Silver Cross, together with leading sleep consultant Maryanne Taylor from The Sleep Works, share top tips to encourage better sleep for little ones.
BEDROOM
Make sure that your child’s bedroom is warm, comfortable and soothing. A room temperature of 16-20°C is recommended, which often feels cooler than most people would expect.
During the summer months, if your baby’s room gets too hot, close the curtains and open a window to allow a breeze to flow through the room and ensure that the cot is not in direct sunlight.
Use a small plug-in night light if your child appears to be nervous in the dark. Blackout blinds or curtains help to keep all external light out, which is particularly important to prevent early rising and help ensure good daytime naps.
SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT
Keep your baby’s sleep space plain and simple, without heavy bedding, pillows or too many toys. A few soft toys at the bottom of the cot is fine but avoid overloading it.
The baby’s mattress should be firm and free from tears and sagging, which is why it is always advisable to use a new mattress for a new baby.
Silver Cross’ Double Comfort Plus and Double Comfort Plus Care cot mattresses are a great choice, thanks to the pocket Babysprings which provide flexible, targeted support. The reversible design provides a firmer sleep side for infants aged 0-18 months and a softer sleep side suitable from 18 months and above.
The cot mattresses have a 100% waterproof inner and a washable, temperature regulating cover which promotes airflow and breathability for a fresh and clean sleeping environment.
NIGHTWEAR
To ensure your baby’s head is always kept uncovered by clothing or bedding, use a lightweight well-fitting sleeping bag rather than loose fitting sheets or blankets.
Silver Cross has a range of sleepsuits to match its baby bedding collections. Each one is made from 100% cotton to keep baby at a comfortable temperature, with a soft touch jersey lining for added comfort.
BEDTIME ROUTINE
Make bedtime the same time each day to regulate your child’s body clock. A bedtime routine is a powerful cue leading up to sleep time and should take place in the room in which your baby sleeps.
It should be simple, comforting and predictable with calming and quiet activities, such as lullabies and simple rhyming stories, all of which will help your baby to wind down before going to sleep.
FALLING ASLEEP
Help your baby to gradually learn how to fall asleep independently without always needing a sleep ‘prop such as being fed or rocked to sleep.
At bedtime, put your child into their cot drowsy but awake, so they are aware of their sleeping environment. If they are always put down fully asleep, they will be less likely to be able to settle themselves when they wake during the night.
An attachment to a security object or ‘lovey’ can help your child feel safe and secure and help to soothe them back to sleep if they wake during the night. For babies, this should be something which has breathable material and is suitable from birth.
SLEEP ON THE GO
For naps in a pushchair, ensure your baby is lying flat and doesn’t get too hot. Silver Cross pram systems are ideal, with roomy lie-flat carrycots and luxurious mattresses with bamboo liners, which naturally help to regulate temperature and have anti-bacterial properties.
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