3 Important Ways to Prepare Baby’s Space for Good Sleep
Easy tips for preparing your space for good baby sleep.
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Community Care Plan. All opinions are my own.
The first week in March is National Sleep Awareness Week kicking off with Baby Sleep Day on March 1st. Did you know that newborns can sleep up to 19 hours a day in their first months of life? Don’t let that statistic fool you, baby sleep can be tricky to navigate.
“Sleep when the baby sleeps” is advice given way too often to new and expecting moms. While it is not always practical to sleep whenever the baby is sleeping, there are several ways you can set your baby up for healthy sleeping habits to ensure you’re able to rest too.
Preparing your baby’s space plays an important role in setting them up for sleeping success. Here are three easy tips to prep your baby’s space for good sleep.
Sleep Safety First
First and foremost, it is crucial to ensure your baby’s sleeping space is safe. There are about 3,500 sleep-related deaths among US babies each year, most frequently due to soft bedding.
It is recommended to keep your baby’s sleep area (such as a crib or bassinet) in the same room where you sleep until your baby is at least 6 months old, or ideally, until your baby is one year old. My daughter just transitioned into her own room shortly before she turned one. For the first few months, I used the basinet pictured below to allow for easy feedings at night. However, when she began rolling over, we switched to a crib, set up in the corner of my bedroom.
In addition, it is important to always lay your baby to sleep on his/her back, never on their side or stomach. This was reiterated to us at the hospital after giving birth and by my pediatrician with all three of my babies.
Lastly, the sleeping space should be a safety-approved crib with only a fitted sheet. Babies don’t need pillows, loose blankets or stuffed animals in their space. My daughter loves her sleep sack which keeps her perfectly warm and also safe at night and during naps.
Use White Noise to Help Baby Sleep
I’m not sure why “sleeping like a baby” is a commonly used phrase. None of my girls have been super heavy sleepers. With my first daughter, I learned quickly that, in a silent room, any little sound will wake up a sleeping baby. We purchased a white noise machine a few days after bringing her home. Now we use a sound machine in all of my girls’ rooms.
I have even gifted sound machines to all of my friends who had babies. They make the best practical Baby Shower gift. I honestly just believe they make such a big difference.
Hang Black Out Curtains
This final tip is a must for establishing a good sleeping schedule for babies. Black out curtains come in so many cute colors, are very affordable, and worth the investment. Compared to just blinds, black out curtains make a world of difference.
A dark room (with white noise playing) automatically gives your baby cues that it is sleep time. Combined with a safe sleeping area, your baby will be set up for successful sleep to help you get some much needed rest too.
If you’re a new expecting mom, check out my ultimate checklist of what to pack (and what not to) in your hospital labor and delivery bag.
Community Care Plan the health plan with a heart. They strive to positively impact health and wellness with local access to a high standard of health care and community resources. Visit CCPcares.org to learn more about the resources they offer.