Sleepsack Sleeping
5 ways to get your baby to go to sleep and stay asleep longer Part 2
5 ways to get your baby to go to sleep and stay asleep longer
It's a basic fact, children need sleep. As parents we want to do everything we can to make sure our little ones fall asleep and stay asleep for longer. There are tons of sleep advice books and tools out there, but before you spend too much money on something that may not work, we figured we'd publish the second of our four part series on things you can do to help your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep longer:
- Set predictable and consistent nap routines: Choose times of the day that you are most tired and lie down with your baby to get him used to a daytime nap routine. This will let you get some much-needed daytime rest and develop a pattern of rest within your baby. The saying "sleep begets sleep" is true; babies who have a consistent routine of daytime naps are more likely to sleep for longer stretches at night.
- Consistent bedtimes and rituals: Babies who have a consistent bed time and enjoy familiar going-to-bed rituals usually go to sleep easier and stay asleep longer. Yet, because of modern lifestyles, consistent and early bedtimes are sometimes not realistic or as achievable as they used to be. Two-income parents often don't get home until six or seven o'clock in the evening, and following a bedtime routine after this time can sometimes seem impossible. Familiar bedtime rituals set the baby up for sleep. The sequence of a warm bath, dressing in a sleepsack, nursing/bottle and quiet time are all cues that, when repeated, let the baby know that sleep is expected to follow. Capitalize early on patterns of association so you can reap the benefit as your baby grows.
- Dress for the occasion: In the early months, many babies like to "sleep tight", securely swaddled in a baby blanket. Older infants like to "sleep loose", and may sleep longer stretches in a Sleep Sack that allows more freedom of movement. Make sure that the swaddle or sleep sack you use is made of a natural fabric such as merino, which has temperature regulating properties and will insulate baby when the temperature drops or cool if baby gets too warm. Merino is also naturally hypoallergenic and will not cause heat rashes or irritate sensitive skin, unlike manmade fabrics such as polyester which have undergone a number of abrasive processes and often have synthetic flame retardant chemicals applied to them. A baby who gets too hot or too cold may become restless, so it's important to dress them in appropriate sleepwear to ensure longer periods of rest. for conditions and on themay have coatings on thema number of synthetic coatings.
- Quiet in the bedroom: Since most babies can block out disturbing noise, you don't have to create a noiseless sleeping environment, but some babies will startle and awaken easily with sudden noises. For these babies, oil the hinges of the door, put out the dog before he barks and turn the ringer off the phone.
- Darkness in the bedroom: Use opaque shades, block out blinds or dark curtains to give you an extra hour of sleep if you have little roosters who awaken to the first ray of sunlight in the morning.
Dressing your baby in a merino sleep sack each night creates a sleep association that tells baby it's time to relax and sleep is to follow. Merino is the optimum fabric for babies to sleep in because it can regulate body temperature and wick away excess body moisture, ensuring your baby is comfortable and will not overheat.
Look for Part 3 in our four part series on tips to get your baby to sleep and stay asleep longer.
About the Author
Francis Frost is the owner of Module Marketing in Auckland New Zealand. He is the new father of a 1 year old boy and an advocate of using merino and baby sleep sacks, especially the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag. With its award winning design, merino fabric and outstanding function the Merino Kids baby sleep sack is second to none.
Backpacker's Gear School: Wash A Sleeping Bag
 |
 DREAM SO SOFT SLEEP SACK $17.89 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 26m Buy It Now for only: $17.89 Buy It Now |
 Lot of 2 Carters Boy Fleece Sleep Sacks 0 9 Months Gently Used $3.99 Time Remaining: 32m |
 Neiman Marcus Baby Lulu Honey Dew flower sleep sack Receiving Blanket set NB $24.99 Time Remaining: 1h 15m |
 LONG SILK SLEEPING BAG LINER CAMPING HOSTEL SLEEP SACK $24.50 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 48m Buy It Now for only: $24.50 Buy It Now |
 Sexy Shiny Metallic Black Sleep Sack Body Bag Sleepsack Bodybag Zentai Small $49.99 Time Remaining: 5h 40m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now |
 ADULT TRAVEL SLEEP SACK NAPSACK Pillow Case BLUE New Fast Free Shipping $19.95 Time Remaining: 16d 1h 57m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now |
 NEW TWO 2 GRAND TRUNK SILK SLEEP SACKS $19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 39m |
 Kaloo Sleep Sack bag Blue Large $40.00 Time Remaining: 3h |
 NIP ADEN + ANAIS 4 LAYER COZY SLUMBER SLEEPING BAG SLEEPSACK ALPHA BIT LETTERS $35.95 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 21m Buy It Now for only: $35.95 Buy It Now |
 Infant Halo Sleep Sack Micro Fleece Blanket Sleeper Size S 0 6 M Unisex NEW $17.99 Time Remaining: 5h 32m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 Cute Rene Rofe Newborn Sleep Sack Lot of 2 Twins A51 $16.95 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 10m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 Buy It Now |
 Halo Sleepsack Sleeping Bag Wearable Baby Boy Girl Ivory Soft Swadlle Blanket $3.81 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 44m |
 Lot of 2 Green Halo Sleep Sacks Wearable Blankets Size Medium boy girl unisex $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 40m |
 Halo SleepSack Swaddle NB 6 12 lbs Micro Fleece 19 23 Ivory Back To Sleep $6.99 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 49m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now |
 Newborn girl Sleep sack lot $2.54 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 30m |
 NWT Mad Sky Baby Girls Gown Bunting Sleep Sack + Hat Newborn 0 3 Months Gift $34.99 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 Buy It Now |
 Halo Baby Sleep Sack $5.00 Time Remaining: 22h 47m |
 MOSSY OAK CAMOUFLAGE INFANT SLEEPER CAMO BABY SLEEP SACK $13.95 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 24m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 Buy It Now |
 Multifunction Baby Swaddle Blanket Sleeping Bag Wrap Sleep Sack Easy Wrapping $7.99 Time Remaining: 10h 52m |
 Unisex Aden Anais muslin Sleep Sack Blue White Brown $11.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 3h 47m |
 NEW American Girl Bitty Baby Sleep Sack Gown Sleeper Green Checked Retired $21.95 Time Remaining: 29d 37m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 Buy It Now |
 Kiddopotamus sleep sack by Swaddle Me $6.99 Time Remaining: 3h 55m |
 New Baby Infant Sleeping Bag Horn Wrap Swaddle Me Sleepsack Blanket Duvet $7.74 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 33m Buy It Now for only: $7.74 Buy It Now |
 Kiddopotamus sleep sack by Swaddle Me $6.99 Time Remaining: 3h 55m |
 Halo Sleepsack Sleeping Bag Wearable Baby Boy Girl Brown Minky Swadlle Blanket $5.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 43m |
 Aden and Anais Baby Cozy 4 Layer Heavy Sleeping Bag Sleep Sack Sleeper Boy Girl $45.00 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 19m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now |
 Halo Sleep Sack Swaddle Wearable Blanket Newborn Micro Fleece $0.99 Time Remaining: 4h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 Buy It Now |
 New Baby SwaddleMe Slumbersack Sleep Sack Sleeveless Medium 16 to 26 lbs Safari $17.99 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 3m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 Buy It Now |
 Infant Boys 0 9 Months Carters SLeep Sack VGUC $4.99 Time Remaining: 3h 25m |
 NEW Infant Boy Halo Sleep Sack Micro Fleece Blanket Sleeper Size M 6 12 Mos $17.99 Time Remaining: 5h 33m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 Aden Anais Muslin Sleeping Bag Breathable Sleep Sack New NWT girls boys small $19.00 Time Remaining: 16d 20h 22m Buy It Now for only: $19.00 Buy It Now |
 Summer Slumber Sack Wearable Blanket NEW Sleep Sack Sma $9.99 Time Remaining: 5h 44m |
 Aden and Anais Wearable Blanket Sleeping Bag Sleep Sack Cotton Muslin Boy Girl + $19.95 Time Remaining: 13d 4h 39m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now |
 Carters Fleece 2 SLEEP SACKS Sleepsacks size 0 9 Boys Girls Ducks Animals EUC $5.24 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 26m |
 New Aden and Anais Baby Muslin Lightweight Sleeping Bag Sleep Sack Boy Girl $32.00 Time Remaining: 11d 6h Buy It Now for only: $32.00 Buy It Now |
 Boys Carters Sleep Sack Lot of 4 NWOT 0 9 months $15.00 Time Remaining: 4h 12m |
 Baby sleepsack blue sz small 0 6 months Back To Sleep $5.00 Time Remaining: 7h 46m Buy It Now for only: $7.00 Buy It Now |
 BABY SLEEPING BAG PEA IN A POD OUTFIT SLEEPSACK $12.99 Time Remaining: 11d 19h 16m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 Le Roi YELLOW BABY SLEEP SACK Birth NEWBORN 6 Mos NEW W TAG Flowers 100 POLY $7.50 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 44m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 Buy It Now |
 NWT Infant Newborn Boys Sleep Sack Bag Fleece Pajama Carters Safari White 0 9 m $16.99 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 15m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now |
 Kissy Kissy Boys Convertible sleep sacklongtall Christening White w blue NWT $19.99 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 25m |
 Kissy Kissy Boys Convertible sleep sacklongtall Christening White w blue NWT $19.99 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 27m |
 ADEN + and ANAIS CLASSIC MUSLIN SLEEPING BAG SLEEP SACK $29.90 Time Remaining: 24d 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $29.90 Buy It Now |
 Baby Boy Lot 0 3 months Halo Sleep Sack Osh kosh okie dokie more $15.00 Time Remaining: 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now |
 aden+anais SLEEPING BAG 100 Cotton Muslin Sleep Sack Small 10 18 lbs MONKEYS $17.49 Time Remaining: 23d 5h 53m Buy It Now for only: $17.49 Buy It Now |
 BNWOT Halo Sleep Sack XL 18 24m $10.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 3h 3m |
 Baby Boys Pajamas Sleep Sack From Carters Size 0 3 Months $2.00 Time Remaining: 10h 20m Buy It Now for only: $2.25 Buy It Now |
 ADULT TRAVEL SLEEP SACK NAPSACK PILLOW CASE PINK New Fast Free Shipping $19.95 Time Remaining: 16d 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now |
 Boys 0 3 Months Sleep Sack Bath Robe Outfit Carters Okie Dokie US Polo $8.15 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 52m |
 NWT Infant Newborn Girls Sleep Sack Bag Fleece Pajama Carters Clouds Pink 0 9 m $14.99 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 14m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Girls Light Pink Halo Sleep Sack size Small 0 6 months 10 18 LBs $1.04 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 42m |
 Halo Innovations Big Kids SleepSack Wearable Blanket Comfort Mesh, Blue, 2T- 3T List Price: Sale Price: $19.00 You save: $5.95 (24%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product  |
 Halo Innovations Big Kids SleepSack Wearable Blanket Micro Fleece, Fuchisa, 2T- 3T List Price: Sale Price: $20.37 You save: $4.58 (18%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionHALO Big Kids SleepSackWearable Blanket Designed for toddlers, the Big Kids SleepSackprovides comfort and routine for the child. It provides the same comforting feeling that the child had with the original SleepSack... |
 Grand Trunk Silk Sleep Sack Sale Price: $40.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTired of sleepless nights at the campsite, whether because your sleeping bag isn't warm enough or you're just plain fussy? Turn to the Silk Sleep Sack from Travel Hammock, a 100-percent silk sleeping bag liner that's designed to keep you cozy on chilly nights... |
 Manhattan Toy Snuggle Sleep Sack for Baby Stella List Price: Sale Price: $14.25 You save: $5.74 (29%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis sweet snuggler features a pocket and includes a soft tethered bunny pal. Measures 11"L x 17"W x 2.83"H. |
 Halo Innovations Princess Disney Cotton Sleepsack, Pink, Medium List Price: Sale Price: $20.37 You save: $4.63 (19%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe HALO® SleepSackTM is recommended by leading SIDS and safety organizations internationally, and is used in over 400 hospitals in the U.S. A portion of every sale is contributed to First Candle/SIDS Alliance... |
 Halo Innovations SleepSack Wearable Cotton Blankets, Baby Blue, X-Large List Price: Sale Price: $17.49 You save: $7.50 (30%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionFeatures:Soft wearable blanket that replaces loose blankets in the cribThe wearable blanket recommended by First Candle/SIDS AllianceReduces the risk of rebreathing (the inhalation of carbon dioxide), which has been associated as a possible cause of sudden infant death syndromeGenerous sack design allows room for kicking, but can?t be kicked off so baby stays warm all nightInverted zipper makes diaper changes easy, won?t pinch baby?s skin and makes it harder for an older child to unzipSleeveless design allows for ventilation and reduces the risk of rebreathing into sleeveEmbroidered Back to Sleep message reminds caregivers to place baby on his or her backSlips on easily over a regular sleeper or diaperMachine washable and dryable with like colorsMade of 100% flame-resistant cotton Size Chart: X-Small - Newborn - 19" to 23" - 5 lbs... |
 Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag, 0-2 years, Fairy Rose Sale Price: $119.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe 100% natural Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag is the world's finest baby sleep sack. Its remarkable natural merino fabric and award-winning design help your baby to sleep safely through the night.Crafted from superfine allergy-safe merino wool, the Merino Kids baby sleep sack is luxuriously soft and light upon your baby's body... |
 Halo Innovations Sleepsack Swaddle 100% Cotton, Cream, Small List Price: Sale Price: $19.00 You save: $5.95 (24%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe HALO® SleepSackTM is recommended by leading SIDS and safety organizations internationally, and is used in over 400 hospitals in the U.S. A portion of every sale is contributed to First Candle/SIDS Alliance... |
 Halo Innovations Sleepsack Wearable Blanket Micro Fleece, Baby Blue, X Large List Price: Sale Price: $19.00 You save: $5.99 (24%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionHALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket The HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket is the only blanket on the market this customized to fit a range of sizes to ensure safety for all infants. Its design is making consumers and vendors alike rethink the idea of a baby blanket... |
