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Maya Hammoud

<h2><strong>&nbsp;</strong><strong>Newborn sleep</strong></h2>
<p>The newborn stage in a baby&rsquo;s life is from birth to three months. Newborn babies sleep a lot but for short periods. If a newborn sleep for three months, which is rare, then a mom must consider herself to be very lucky. The first three weeks in a baby&rsquo;s life are the adjustment stage, where the baby is adapting to this new and unknown, less dark environment after leaving the womb, where he was safely tucked away for months.</p>
<h2><strong>Tips for better newborn sleep </strong></h2>
<h3><strong>1- No rush in structuring the baby&rsquo;s sleep</strong></h3>
<p>My advice to <a href="https://omooma.com/en/p/calming-the-new-mom-fears/"><strong>new moms</strong></a> is to lower their expectations, and o have realistic goals when it comes to baby sleep during the first few weeks after birth. Give the baby the time and space they need to fully adjust. When parents ask me about structuring their newborn&rsquo; s sleep I only advise them to take care of the baby and to tend to their different needs, in addition to spending time with the baby, as sleep structuring cannot be done during the first few weeks of the baby&rsquo;s life.</p>
<h3><strong>2- Encourage full feeds </strong></h3>
<p>When the baby gets a <a href="https://omooma.com/en/p/how-to-tell-if-your-baby-is-getting-enough-breast-milk/"><strong>full feed</strong></a>, they fall asleep faster and hassle-free, and they sleep better as well. This is why it is very important not to let the baby fall asleep during feedings before the feeding is complete. If the baby falls asleep hungry this means that he will get up soon after because of hunger. I always advise moms to wake the baby up if he falls asleep while feeding. Stop the feeding, burp the baby, tickle their nose, talk, and play with them to wake them up and finish the feed.</p>
<h3><strong>3- Respect the awake window </strong></h3>
<p>It is very important to know that the awake window of a newborn baby is between 45 minutes to one hour. This fact might frustrate new moms, who are receiving guests and want to meet the baby and play with them, but the newborn sleep is more important than having the guest spend time with them. Respecting the awake window is a key pillar in establishing healthy sleep habits, or what I like to call sleep hygiene. Putting the baby to sleep before the end of the awake window, when he is not tired and not sleepy yet, will lead him to fight sleep through crying and fussing. Keeping the baby up past his awake window will make him overtired and overstimulated and will contest to sleeping by crying. Moreover, not respecting the awake window will mean that the baby will sleep for only a short period.</p>
<h3><strong>4- Learn the sign of sleepiness </strong></h3>
<p>The first and most obvious clue telling you it&rsquo;s time to put the baby to sleep is the awake window, if 45 minutes to one hour since your baby has been awake have passed then it&rsquo;s time to sleep! The other clues are crying, fussiness, yawning, stretching, pulling of the ear, rubbing of the eyes, and gazing. If your baby is gazing and is distracted this is a major sign of sleepiness. The baby must be put to sleep immediately, as these signs appear when the baby has been tired for a while, he just decided to share with you now.</p>
<h3><strong>5- Use a white noise machine</strong></h3>
<p>Different options provide white noise to help with newborn sleep. The most popular is the white noise machine, there are also many apps available that can be used with smartphones. White noise blocks any external sound that might interfere with the baby&rsquo;s sleep and reduces the Moro reflex. When using a white noise device, which is considered a great sleeping tool, it should be two meters away from the baby, and the sound should be between fifty to sixty decibels for best efficiency.</p>
<h3><strong>6- The proper light </strong></h3>
<p>There must be a dimmed light around the baby when they sleep during the day, to train the baby&rsquo;s brain that this is daytime, and this is a nap. When the baby awakes from their nap, we celebrate his awakening and open the curtains so that the light comes through the windows. When the baby sleeps at night the room must be pitch dark. Structuring the light this way around the baby&rsquo;s sleep is essential to train the baby to differentiate between night and day, and between a nap and a night&rsquo;s sleep. At two months of age, a baby can sleep in a dark room night and day so that they get used to the dark as part of their sleep environment. Moreover, it is essential to go on with the daily activities when the baby naps during the day, without any disturbing noises.</p>
<h3><strong>7- Designate a sleeping place&nbsp; </strong></h3>
<p>Setting a specific place for the baby to sleep during naptime as well as at night, is an important component in establishing a healthy sleeping habit.</p>
<h3><strong>8- Assist the baby to feel sleepy </strong></h3>
<p>It is imperative not to assist the baby to fall asleep and instead help him to wind down and feel sleepy.&nbsp; The baby must also fall asleep on their own to be able to sleep independently later. We can rock the baby gently to calm them down, but I don&rsquo;t recommend rocking the baby to sleep, the same goes for breastfeeding, and the use of a pacifier, all of these can be sleep aids but not sleep tools.</p>
<h3><strong>9- The use of a pacifier </strong></h3>
<p>The use of pacifiers is highly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as it highly reduces the risk of SIDS. I don&rsquo;t recommend the use of a pacifier right after birth to avoid nipple confusion and to ensure the success of breastfeeding. Later the pacifier can be used to soothe the baby, but I don&rsquo;t recommend keeping it in the baby&rsquo;s mouth while they are asleep. I recommend the cessation of the use of pacifiers at eight or nine months of the baby&rsquo;s age to avoid dependency.</p>
<h3><strong>10- Establishing a bedtime routine </strong></h3>
<p>Preparing the baby to sleep through a fixed pre-set routine is essential to ensure good baby sleep. The bedtime routine is a series of steps that we follow constantly with the baby and later with the child, to prepare them for sleeping. The routine is a transition between sleeping time and daily activities. We can&rsquo;t expect the baby to immediately fall asleep after coming home from an outing and spending time around lights and other stimulants. Some of the steps that can be included in the bedtime routine: are bathing, changing clothes if the baby was out, dimming the light, telling the baby it&rsquo;s time to sleep and with newborn babies the use of a sleep sack, that must be used in all sleeping situations with consistency. A bedtime routine lasts between 15 to 20 minutes, and it can also include a baby massage, singing a lullaby, and reading. The activities of this routine must be quiet and soothing and not stimulating. I recommend starting the bedtime routine as early as possible and to continue with it later while adjusting the steps to meet the child&rsquo;s needs and development. With older children several stories can be read instead of one, we can talk to them about their day and even do puzzles. The bedtime routine is a precious opportunity to bond with children and spend quality time with them while enhancing their language, social and emotional skills</p>
<p><strong>Also, read </strong><a href="https://omooma.com/en/p/how-to-calm-your-colicky-baby/"><strong>How to calm your colicky baby</strong></a></p>

Best newborn sleep tips

<h2><strong>&nbsp;</strong><strong>What is swaddling? </strong></h2>
<p>Swaddling in its most basic form and shape is wrapping the baby, with a swaddle or with a baby blanket. Usually, swaddles are made of muslin, cotton, or any other organic materials. When a baby is swaddled, he has the same feeling, of safety and security, that he used to have while in his <strong><a href="https://omooma.com/en/p/pregnancy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-lovely/">mother&rsquo;s womb</a></strong>. Swaddling makes newborn sleep easier, it also reduces the Moro Reflex, which causes the baby to startle as a reaction to his new environment. More reflex ceases when the baby turns three months or when he starts rolling over.</p>
<h2><strong>Benefits of baby swaddle</strong></h2>
<p>1-It soothes and calms the baby.</p>
<p>2-Improves baby&rsquo;s sleep.</p>
<p>3-Decreases the effect of the Moro Reflex and startling.</p>
<p>4-Swaddling is particularly beneficial with <a href="https://omooma.com/en/p/motherhood-stories-sarahs-experience-with-challenges-and-hope/"><strong>premature babies.</strong></a> Studies have shown that swaddling preemies improves their neuromuscular development. In addition to offering them the security and safety, they need especially since they can&rsquo;t be held by their mothers.<br>[babycare_banner_en]</p>
<h2><strong>Steps to ensure safe swaddling</strong></h2>
<p><strong>1- Back to sleep </strong></p>
<p>The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborn babies must be put to sleep while flat on their backs. This is to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). This recommendation must be applied especially while the baby is swaddled, to reduce the risk of suffocation. Many parents wonder when they should stop swaddling. It is highly recommended to cease swaddling babies at 8-12 weeks of age, as this is the age when babies start rolling over, so if the baby rolls over while swaddled there is a high risk of suffocation.</p>
<p><strong>2- Snug swaddling </strong></p>
<p>This means having the baby&rsquo;s body completely wrapped except for the head. Restrict the baby&rsquo;s movement, which could make him startle and wake up.</p>
<p><strong>3- Baby Monitoring&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>Using a high-quality baby monitor is essential for the baby&rsquo;s protection. Monitoring the baby while asleep in another room is best for sleep safety.</p>
<h2><strong>Types of Swaddles </strong></h2>
<p><strong>1- Ready-made swaddles </strong></p>
<p>These are the best option for new moms, also known as the modern baby wrap, they are designed with zippers or Velcro. They make swaddling much easier. This type of swaddle is made into stage categories; stage one is where the baby is completely swaddled, stage two is where one arm is released, stage three is when we release the second arm, then we transition to a sleep sack and a sleeping bag. It is noteworthy that these swaddles are designed based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.</p>
<p>- You can choose the fabric based on the appropriate TOG (which is the number that tells you how warm the swaddle will keep your baby).</p>
<p><strong>3- Traditional swaddles </strong></p>
<p>Those are basic wraps that are made of cotton, muslin, or any other organic material. These swaddles can also be replaced by a light baby blanket.</p>
<h2><strong>Risks of wrong swaddling </strong></h2>
<p><strong>1- Overheating the baby </strong></p>
<p>Wrongly swaddling the baby can lead to overheating. This happens when the baby is swaddled while wearing several layers underneath the swaddle. It is recommended that the baby wears only one layer of clothing under the swaddle to avoid overheating.</p>
<p><strong>Signs of overheating in babies</strong></p>
<p>- Fast breathing</p>
<p>- Sweaty hair</p>
<p>- Skin rash</p>
<p>- Flushed cheeks</p>
<p>Babies can tolerate temperatures that are three degrees less, than what adults can tolerate, so there is no need to over-layering.</p>
<p><strong>2- Swaddling the baby too tight </strong></p>
<p>Swaddling the baby too tight, especially around the hips can cause hip dislocation. The swaddle must be snug and well wrapped around the baby&rsquo;s arms and shoulders while leaving the hips and thighs somewhat loose so that the baby can wiggle them easily. This ensures the healthy motor development of the baby.</p>
<p><strong>3- Swaddling the baby too loose</strong></p>
<p>When the swaddle is not wrapped properly around the baby&rsquo;s shoulders and arms, this can lead to the baby pulling the swaddle over the face which can increase the risk of suffocation. So, the swaddle must be snug on the top part of the baby&rsquo;s body.</p>
<p><strong>Find out the <a href="https://omooma.com/en/p/best-newborn-sleep-tips/">Best newborn sleep tips</a></strong></p>

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