Trial and
Error
Every mother, whether a first-time mom or an experienced
one, has to make those decisions about what’s best for her baby. You can start
out with books by “experts” and of course friends and relatives always have
advice for a new mother and baby.
These are a way to start, but if what you’re doing doesn’t
work, then you have to try something new. Try different things at bedtime to see
what works for you and your baby. She’s unique and not like any other baby,
after all!
You can try different types of foods at night, or the
timing of her last feeding. Are her pajamas soft and not scratchy? Be sure to
use special detergents made just for baby clothes, especially in the beginning.
Can you hang her clothes and bedding outside in the sunshine to dry? Who doesn’t
feel all cozy and comfy when going to sleep in bedding that’s been dried
outside? Just make sure no critters get into the bedding or clothes.
Do you have a ritual at night? Maybe it starts with a nice
bath and then a feeding while holding her close to you. Nothing feels more
wonderful than holding a baby right out of the bath when they have that
wonderful baby smell. It’s just important to make this a pleasant and relaxing
time for both of you, especially when your baby’s very young, in the first
months of her life.
If it takes a long time for your baby to wind down, then
you might need to start your rituals early in the day. If you’ve been playing
with her beforehand, then it might take a little longer to get her to sleep.
Again, those rituals of bath, feeding, talking and singing in a quiet, darkened
room will soon signal bed time for your baby (and hopefully for you too!)
