The New Baby and Sleep  Every new parent is familiar with this: The Sleepless Night. You've tried everything. You've fed the baby, you've sung all the babies favorite songs twice, you've checked the diaper three times, but your baby cries everytime you think he is almost asleep. The problem: It's almost morning and it is almost time for you, or your partner, to get ready for work.Will you get any sleep before morning? When a baby cries at night, it's common to want to comfort the baby, no one wants to feel like a bad parent for not checking on the baby. However, Dr. Mark Yarbrough, Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Payne-Whitney Clinic, cautioned against doing this. His advice was to take a little time in responding.... Training your baby in proper sleep is important. In some cultures, it is common for the children to sleep in the same bed as the parent. But in other cultures, it is common for everyone to sleep in separate beds. A baby can get used to this, but it can take time. Here are some ideas for how to get good sleep, and take care of a newborn: -
When your baby takes a nap, take a break for a nap for yourself. -
Check your baby's bed and bedding. Double check that it is comfortable, and gives proper support. -
Consider if your own mattress needs replaced. This is not a luxury! You'll spend 1/3rd your life (ok, a little less than that for a while until the baby sleeps through the night), on your mattress, it should be good! -
Until the baby is asleep, don't return repeatedly to your own bed. Try to read a book, or quietly relax. Go to bed when you can finally sleep, thus keeping disturbances of your partner to a minimum. -
Check the temperature. Sometimes a change in temperature can be very distracting. -
Make some rituals that you follow carefully. Tuck the child in the same way each time, position the child in the same place, etc. All of these things help give the child cues that it is time to sleep. Other interesting resources: babies, baby clothes, baby toys, newborns, parenting, daycare, babysitting
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