There are a million and one suggestions, and comments, mom’s receive when they announce, “we’re pregnant.”

These tips can range from how to nurse, when to stop nursing, how to bottle-feed, how to clean the baby’s butt after a diaper rash, and the most annoying, how to get them to sleep.

While all of these recommendations are nice, they need to be taken very lightly. It is really important for the parents of the little one’s to set aside time, to dive into research, chat with pediatricians and safe sleep educators.

Raising a child is important, from day ONE.

Safe Sleep is a great way to start on ensuring that we are 1. keeping our little one’s safe and 2. implementing great sleeping habits that help them become happy and thriving toddlers, and kids.

With full disclosure I was unable to live up to my wants and implement safe and healthy sleeping habits. We co-slept, we let her sleep in the swing, she slept in the carseat (when she would fall asleep) and we even, had blankets…

When we were pregnant with our second we knew, we wanted things to play out differently. So, we implemented new strategies… and THIS is how we created a great sleeper, who slept in her pack n play, from night ONE.

Safe Sleep Night One:

Tip 1:Make a Plan, Review It, Stick With It

We only bought safe sleep products. We stayed away from swings and doc-a-tots. We ensured we bought swaddles and extra sound machines.
Are you going to implement safe sleep?
- Figure out if you are. Once you have an idea then, write it down.
Educate family on your views. Create a spreadsheet for them.
- We would remind family that we needed our little one’s to be back down (on a flat surface) and we would have their plan/routine written out.
Divide and conquer & be a team. Who is going to cover the first night waking shift or the second part of the night waking shift.
- If mom is breastfeeding, make it so where mom can safely feed the baby while still in the bed, and the father handles the diaper change and putting baby back down.
Create a village for during the day. Is there a neighbor to watch the kids for 1-2 hours so you catch up on sleep? Is there a family member to help with the older kids the first few weeks before the newest addition gets adjusted.
- Ask for support.
Be consistent with your plan.
- Things are not going to fall into place after one night. Stay consistent.

Tip 2: Room Preparation

The pack n play was directly beside our bed.
- I could easily pat her back to sleep or hand her the pacifier without having to get out of bed.
- The room was cool (68-72) and pitch black dark.
- There was a sound machine playing white noise.
- We kept a diaper basket beside our bed, as well, with butt paste and my haaka!
  - Have all of your breastfeeding items, bottles near the bed, as well.
  - If the water needs to be heated, have a plan of who is doing what!

Tip 3: Consistent Bedtime Routine

Every night looked the same.
- Nursing Session
- Bath/wipe bath/wash-cloth bath
- diaper and lotion
- swaddle/book
- bed
- Then, implement the newborn strategies called PAUSE (found on my newborn guide).

Tip 4:Ask For Help

There are many, many… MANY sleep consultants that are at the tip of your finger tips. Google, “Sleep Consultant” and you will see!
You can find their sleep philosophy and views on infant sleep.
- WE loved the Sleep Coach we used with our first little lady and purchased more of her resources, for little lady number two!
- We reached out for some support on the facebook support page we were a part of, and were able to get some 1:1 attention to help us with the newborn chaotic sleep.

Safe Sleep is difficult to implement when you are unaware of how to even get started.

Babies are not robots, I needed to be taught this, but it is totally possible to help support them and help them learn amazing sleeping habits from NIGHT one.

Sleep Deprivation does not need to be a part of your story.

I’d love to be a part of your family’s sleep journey. Book a FREE call with me!