It's Not All About Sleep

If your baby is on the right schedule, they will have period of active waketime between each nap. I call this time "waketime" and emphasize the importance of finding your little one's optimal waketime in order to see success. Having the right schedule is a great step one, but how do you get there? And what should baby be doing while they are awake?

Tips For Stretching Waketime

Have you checked out my waketime graphic yet? It is the best place to start when trying to nail down your optimal waketime. As your baby grows and develops, they are able to handle longer waketimes between naps. If you don't adjust waketimes, you will start to see shorter naps, disrupted nighttime sleep, and often a cranky baby!

Nine times out of ten, when I start working with a new client- they are working on waketimes that are too short for their age. So how do you move from short waketimes to ones that are optimal and age appropriate?

1. Slow Changes - It is important not to shock baby by making changes too quickly. This is especially important with younger infants. I recommend adding just 10-15 minutes to start if your waketime needs to be extended. After adding a short amount to the waketime, wait 3-5 days before adding any more. During this transition, watch your babies temperament and track nap lengths to see any changes or patterns. This will help you decide if more time needs to be added.

2. Save Favorite Activities - This is a big one! Babies have a SHORT attention span. Often times, parents can confuse boredom signs with tired signals. It is important to keep baby stimulated during waketime and provide a variety of activities for them to explore. By saving your little one's favorite activity, position, or location to use towards the end of waketime, you should see a decrease in fussiness and boredom especially right before the nap.

3. Use a Nap Time Routine - If you have done a basic consultation with me, this was most likely a recommendation I made to you! Having a nap time routine with your little one has a two-fold use when it comes to extending waketime. By using the last 5-10 minutes for a nap time routine you will make those last (usually fussy) minutes before a nap much happier for you and baby. Also, a routine helps baby know what's coming next and keeps the schedule more predictable. When establishing your routine, think about how you'll accomplish this routine when out and about and keep it as simple as possible!

Waketime Activities

When you have nailed down the appropriate waketime for your little one, you still need to figure out what to DO during that time!

1. Tummy Time - Important for developing core strengthen back and neck muscles, develop rolling skills, and can also help to avoid positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). If baby isn't a fan, try tummy time with a mirror, lay baby on your stomach while you lay flat on your back, or lay in front of baby so they can see you.

2. Seated Play - Once your babe has developed neck and core control and is able to sit up, spend some time playing in this position during each waketime. For younger babies I love the Fisher Price Sit Me Up and for older babies and exersaucer is great. You can also accomplish this by sitting baby in your lap and offering a variety of toys.

3. Time to Move- Even with younger infants, take some time during waketime to work on rolling skills, practice independent siting skills, or work the core with "baby sit ups" (when baby is lying flat on their back grasp both their hands and slowly pull them up to a sitting position, gradually allowing them to do more of the work). With older infants allow time to work on crawling skills or assisted walking.

4. Mid-waketime Walk - Often times it can be risky to put baby in a stroller and go for a walk- if baby falls asleep before a scheduled nap it can complicate the rest of the day! To avoid this, I recommend going for a quick walk right in the middle of the waketime. The length of the walk with depend on the length of the waketime, it might just be a quick trip around the block! Getting out of the house and away from toys and activities can help to "re-set" babies interest in toys and activities when you get back home. Plus the vitamin D doesn't hurt!

5. Talk to Baby- This one is obvious for some but a new idea to others! Baby learns SO much from you, talking about what you are doing and what baby is doing helps keep their interest.

6. Keep Things Interesting - It can be easy to fall into a pattern of the same things each day. Try to keep things interesting by assigning a "theme" to each day of the week. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate- but it will help you keep your creativity flowing. An example would be Make It Mondays where you and baby do a simple craft or project during one wake window each Monday. Try: Make It Monday, Take a Trip Tuesday (a day to run errands), Water Wednesday (indoor OR outdoor water themed activities), Reading Thursday (at the library or local book store), and Fun Friday (whatever you want!)

If you need help finding the optimal waketime and perfect schedule for your baby - email me today to get a custom schedule for just $15! thesleepchick@gmail.com