6 Baby Sleep Tips That Adults Can Use Too

6 Baby Sleep Tips That Adults Can Use Too

At first glance, you and your baby might seem pretty different. There’s the height thing, of course. And the difference in speaking abilities. Oh, and the fact that, unlike adults, babies can rock footed pajamas like nobody’s business.

But, when it comes to sleep, you and your baby are actually more alike than you think. In fact, a lot of the good sleep advice out there for babies makes just as much sense for adults.

With that in mind, here are six sleep tips that can help both babies and adults get a better night’s sleep:

Tip 1 – Sleep in one place

Predictability is a good thing when it comes to sleep – it makes you feel safe and secure. Babies need just one designated space that cues sleep. Adults too. If you’re used to getting sleep in multiple places – i.e. the bedroom, the guest room, the couch, your car, under the dining room table – pick one spot and mark it as your sleep territory.

Tip 2 – Keep things routine

Following the same bedtime routine every night preps your body for sleep. For little ones, that routine might include a bedtime book and a bath. For you, it might be caffeine-free tea and a Nicholas Sparks book. Even if you don’t have time to read an epic North Carolina romance, though, try to keep the same sleep and wake-up times. According to the Mayo Clinic, that consistency “reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.”

Tip 3 – Perfect the sleep environment

Environment is everything for sleep. Both baby’s nursery and your bedroom should be kept extra dark – to cue the body’s release of melatonin – and at a comfortable temperature. Soothing wall colors and decor themes are always a good idea. And, white noise is basically everyone’s best friend.

Tip 4 – Turn off the screens

Stimulation before bedtime is a no-no – all those glowing tablet and TV screens can be a nightmare for sleep. Instead, try adopting a “no screens” policy for the whole family about an hour or half an hour before bedtime.

Tip 5 – Watch the naps

What happens during the day doesn’t stay in the day. If your infant is sleeping too much or too little in the daytime, their evening sleep could be thrown out of whack. Similarly, if you’re taking one too many post-lunch naps, you’re going to feel it at night. “Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep – especially if you’re struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality at night,” the Mayo Clinic says. “If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the midafternoon.”

Tip 6 – Give sleep R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Your baby’s schedule revolves around sleep, it’s just that important. So important that your schedule revolves around it too! But that doesn’t mean your sleep should take a backseat. Make healthy sleep habits a priority for everyone in the family. After all, good sleep is what fuels your parenting.

If that seems like an impossible dream, have no fear. Check out the many ways Nanit can help the whole family sleep better here.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Natalie Barnett, PhD serves as VP of Clinical Research at Nanit. Natalie initiated sleep research collaborations at Nanit and in her current role, Natalie oversees collaborations with researchers at hospitals and universities around the world who use the Nanit camera to better understand pediatric sleep and leads the internal sleep and development research programs at Nanit. Natalie holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of New England in Australia and a Postgraduate Certificate in Pediatric Sleep Science from the University of Western Australia. Natalie was an Assistant Professor in the Neurogenetics Unit at NYU School of Medicine prior to joining Nanit. Natalie is also the voice of Nanit's science-backed, personalized sleep tips delivered to users throughout their baby's first few years.

Kristy Ojala is Nanit’s Digital Content Director. She spends way too much time looking at maps and weather forecasts and pictures of Devon Rex cats and no-cook dinners. A former sleep champion, she strives to share trustworthy somnabulism tips with other parents—praying for that one fine day when no tiny humans wake her up while it’s still dark out. Her kids highly recommend 3 books, approximately 600 stuffies, Chopin’s “Nocturnes,” and the Nanit Sound + Light for bedtime success.

Mackenzie Sangster is on the Brand and Community team at Nanit. She supports content development and editing for Nanit’s Parent Confidently blog as well as other marketing initiatives. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, cooking, being active, and using the Pro + Flex Duo to keep an eye on her fur-baby, Poppy!

Holly Hays is a contributor and writer for Nanit, channeling her years as a mama and former magazine editor to create fun, useful content for fellow busy, trying-to-do-their-best parents and caregivers. Holly has written for a wide range of brands and media outlets (Ergobaby, HGTV, Manhattan Toy Company, OXO), loves to cook and read mystery novels, and leans heavily on her two daughters to keep her up to date on all the latest slang.