11/21/2023
For the first three months, your only job is to survive and keep your baby alive. But if you want to lay the foundation for independent sleep down the road, here is what I recommend!
🌙 Get your baby used to sleeping on a firm flat surface (crib or bassinet) as much as possible. By all means, savor those sweet contact naps, but consider avoiding napping in the swing or doc a tot so that you don’t have to then transition away from those devices.
🌙 Use positive sleep associations such as a bedtime routine, swaddle, white noise, etc to help indicate to your baby that the time for sleep is approaching.
🌙 Offer full feeds every 2-3 hours. The more calories consumed during the day, the less are required overnight
🌙 An eat play sleep routine provides structure and predictability to yours and your baby’s day. It also helps you better understand what your baby needs at any given time.
🌙 Most importantly, cut yourself some slack. Things don’t have to be perfect and they won’t be. Experiment with these tips when possible, but call it quits if it doesn’t go well. Your needs and your baby’s needs are so great in the first three months. Prioritize both your physical and mental health first. Independent sleep can wait.