How do I get my baby to sleep longer?
Advice from a Vancouver Sleep Consultant
As a baby sleep consultant, this is one of the top questions I get asked. I get it, you’re exhausted and it seems that all the bouncing, jiggling and shushing isn’t cutting it anymore.
One of the key components to getting your baby to sleep longer stretches is through the use of age appropriate wake windows or awake time.
Wake windows
Wake windows refer to the time awake between sleep. Based on your child’s age these wake windows will vary. It’s important to get to know your baby’s unique wake windows as it will help you get them down for a nap or bed without taking too long to fall asleep. When working with families as a baby sleep coach, I find that one of the most rewarding things is getting these wake windows right. This can be a bit of science, a bit of luck, and a bit of trial and error. But once you get it right, better and longer stretches of sleep during the day and night can often be the outcome. Getting accurate wake windows also makes sleep training that much easier!
Sleepy cues
Sleepy cues are another way we determine when to put our little ones to bed. These are some common sleepy cues:
Rubs eyes, red eyebrows
Stares, looks spacey
Gets clumsy
Yawns and/or hiccups
Gets hyper (silly or irritable)
Explodes into upset, or crying when there appears nothing wrong and it is not a feed time.
Pushing body away from you, or arching back (not in pain).
Although sleepy cues are important, did you know they become less accurate after 4 months old? And often when we see a couple of these cues, baby is already overtired and will either take a long time fall asleep or worst, have a poor sleep.
Once you figure out your child’s age appropriate wake windows, you’ll be better equipped to get them down for bed on time without running the risk of having an overtired baby. Because, let’s be honest no one likes an overtired baby!
Adjusting your baby’s wake windows by 15 minutes can sometimes be enough to get longer and more restorative sleep. I’ve included this wake window guide to help you determine when to put your little one to bed. This is a great starting place if you are wanting your child to sleep better. If you are looking for more help with your baby or toddler’s sleep and want to work with a sleep trainer in the Lower Mainland, I offer in-person and online appointments in Vancouver, BC. Working with a baby sleep coach can empower you to make the necessary changes in your child’s routine that will get your whole family sleeping better :)
