Many infant sleep problems are caused by environmental factors. According to the National Sleep Foundation, environmental factors to consider for good sleep include:
- Noise
- Temperature
- Light
- Sleeping surface
- Room décor
Noise
Many babies and children have sensitive hearing and can easily awaken with any background noise. Using white noise can drown out background noise and is soothing for many babies since it mimics the sounds of the womb.
Temperature
An ideal temperature for your child’s bedroom is between 19 and 22 degrees Celsius. A room that is too hot can disrupt your baby’s sleep.
Light
Your child’s sleep environment should be dark! On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is a bright sunny day and 10 is pitch black, the room should be an 8. Too much light can impede your child’s sleep.
Décor
Make sure that there is nothing overly stimulating in the baby’s room. Ensure that the room is decorated using pale tones. Remove any toys from the crib that have buttons, play music, or have flashing lights (e.g. the Baby Einstein sea aquarium).
Sleeping Surface
Good quality sleep is just as important as quantity. Once your baby enters his third month of life, it’s important that he be taking mo st of his naps in his crib or bassinet—not in the car, stroller, or swing. Motion lulls us to sleep, but it also keeps us in a lighter, more fragmented sleep; our brains never reach the level of full restorative sleep if we’re moving.
Exhausted? Baby still not sleeping? I can help! Please contact me at (416) 902-2632 or www.mysleepingbaby.com
