a nap routine. One good way to ensure that your little one gets a good napping time is to establish a nap routine. This will help your child have the same nap times every day, and avoid late afternoon naps that might lead to trouble sleeping at night.

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Baby Napping DON’Ts

1.       Avoiding waking up your baby. In case your baby falls asleep in his car seat, don’t wake him up. Carry the seat instead and let him finish his nap on the seat. Don’t let him sleep there throughout the night though. Transfer him to his crib and make sure that he’s positioned comfortably.

 2.       Don’t rely on on-the-go naps. While it may be tempting to squeeze in your child’s nap on your errand time, he may not be able to get the kind of rest that you want him to get. If your schedule is always packed, try cutting it back, or hiring a babysitter to assist you in taking care of your baby.

 3.       Don’t panic when you hear sleep noises. Hiccups, sighs, whimpers and squeaks are just some of the common baby sleep noises, which means that your baby is just settling down. So, wait a little for you check on him, unless you think he’s uncomfortable with his sleeping position, or is hungry.

Getting enough sleep is important both for you and your baby. So, make sure that you keep these napping guidelines in mind to give yourself and your baby a sounder sleep especially at night.

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