Three Tips for Dealing with a Sensitive Sleeper
Having a baby that sleeps everywhere, at any time and with ease is every parent’s dream. After all, babies aren’t the only ones in a family that need to sleep. But I think we all know that this isn’t the case with most babies.
When you don’t understand your baby’s sleep patterns, or how to help them sleep better, the frustration can feel overwhelming. Any parent will tell you that what works for one child might not work for another. Learning your baby’s sleep style is essential to providing you with peace of mind – and extra moments of sleep for yourself!
One of the three sleep styles is the sensitive sleeper. This baby is easily affected by changes to their environment, routine or schedule, struggles to fall asleep when overtired, and usually doesn’t react well to typical soothing meant to aid sleep.
If you have a sensitive sleeper you may be feeling overwhelmed when their normal predictable behavior, such as steady nap times, suddenly changes or is out of your control. Especially during summer travel or the holidays, you may be wondering how to manage their sleep patterns.
Here are three of our best tips for dealing with a sensitive sleeper. Whether you have a newborn or toddler you can still use these to help your child get better sleep.
Learn your child’s sleep cues
While your little one is creating their sleep habits, learn what signals they are giving off to indicate they’re ready to sleep. Sensitive sleepers can be fussy when they’ve passed their awake window, making it more difficult to get them to sleep. Does your baby yawn more closely together? Rub their eyes? Prefer to be held in a certain way? Learning their cues will help your little one not only fall asleep quickly and peacefully, but also stay asleep, which means less waking during nap time or night sleeps!
Keep their environment as consistent as possible
Consistency can be as simple as staying on a schedule, playing the same white noise or ambient sounds, and/or letting them nap in the same location as much as possible. Of course we can’t live in the house and there will be times they have to adjust to a new environment. However, if you know you are approaching nap time and on the go, you can create the safest environment possible to help them sleep by knowing what they prefer.
Are you going on vacation or taking a long day trip? Transition your little one to their travel cots or bedding ahead of time! If you’re not able to take a white noise machine with you, begin slowly lowering the volume ahead of travel to wean them from the sound. Think of your sleep routine and make note of anything that will be changed to give you a chance to create necessary adaptations prior to travel or remember to pack the essentials.
Keeping a consistent environment also involves nutrition. Try to keep your feedings to the same time and if your child is older or on solid food, take note of foods that give them more energy or know how quickly they prefer to sleep after eating.
Prepare yourself for crying
Your baby isn’t broken and neither are you! A sensitive sleeper generally doesn’t prefer to be soothed to sleep by rocking or cuddling. They’ll usually calm themselves within ten to fifteen minutes and fall asleep on their own. It’s okay to step away. You’ll get to know your baby and their cries, and be able to tell if it’s tiredness, self soothing, or something indicative of a problem that needs to be addressed.
It is important to remember that your child will adapt to a certain sleeping style. We’ve noticed three dominant sleep patterns: sensitive, attached, and adaptable. Learning your baby’s habits will help you to create a series of habits to make their sleep process more enjoyable all around.
If you’re not sure which sleep style your baby tends to lean towards, take this quiz.
For guidance, feel free to contact us or try our newborn sleep course or 4-12 month sleep course.
Related:
How to follow your baby’s awake windows for better sleep
How to get your baby to go to sleep & stay asleep
How much sleep does your family need?