Many new parents are familiar with the sleep deprivation that accompanies the arrival of a new baby. From midnight feedings and toilet breaks to fitful starts, babies can be hard to predict, and even harder to settle into a comfortable, repeatable routine.

The below list is by no means exhaustive, but can provide you with an excellent armoury in the initial days and weeks of developing healthy sleep patterns for your baby - and for your family.

Small Wonders

In the fight for rest (rather than unrest), small wonders such as a night-light, monitor or a baby sleep aid can help to form an arsenal against sleepless nights, and usher in a more comfortable, peaceful baby. These devices are cheap to run, easy to set up, and provide you with priceless moments of quality rest and recuperation.

A baby sleep aid combines the functionality of multiple common gadgets in order to create a one-piece, best practice device to help you through the most testing, trying early days. If you’re yet to purchase any baby sleeping gadgets, this is the best place to start.

Climate Change

Small bodies are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature, and it’s important to spend time creating a space for your baby where they’re able to rest in a consistently comfortable and temperature controlled environment. This quite often goes against the small, recently-painted nursery image we’re taught is only proper for a new born baby.

Optimal climate control doesn’t necessarily mean having to install expensive ducted reverse-cycle heating and cooling. Climate control can be as simple as ensuring that draughts and breezes are minimised, and intense, direct light and heat is effectively filtered before reaching your baby.

Keeping extra layers (made from natural, breathable fibres) such as blankets and throws on hand is another effective (and cheap) way to keep your baby resting easy, with any significant financial outlay.

Near & Dear

Depending on where you stand (or sleep) on the issue, co-sleeping can be a great way to foster intimacy and calm in your baby, while also providing you with the assurance that comes from having your help at literal arms length.  

Co-sleeping involves creating a space in your bed where you can cradle your baby to sleep, providing them with the body warmth and cues that they’re used to receiving in-utero. This is a natural (and very old) way to transition your baby into the world, and involves little more than your patience and care (and body heat). It does come with some elevated risks, so it’s important to understand how to best manage these before deciding to go down this path.

A Breath Of Fresh Air

Sometimes the best way to reset sleep patterns in adults can also be helpful in creating a more restful, sleepy baby. In the case of fresh air, it can provide your baby with the same comfort and refreshment that it brings to you. As young babies are particularly prone to breathing issues, it’s important to make sure that there’s a source of clean, not-too-dry air.

Vaporisers and humidifiers can help to create more comfortably breathed air by adding water vapour and scent. These additions can ease discomfort in both the lungs and respiratory system, as well as creating a more pleasant temperature and ambiance. When using vaporisers, it’s important to only use natural, organic oils. Chemicals are not only dangerous and untested on babies, they can also irritate their fragile skin and lungs, leading to issues in the future.  

Creating a sleeping routine for your baby means having a relaxing space which is conducive to peaceful, quality rest. For maximum success, some basic preparations (such as climate control and airflow management) and the purchase of helping devices such as vaporisers and humidifiers, you can help to ensure your baby is getting optimally healthy and happy sleep.