The No Cry Nap Solution (30 page)

your baby, and then lay your baby down on the nice, warm bed.

Keep your hand on your baby’s tummy for a minute or two and

then slowly move your hand away. This gradual transition can

help your baby accept his bed for naptime.

Wait Until Your Baby Is Sleeping and

Gently Turn Him Over

If your baby truly resists back sleeping yet you know that he is

overtired and needing a nap, you can stay with him while he falls

asleep on his tummy, and when he is asleep, gently turn him over.

This isn’t the best overall solution, since you don’t want to have to

be involved in your baby’s every nap or run the risk of leaving him

to sleep on his tummy. You also don’t want to encourage tummy

sleeping. However, when your baby is overtired, this can be a help-

ful temporary solution.

Monitor Your Baby’s Health

A baby who is suffering from refl ux, an ear infection, or other

health problem might be resisting sleep for this reason. If your

baby seems physically uncomfortable with back sleeping, talk it

over with your health care provider.

190 Solving Napping Problems

Talk to Your Doctor About a Compromise:

Side Sleeping

In most cases, side sleeping is a very distant second choice to back

sleeping, but if your baby absolutely will not sleep on his back, you

can discuss this option with your health care provider. Ask if a

specialty sleeping wedge or tightly rolled baby blanket can be used

to hold your baby in this position.

Provide Lots and Lots
and Lots
of Daytime

Tummy Playtime

Tummy sleeping becomes safe when your baby is able to have full

control of her head, arms, and body, moving freely from tummy

to side to back. To encourage this development, give your baby

plenty of fl oor time to develop her muscle control.

Create a safe place on the fl oor with a clean mat. Surround

your baby with toys. And get down there with him! Nothing will

motivate your baby more than a loving playmate.

Keep Your Baby’s Bed Safe

Finally, if you still choose to have your baby sleep on her tummy

despite everything you’ve read, heard, and been told—or if your

doctor has approved this position—make certain that your baby’s

mattress is even, fi rm, and fl at. Every time you put her to bed,

check to be sure that the sheets are clean, smooth, and tightly

secured. Don’t put any pillows, blankets, or toys in bed with her.

Remove bumper pads, and be sure your mattress fi ts properly in

the crib. If you have concerns, ask your doctor or hospital about

renting a sophisticated device that monitors baby’s sound, move-

ment, and breathing. (These should never be used without a doc-

tor’s supervision.)

Helping Your Newborn Tummy Sleeper Go “Back to Sleep”
191

Now That Your Baby Is Sleeping on

Her Back

Congratulations! Your baby is now an offi cial back sleeper. As

soon as your baby gains control of her body movements and is

able to hold her head up and master rolling back and forth on her

own, she’ll be free to sleep in whatever position she fi nds most

comfortable. In the meantime, look over the pointers on page 171

to protect your baby’s head from developing a fl at spot, a potential

but avoidable side effect caused by back sleeping.

Back Sleeping at Day Care or

with Babysitters

If your baby naps while under the care of a babysitter, relative, or

day care provider, you’ll want to discuss back sleeping with these

adults. Not all child care centers have policies on infant sleep

positions; or even when they do, not all child care providers abide

by the guidelines. Babies who are not used to sleeping on their

stomachs are at a particularly high risk for SIDS when placed in

this position at day care. Check on the policies in your center, and

be sure that they are placing your baby in the proper sleep position

as recommended by specialists and your doctor.

This Phase Passes Quickly

Even if your newborn never adjusts happily to back sleeping, you

can take heart in knowing that this is a temporary issue. In a few

weeks when your baby is able to better control his body, he’ll be

safe sleeping in whatever position he desires.

How to Use Swaddling

for Naptime

See also: The Nap Resister: When Your Child Needs

a Nap but Won’t Take One; Swinging, Bouncing,

Vibrating, or Gliding: Making the Transition

from Motion Sleep to Stationary Sleep

My newborn was swaddled at the hospital. Now

that we’re home, should we continue to swaddle

her? When should we wean her from it and how?

Swaddling your baby is a fantastic way to calm her and help her

to nap better and longer because it creates a womblike feeling:

she’s snugly tucked in and warmly embraced on all sides. In addi-

tion, since your baby’s arms and legs are tucked tightly, this can

prevent the startle refl ex from waking her up from her nap before

she’s ready to be awake. Swaddling can be especially helpful as a

nap aid if your baby is colicky or fussy.

How to Swaddle Your Baby

If you’re new to swaddling, it can be a bit confusing. However,

when you’ve done it a few times, it will become effortless. Your

baby might also require a little bit of time to adjust to swaddling,

so allow him a few practice times before you decide if this is a good

choice for your infant’s naptime.

You’ll need a blanket that’s not too much bigger than your

newborn—a square receiving blanket is the perfect size. Its fabric

192

How to Use Swaddling for Naptime
193

should be lightweight and breathable. Try swaddling a few times

when your baby is happy so that you’re not struggling with a fussy

or rigid baby—or try swaddling a doll, stuffed animal, or a friend’s

experienced baby fi rst. Everybody’s method is a little different, but

here are the basic directions (see illustrations on the next page):

1. On a stable surface (such as a bed or clean fl oor), lay the

blanket out in front of you so it’s shaped like a diamond.

Fold down the top corner. Place baby in the middle of the

blanket with his head lying on top of the folded corner.

2. Hold your baby’s right arm down against his body. Pull the

left corner of the blanket across baby and over his right

arm so that it’s snug but not too tight. Tuck this corner

under his body on the other side.

3. Bring your baby’s left arm to his side, and bring the blan-

ket’s bottom corner up and tuck it under his left shoulder.

4. Pull the upper edge of the blanket down over his left shoul-

der, and bring the right corner across baby, keeping both

his arms down against his body.

5. Pull the tail of the blanket around your baby like a belt,

and tuck it in where it fi ts to prevent the blanket from

unwrapping, or simply hold your baby or position him so it

remains snug.

A veteran parent, a nurse, your doula, your lactation consul-

tant, or your doctor can give you a swaddling demonstration if you

can’t seem to get it right. It can seem like a complicated process,

but once you’ve seen it done a few times, you’ll get the hang of it.

And both you and your baby should enjoy the calming results.

Tips for Safe and Happy Swaddling

• When swaddling your baby, you’ll want her toasty warm,

not hot. To check your baby’s temperature, slide your hand

inside the swaddle to her chest and belly. She should feel

comfortably warm, not hot or sweaty. Modify the thickness