How to stop night wakings?
First of all you want to make sure that you establish a good consistent bedtime routine. Getting your baby into a bedtime routine is all about consistency. Wake up at consistent times, feed your baby at the same time each day, and pretty soon, your baby will be on a consistent schedule.
Bedtime routines help children connect with their natural circadian rhythms, learn how to calm themselves down, and practice healthy habits that promote good sleep.
Step 1- Get rid of any sleep props-
If you’re feeding, rocking your baby to sleep or rubbing your child’s back until he is asleep, he isn’t learning how to do it on his own.
Self-settling simply means he is able to put himself to sleep consistently at the start of his naps and bedtime without any help from you. He will also be able to resettle himself when he wakes between sleep cycles, both day and night.
Step 2- Responding at night-
What should you do when your baby wakes up at night?
I would recommend waiting at least 10 minutes before you go in and continue with your chosen sleep training method.
Wondering why to wait? Your little one could still be asleep.
Babies often cry from their sleep, and we go in and wake them up.
These are called partial arousals, and usually last about 10 minutes. If your baby has had months of poor sleep habits, these partial arousals are even more common.
Step 3- Starting the day-
Keeping everything in the day very consistent and getting your little one up at the same time each morning will help the baby get on a consistent daily routine sooner as well as sleeping through the night sooner.
To get started, decide what is a reasonable time to start your day each day.
When deciding what time is best for you to start each day, consider these things:
Baby’s age (younger babies can’t go as long through the night)
Baby’s temperament
Constraints in your day (do you go work? School drop off/ pick ups etc.)
Step 4- After you get your little one out of her cot, wait about 10 minutes before bottle or nursing.
It is highly recommended that you do not feed them immediately.
We don't want to give any indication that this could possibly be a night-feed.
In the morning, we get up, bright and cheerful and get going…and then have our feed.