Your Baby this Week
Your child will most likely be able to sit up while propped up by blankets or pillows. If he is able to do so for short periods of time without slumping forward or directly down to the side, by all means, let him enjoy the new scenery that comes with sitting in an upright position on the floor or next to you in the comfort of your couch. A typical newborn sleeps 16 to 18 hours a day. Most babies are physically able to sleep through the night that is sleeping for at least six to eight hours at a stretch any time between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months of age. Exactly when this magical milestone happens, varies significantly, depending both on the child’s individual development and the healthy sleep habits you have entered. Establish a consistent bedtime routine. Doing things the same way every night around the same time, will help your child get the idea that sleep is expected soon. Set the scene for some more sleep. When you put your baby to bed, turn off the lights and close the curtains. Use a real candle or a night light to give you just enough light to see. Keep your room quiet, or use something like a cooling fan, a white noise machine or a lullaby CD to block out sounds from the rest of the house. Establish a set bedtime and stick to it. Establish a regular bedtime, as it can help to regulate your baby’s sleep patterns. Choose a reasonable bedtime that suits the family’s schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
